Victory over Psyops

Demonic Wisdom Splits the Church

In This last week of “devilish psyops” we would like to consider what the other epistles say about spiritual warfare and victory in these daily battles. Let’s start with James.

James 3:13–16 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

James nails it when he describes the sources of two very different kinds of wisdom. He helps us to discern the source of wisdom by describing the fruit that these wisdoms produce.

The first produces a special fruit, things done by good conduct in meekness, humility, and gentleness. There is a divine order and submission to that order (1 Cor 14:40).

The second produces a long list of things to look out for; bitter envy, self-seeking, boasting, lying, confusion, and every evil thing. It is the very deceived that call good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

This is so very common in the world, but when this “psyop” enters the church it divides and separates Christian fellowships. God’s Word has the opposite effect. It provides the foundation for unity and growth.

James 3:17–18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Resistance

Daniel 7:25 (KJV) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Though written twenty-six hundred years ago, the Book of Daniel accurately describes the work of Satan; to speak great words against God and wear out the saints. James has a unique answer to the constant words from Satan aimed to wear you out. James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Are we to actively fight against the angel of light? (2 Cor 11:14)

Proverbs offers this Proverbs 3:34 “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.” As Satan comes at us to wear us out with words, lust, human reason (logic is a way that seems right) we are the recipients of his “scorn”, empty words. Refuse to reason with Satan. Refuse to listen, to comply, to speak to him.

The opposite of resist Satan is to submit to God. He gives grace to the humble.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Get thee behind me, Satan!

1 Peter 5:8–9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Poor Peter, his failures show up in embarrassing reality in the Scriptures. In Matthew 16:23; and Mark 8:33 Jesus had to speak harsh words towards Peter. He said, “Get behind me, Satan!”. He repeated the powerful admonishment of Luke 4:8 when Satan was tempting Jesus with the offer of a cross-less victory. Peter tried the same offer!

Peter finally learned the lesson, that Satan means an adversary or accuser (Rev 12:10). In fact the word devil is from the Greek διάβολος diabolos to throw, to cast, to slander. He is always slandering the saints and trying to get us to join him.

Sometimes the accusation is that we are not living up to the expectations put on us by traditions, or institutions.

Sometimes we are confronted with the incessant nagging from Satan, “you’re not good enough”, “you don’t do enough”, or “nobody appreciates you”. Recognize the voice of the accuser and be steadfast in the faith.

Their End is Hell

2 Peter 2:4 “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment”

Don’t be sentimental of the angels who sinned, the fallen angels. Their sin was trafficking unfaithfulness in heaven. In the very presence of God they committed sins of the tongue. they lied and encouraged others to lie. They turned their back on their loyalty to God and followed after the rebel, Satan.

Jude 6 “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;” (see 1 Enoch 6:1-2 for extrabiblical information on this)

Hell here is Τάρταρος Tartaros the underworld, A place lower than Hades where there are chains of darkness or an inescapable dungeon. This is just a holding cell until they are finally judged and then in Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

The point is, read the end of the Book, we win!

(Gen 6:1-4 the sin that created the Giants and demons)

A Brand Plucked from the Fire

For those who don’t know the saving power of God take a moment and see how God delivers and heals. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)

The last few weeks we have been discussing the methods and strategies of Satan to pervert and steal the saving message. Luke 8:11–12 explains it like this “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

2 Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”

There was a high priest named Joshua in the Old Testament book of Zechariah verses 3:1–2 tell us this story, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?””

The Lord rebuked the lies of Satan. But Joshua had on dirty garments, “sin” - verse three tells us, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.” Next God tells Joshua this in Zechariah 3:4–5 “Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.”

This is the story of redemption, sanctification, and God’s presence in the life of a believer. How about you?