| Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put
on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded
your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which
you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints—— (Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV)
IS THERE SUCH A THING A
SATANIC INFLUENCE?
Yes, the Scriptures speak
of Satan and give to him certain influences. The evil one or Satan
is not to be taken as if a figure of evil in general, nor must we
think it is simply how the people thought when the Bible was written
and it is different in this more intelligent age.
We must understand the
Scriptures in their historical context, but they are the Word of God
period and the customs of the people did not take precedent over God
saying what was valid forever.
If we deny that Satan is a
personal being and exists, then we must also deny all of the Bible.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
ABOUT SPECIFIC POWERS AND TERRITORY GIVEN TO SATAN?
The Bible teaches he has
great power and is over all other fallen angels.
The bible says that he is
the god of this world.
WHAT DOES GOD OF THIS WORLD
MEAN? Does this mean he controls the elect of god?
Satan controls the men of
the world.
All he does will promote
his kingdom.
Even though it may not be
by intention, or done out of ignorance the service rendered are by
nature of being in bondage to Satan.
GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF
UNINTENTIONAL SERVICE TO SATAN
GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF
SOMETHING THAT SERVES SATAN THAT MAY BE DONE BECAUSE THE PERSON
DOESN’T KNOW IT IS EVIL.
The Bible teaches that
Satan has power over the souls of men, controlling them who are
children of disobedience, harassing and hindering the children of
God.
Everything Satan does with
his power and control is against God and promotes evil over good. In
people this will promote error, blind their minds to the truth,
encourage unbelief, excite evil passions, tempt to sin, and the
result as we see in Judas will be utter despair, there is no hope
for what I have done, I am guilty and condemned already with no hope
for salvation.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS
EVIL POWER?
It is great
It is subtle (sneaky) as
Satan can appear to be an angel of light
We cannot see how it works
in our minds
It appears to agree with
the soul of the person, at least in the sinful nature of that soul
The Bible describes it as
deceiving, as seducing, and as tempting
It can be restated, that is
it can be passed along to another, it isn’t something we are not
aware of
The Bible never shows it as
lessening the guilt of anyone
Because it is the power of
something created, it is not almighty. Though we cannot know exactly
how a spirit relates to time and space he cannot be everywhere at
once because he is a created being.
WE MUST RESIST THE POWER OF
SATAN
Not in our own power, but
in the power of the Lord.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Our power to resist comes
from the Lord alone
It is the Lord’s own
power exerted through us, as in miracles
HOW DO WE RESIST THE EVIL
INFLUENCE OF SATAN IN OUR LIFE?
Not by way of our own
strength and weapons, but by the whole armor of God, which is both
defensive and offensive.
Breast plate of
righteousness – Girdle of truth – shield of faith – helmet of
salvation – sword of the Spirit.
Explain how these devices
work in real life! What are they? How do we get them?
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