We have an Enemy

We have an enemy, whose name was Lucifer, son of the morning (i.e., son of the dayspring), that is, he was created by Jesus, to reflect light as the moon does the Sun.  But Lucifer was not the Light.

Isa 14:12-15
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

You will notice the five "I will" statements.  Lucifer moved in pride trying exalt self over God. 

We refer to him as Satan (which means the adversary (who attacks)) and the Devil (the slanderer (who lies), the accuser).

Luke 10:18-19
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 

Rev 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

He seeks to Kill You

The devil is not a respecter of persons.  He seeks to kill and destroy every person on the face of the earth.  He seeks to kill you!

John      10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The devil tries to attack like a wolf against sheep.  The first thing the devil wants to do is separate/steal a person/sheep from the flock, to isolate them (possibly through offense or sin) from the support and protection of the shepherd and other sheep.  The devil will then run the sheep until it is so tired that it roll over and say "kill me" ("I cannot go on any more", "I just want to die", etc)... that is, they give up to the fear/doubt/offense/sin, which stills the Life of Jesus away, and brings judgment.  And the devil will try to take their eternal spirit to hell to be destroyed. 

Why?  Because each and every person has the capability to receive Jesus as Lord and walk in the authority of Jesus' name in victory over the devil and all his forces.  But you have to know the Word and enforce the victory!

1 Peter    5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

You notice that it says "may" devour.  He cannot go about doing whatever he wants.  He has to find those who are either in sin (under judgment), or in fear, or in unbelief.  But if you are born-again,  don't have to allow him to touch anything of yours, because you have authority over him using Jesus' name!


What his Weapons and Tactics are

The Word says that we are not ignorant of the devil's devices (weapons) or wiles (tactics).

2 Cor 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Eph 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Below we will examine some of the devil's weapons and tactics, while at the same time discussing some of our godly weapons and tactics that bring victory against these. 

Jer 9:5-6
And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

Deception
One of the main weapons of the devil is deception (go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way).  He was deceived himself, when he thought that the could exalt himself ("I will") and be like God (or supplant Jesus specifically) (see Isa 14:12-15, Eze 28:11-19, Job 38:4-13). 

Rev 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The devil deceived Eve in the Garden.

1 Tim 2:14
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

He will try to misquote and change what God has said, or intended, to make it seem to mean something else.  In Genesis 3:1, the devil said "Yea, hath God said"? to bring doubt.  You have to recognize that Eve was not created yet (Gen 2:21-22) when God gave Adam the commandment not to eat of the tree (Gen 2:16-17).  So it is important that we clearly communicate God's Word and instructions to people, to not give room to the devil to try to confuse and pervert the real intent.  It is equally important that each one of us know the Word intimately and thoroughly.

The devil tried the same tactic on Jesus in the wilderness.  The devil misquoted and left sections out of scripture that he spoke to Jesus.  But Jesus, knowing the Word, rebuked the devil using the Word. 

The devil try to convince you think it is all right to lie, just this time, to take that small drink or fruit or whatever it is that does not belong to you, no one will see you.  It is all right to lie down next to that person, to have sex, just this one time, after all, you like/love this person, you want them to like/love you, so... just this time, no one will know.  Its all right to talk about that person, you know / saw / heard what they did, besides, you don't like / respect them anyway. 

Titus 3:4
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

We have to know, believe, and act on the Word.  It takes all three of these or we deceive ourselves.

Matt 24:5
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matt 24:11
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

2 Tim 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Eph 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

2 Peter 2:13
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

This is why you must personally know the Truth, the Word of God, and apply it.  A person can have an "attitude" or thought process (i.e., a stronghold) that is not in line with the Word of God.  This attitude or thought process is a deception, that will hold them in bondage.  Usually, the greater the deception or stronghold, the less the person can see it in themselves (that is, greater darkness in that area / less light on that area). 

Strongholds are built up by receiving thoughts from the enemy (lies). 

