Exposing the Enemy - 1

Mar 13, 2005

INTRODUCTION

Devil’s worst nightmare is that you will find out who he really is.

When you have that revelation you will progress well.

When that happens, you will accelerate exponentially.

You need revelation of both things –for they are interconnected.

The devil doesn’t want you to know who he is. (a fallen angel)

Devil doesn’t want you to know who you are (an imitator of Christ)

GOD IS SOVERIGN – AND IN CONTROL

God is sovereign and is in ultimate control of all things. All power belongs to God

Mt 28:18 "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth…"

Not some power – God is not struggling with the devil
There’s no competition  - cause there’s no fight – it’s already over

Rom 13:1 "There is no power but of God"... "All governments are under God" (Message translation)

Principalities and powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness are all under God.

Luke 10:17-20

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. "And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you ."Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Message

Master even the demons danced to your name

Jesus said I know. I saw Satan fall like a bolt of lightening out of the sky. See what I have given  you, safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of  the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over the evil, but in God’s authority over you, and presence with you. Not for what you do for God, but what God does for you- that’s the agenda for rejoicing.

The focus of the Christian walk is not the devil, but God.

It’s not your authority over the devil, that’s important -but your submission to God.

People get into trouble when they focus on the devil.

Don’t go chasing devils –go chasing God.

Your testimony is not chasing the evil with warfare –it’s attracting God with worship.  The last thing God referred to King David in the bible was the sweet Psalmist of Israel. God wanted him remembered as a worshipper more than a great king or warrior.

Remember because God is in control

Therefore every situation is in God’s hands.

Every created being is under God’s control.

No situation is ever out of control for a believer who trusts God.

Every aspect of your life is in control, even though you might think it is not, as long as you trust in God. He controls every circumstance, even to the very hairs that fall from your head.

WHAT ARE WE REALLY DEALING WITH WHEN IT COMES TO THE EVIL?

TRICKSTER AND DECEIVER

Gen 3:1

Now the serpent was more (subtle) cunning than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?

"Subtle" = tricks deceit – not power

Eph 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

“wiles of the devil” (tricks) / (deceptive schemes) (strategies)

YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH A POWERFUL ENEMY

Your dealing with a deceitful enemy

He can only offer tricks and deceptive schemes.

NOW!!!!!!

If you fall for his tricks, you can end up in trouble

because his nature is to kill steal and destroy

The devil can only trap you once he’s tricked you

He has no access to you except through trickery

His power is harnessed until he tricks you.

He cannot indiscriminately attack you.

He has no authority to do so.

911 –what happened?

Did believers innocently die? – yes

Where they deceived? - no

Did God give the devil authority to kill them? -no

Did they give the devil authority? –no

Was it a work of the devil? –yes, through evil men.

No one can explain it, and I certainly don’t want to try.

I can only tell you that God wants us to live long and enjoy life, and God does reveal things that we need to know

(1Co 2:10) 

But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.

(1Co 2:12)  But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.

Things freely give to us = God’s Word

(2Pe 1:2) 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

(2Pe 1:3)

according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue,

What are these things –things that pertain to life and Godliness.

THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPRESENT

He is not everywhere at the same time.

Stop saying the devil is always bothering me!!! How important do you think you are?

It’s doubtful if most Christians in their lifetime will be personally visited by the devil

CONCLUSION

You are a child of God who over the trickster, so know it and walk it out.