Spiritual Warfare

The Devil is an Enemy

Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

One of his “schemes” is described in 2 Corinthians 11:14

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Satan’s Agenda

Satan has a game plan/agenda to accomplish his agenda

Miss the Goodness of God

As he did with Eve in the garden, Satan wants to get you to question the value of all of the trees that God has provided by getting you to focus on the one tree He has said to avoid. Satan wants you to complain about what you don’t have so you will lose sight of what God has given you.

Genesis 3:1 ESV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

Satan tries to pull our focus away from the goodness of God because he knows that the only way he can defeat us is through deception.

Satan Operates by Consent and Cooperation

He operates by subtly changing the worldview, beliefs, and thought patterns of the individual, family, church, or society that he’s targeting. Once those schemes are adopted, he is given greater permission to make himself at home. Much like roaches that have been allowed to stay in a filthy kitchen, demons that have set up camp are difficult to drive off.

Satanic Attacks from without - Oppression

The difference between Satan's accusations and the Holy Spirit's conviction is that Satan will always drive you from the cross. Jesus always will bring you to it.

And who better to serve as the recipient of hell’s unrighteous indignation than mankind—the only creature in the Universe made “in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26-27)?

His primary goal is to alienate men from God by causing them to sin. His main objective is to make all men his slaves, thereby robbing them of the freedom that God’s Word alone can impart (John 8:32).

Job 2:7 ESV

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 ESV

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

Satanic strongholds from within … OBSESSION

Ephesians 4:26–27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Idle Minds

When our minds are idle, they aren't really idle: they become unprotected fields where any thought can run freely. When our thoughts run wild, we will find ourselves thinking of what is wrong sooner or later. We've got to proactively guard our minds and hearts!

Wrong or Ungodly Desires

Wrong or ungodly desires don't give the devil a foothold – it gives him control over us! We must keep our desires in check. What we desire always reveals what's in our hearts (see Luke 6:45), and so if we desire what is wrong we've got to deal with our hearts.

We must also remember that whatever we desire tempts us. James 1:14 tell us that "each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed." Be careful what you wish for.