2 Cor 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Let me be very bold with you.  Every person hears demonic voices!  When a demon speaks to you from the spirit realm into your spirit's hearing, it enters your soul as a thought.  That is why the Word says hold up the shield of faith against all the fiery darts of the enemy, which are thoughts.  All those thoughts that you get are not your thoughts.  Some are from the Holy Spirit or ministering angels, some are from demons, and some are your thoughts.  You have to examine EVERY thought in light of the Word of God, and those thoughts that don't line up with the Word, you have to cast down.  You can even say "I stop that thought and thought process, in Jesus' name.  Spirit and mind, I command you not to receive or think on those thoughts, in Jesus' name".  That is why the Word says think on good things (Phil 4:8):

Phil 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Note that demonic thoughts don't come as "you should" or "you are" (which is 3rd person pronoun), but come in "I am" or "I will" (which is 1st person pronoun) or "he is" about someone else, to make you think that it is your mind and your thought (e.g., "I thought it, so I might as well say it"... NO, NO!).  Recognize that if a person starts receiving thoughts on a certain area, and not that examining them, then a stronghold can build up.  An example, the devil starts telling a young girl "I am so ugly", "I will never accomplish anything", "No one (or he) will ever love me"... After a while, she starts believing those thoughts and thinking that way and acting in ways to support that... At that point, it has become a stronghold. 

So tear down ungodly strongholds, build up godly strongholds, by memorizing,  meditating and acting on the Word of God.

Lies
In the previous section "Prayer - Part 2", we defined Truth, Fact, and Lie.  The devil is a liar and the author of all lies.  We define Lie as anything that does not line up with the "Word of God".  All lies come from the father of lies, the devil.

John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 John 2:21
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

The devil and demons cannot speak Truth and will always have a Lie in whatever they say.  This is an important point when examining thoughts or when performing deliverance where demons are speaking through people.  Whatever the demon says, if you examine it closely, you will always discover a lie in it. 

Again, the lies are fiery darts thoughts of the devil.  (The devil only has some many weapons, and most of them, he needs you to agree with. (e.g., "Oh, I don't think I feel very well today."  You just agreed with the devil and sickness and disease.)  Look at the armor against lies that God wants you to walk in:

Eph 6:13-18
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

(1) Truth is the Word... Renew your mind.

(2) Righteousness is being blood washed... As we have previously defined righteousness, but you must KNOW it... Have it in your thoughts... To protect your heart from the accuser of the brethren.

(3) Gospel of peace... The word "peace" in the greek is made up of two parts
    (1) a legal settlement in court (or treaty) between two warring groups, and
    (2) tranquility or quietness.  You must be prepared (thoughts) to tell people about Jesus.  Thinking all the time about how to reach them, how to bless them... Instead of what they did evil, or how I feel about them. 

(4) Faith comes by hearing the Word... It is action on the Word. 

(5) Helmet of salvation is protecting the mind... I have the mind of Christ... A sound mind...

(6) Sword is the Word... Thinking on the Word... Praying / Confessing the Word...

(7) Praying always....

These are (1) a process, and (2) thoughts leading to Words and Faith actions.

Temptation and Sin
The devil will use all he can to get you into compromising thoughts, situations, and sin.  

James 1:12-16
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Lets define some things.  God "tests" the hearts of men.  But these tests are not dealing with sin, but obedience.  God tested Abraham by asking Abraham to offer up Issac.  I sure there was nothing in Abraham's flesh that found pleasure in wanting to kill his son.  If God asks you to do something, it is usually against our flesh-nature.  The devil "tempts" our flesh-nature with things it likes.  (What are those?  See lust of the flesh in Gal 5:19-21)  Lets define "lusts" also by noting that it is the same greek word translated as "desires"... Meaning that there are godly desires and ungodly (as noted in Gal 5:17).  You can take authority over you lusts or desires using the name of Jesus.  Speak to yourself and command your flesh "In the name of Jesus, you will not desire that ungodly thing, but you will desire godly things". (Here is a spiritual experiment: When your body desires a food or drink, bind that desire in Jesus' name, tell your body that it will not desire that, and then tell it another food or drink you want it to desire in Jesus' name.) 

So, you are trying to walk in holiness (that is, sinlessness... Which is ONLY an issue when temptation comes), and this great looking person walks by... You think the devil was going to send an ugly person by?  Or, you just happen to bump into your old drinking buddy.  Use the name of Jesus over that lust! 

If a person is in sin, then they are working with the devil, and the devil does not need to send great demons against them, because the person is already defeated, defeating themselves, and in agreement with the devil. 

Remember in our study on "Sin", temptation came only come one of three ways.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

That is, (1) the lust of the flesh, (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life.

The Curse of the Law (Death)
God is a legal God, the Judge of All.  God has sworn a covenant that includes blessings and cursings.  It is His covenant.  He is responsible for the blessings, in which He cannot lie.  He is also responsible for the cursings, in which He cannot lie. Read Deut 28:15-68, Deut 32:39-41. 

Deut 28:63
And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Deut 32:39-41
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

In  Deut 28:63, God said He would rejoice over you to destroy you if you turn back to sin.  Why?  Because God rejoices in righteous judgment!  If you study "throne" in the bible, you will find it is a throne of "judgment", for righteous judgment, for blessings to the saints and curses to the sinners.  Let me reinforce this for you:
(1) where did the plagues / curses on Egypt come from when God sent Moses there,
(2) where did the leprosy come from on Miriam when she spoke against Moses, who cried out to God to heal her "now", and God said even if her father had spit in her face she would be unclean for a week,
(3) who is putting the judgments/curses of Revelation on the world? 

Gal 3:13-14
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

If you are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13) by the blood of Jesus, then you were not redeemed before receiving the blood, that is, the curse applied, but now the blessings apply (Gal 3:14).  This is true also for being delivered from the authority of darkness in Col 1:13 and the authority of death in Heb 2:14-15.

Matt 13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

You see that some people could not (because of a process of rejecting the Truth and staying in lusts and sin) or would not perceive/receive Truth, and therefore would not receive the blood to redeem from the curse, and therefore could not be healed from the curse of sickness, because they would not convert.

So, if the devil can deceive a person with lies and temptation, then he can legally bring death and destruction to them.  An example, if an unbeliever has cancer in their body, that according to the Word is Truth (not a Lie), because they are under the curse. 

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Rom 7:11
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

1 Cor 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

2 Thess 2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Through the curse, the devil will bring sickness, disease, poverty, homeless, shame, emotional wounds, depression, etc.  But Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law, by taking the penalty of death for us.

Heb 2:14-15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Oppression
If the devil cannot afflict a person legally, then he will try illegally, through oppression.  That is, to press on a person or their affairs.  Oppression is against righteousness (that is, the right judgment of God, being that a saint is blood washed, redeemed from the curse, and redeemed to the blessings).

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

There is also a process that goes from
obsession (where a person continually thinks thoughts of something), that leads or opens the door to
oppression (where a person is directly afflicted by demonic spirits), and possibly
possession (where a demon has entered the person's body and is influencing or exercising direct control over the person). 

Lets clarify that if a "sickness" (e.g., cancer) is caused by a demonic oppression, then a believer can be oppressed (e.g., have cancer (Fact)) thru a demon entering their body, but that is not "possession".  Possession takes control over a person so that the person cannot operate in free-will. 

If a person is being afflicted or oppressed by a spirit of "whatever" (e.g., adultery), whether it was in their body or around their body (who cares... we are going to cast it out), and we cast that spirit out and away from them, it does not mean necessarily that the person was thinking or acting or involved in "whatever" (e.g., adultery).  So don't personalize it.  If a person is being afflicted with a spirit of "cancer", that does not make the person "cancer" or make it "their cancer".  It is a spirit... deal with the spirit that is causing the oppression.

We fight against oppression and enforce our victory thru the name of Jesus and using the Word of God. 

Fear and Intimidation
The devil is not afraid of you, but of God in you, and you taking the name of Jesus and the power of the anointing (the anointed Word) against him.  Do you realize the devil does not have faith, but only fear?  He is a god of fear (trying to create fear in you and others), and he is himself full of fear and afraid.  But like any oppressor or bully, he puts up a good front to make you think that you should be afraid of him.

1 Sam 17:10-11
And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.  When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
1 Sam 17:16
And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
1 Sam 17:24
And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
1 Sam 17:45
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

The devil will use anything he can to intimidate you from doing the will of God in your life.  The Holy Spirit might urge you to speak to someone about the gospel, but you are afraid (in effect ashamed of the gospel... of what people might say).

Rom 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

There is an old story of how lions hunt.  When a lion gets too old to chase and catch the prey, and there are young lions that are unskilled, the young lions will lay in tall grass and wait.  Then the old lion will go on the other side of the prey and roar.  The prey will run from the roaring lion, into the tall grass for safety, and be killed by the young lions.  The point is - run towards the roar, towards the fear, and overcome it.  How do you overcome fear? Speak the Word to it, bind it and cast it out, loose boldness...

2 Tim 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

But don't be afraid, for God is with you and for you... Press thru, using the name of Jesus, to bring victory to many.

Ps 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

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