FINAL

We have crossed over some barriers or knocked over a few sacred cows during these past few weeks. The intention is to expose the wiles of the enemy and either introduce you to his tactics or confirm your thoughts & beliefs.

As you know, anytime that Jesus cast out demons or someone got healed, the intent was pure, it was a blessing. Satan also has what we might think are “blessings," things that on the front seem plausible, even beneficial. But beware, when Satan does such things; he always exacts a price. If we are not discerning, He can bring to you something you desperately are needing & prayed for in earnest. He works it out in a way that gets you into bondage in another area.

For example, a single woman, who is desperate to be married. The enemy can use a non-Christian man who "meets the criteria" of what she wants, yet the smart way he presents a situation that in turn opens a door that looks great because it is the way it was shown, (minus the critical part that He is not even a Christian). Or let say, the man is a Christian but in pornography. He is in bondage.

He can transfer that lust spirit and create in her an appetite for things she never thought she would do. The demonic influence can be so overpowering, if she doesn't understand what’s happening and gives in, she is in trouble.

For example, a voodoo Doctor can help a person to get well. While that may seem to be a "blessing," because the person may feel better or even healed, Something else is happening behind it; it's a bait and switch to open more doors to the demonic, the person ends up with another devil, so it swaps demons to bring in more demons.

Or let's say, it's a "financial blessing" that comes with "strings attached." The enemy will then... The cases can go on and on.

As we discuss Satan’s chief tactic of deception, another tactic not so apparent to us is a classic one used to bring oblivion to his methods. He will keep us so busy in the natural realm as we scurry off to work, go up the success ladder, and then settle back in our comfortable chair watching the TV and reading the news; we soon forget the reality of the supernatural. This is to say; we get in a rut, we don’t look for the supernatural either by spending time with the Lord or even noticing that the very enemy (we don’t like) has entered into our lives undetected.

Satan is delighted with people and especially Christians who get intoxicated with getting ahead in life and gains a spirit of apathy toward the supernatural and forgoes a sense of authority of those things that have led them down the wrong road by denial.

How about an enemy who convinces you there is no alarm? Is that a slick enemy? Of course, it is, and it suggests to you that only the religious minded folks need to attend to those things while I build up my intellectual life. So, if you leave the devil alone he will leave you alone, right? Besides our power in God has decreased since the Apostles anyway, so we cope with the situation and roll on without much concern. This is the lie being brought out in some churches today. We have become desensitized

Satan can only pretend to be what he isn't; he alone can lure us into believing he has power, he doesn't have power. 1 Peter 5:8 KJV states; "he is like a roaring lion, that walks about, seeking whom he may devour." Friends, let's look at this scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV "But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost: for who the God of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which DON'T BELIEVE." You might say I do believe in God, Jesus for sure! But are you walking with Him daily, getting wisdom, learning from the master’s hand? Discerning the signs of the times?

Satan is a supernatural being although limited in power; he is still significantly effective in fulfilling his malicious purpose, at least for a time. Since he is limited in ability, he must rely on cunning, delusion and allusion, to get what he wants to be ACHIEVED.

It is easy to fall prey to the lies of Satan, especially when we depart or have lost touch with God. We need to repent and renew our relationship with Him. Daily warfare demands a daily walk with God! We as a western Church seem to be out of touch. We can regain our relationship quickly and cast ourselves upon Him who cares for us. Our authority must be taken to heart, or we will never impact the society in which we live.

As Christians, we must fight the idea that we are above deception or schemes of the devil. Galatians 6:7 KJV says don't be deceived... Whatsoever a man Sows that he shall reap.

Another deception sown into the body of Christ is that Christians can't be demon possessed. Although it’s said, they can backslide progressively, and they can become oppressed. Also, demon spirits can gain habitual hold of a Christian, who in such cases will need repentance, deliverance and spiritual instructions. If that is observed, what’s the difference then? Christians then are demonized mildly, some more so and rarely, but can be possessed.

Be careful friends from who you learn. Demon possession can be for real, albeit not as prevalent as someone who has a stronghold, which grew from a “toehold to a “foothold then the “stronghold which by then has altered their lifestyle in many areas.

In classic Pentecostal circles, there is a phrase that the devil "can't cross the bloodline." However, SOME individuals who are habitually yielding to temptations, through the lust of the flesh, ARE DRIVEN into possession. In these cases, the demons need to be cast out, of course, this state of mind and will is somewhat the exception and not the rule.

A depressed and oppressed mind can be influenced over a period until a nasty, devious mind BECOMES a pattern and behavior. This ACTION will go on till the believer grows weary and relaxes their fight against evil and gives in, thereby allowing a stronghold in their emotions and mind to drive their daily behavior.

Don't be deceived get help, throw yourself upon the grace of God, let those in authority help you in these areas to be set free and become a Christian who knows the enemy and knows the jurisdiction shared with and in Jesus.

People and especially Christians don't share what's going on in their mind. They are not quick to say they are hearing voices, having overwhelming sex thoughts, hate towards others, doubting God's word, and aren't ADMITTING they have frequent occurrences in varying degrees of misbehavior.

In my experience and testimonies of other Pastors and counselors, when the truth of spiritual attacks are explained in detail, these same people are comforted that they aren't crazy and messed up.
Once told that the fight is for their mind and the battleground is your mind, they get a good grip on things from a better perspective.

Knowing the word of God, studying it daily and in fellowship (accountability) keeps us sharp and aware of God’s will for us, our family and business.

When an attack comes, the intent is to bring you away from the lord, question the lord, and then the enemy assassinates the character of God. All this is to bring you into doubt, urgency and trip you up to act and do a thing you would not ordinarily do, especially your mouth.

At first discernment of any attack, stop and rebuke all thoughts, actions, plans of the enemy, quote Luke 10:19, Isaiah 54:17 and decree that He (The Holy Spirit) who is in you is greater than who’s in the world. Resist him, and he will flee.
Plead the blood of Jesus over everything that is involved, family, business, finances, and relationships.

Friends, you don’t have to be paranoid of enemy attacks, just beware, and the Lord will show you when there is an attack. It is harder for the lord to speak if you have drawn away with other issues of life and not coming to him. Stay close, put the lord first in all things (Matthew 6:33) cast away vain imaginations, pride and “self.” Jesus is the whole and complete example of our walk, and His love for you is beyond belief.

Understand who you are in Christ! Count on it, for the word is eternal.

Saints, you are doomed to victory in Jesus, He loves you, and He wants you to know there is an enemy and the walk here on earth is not without afflictions, but He will be with you in all of them.

Jesus gives you the tools to overcome, overcome what? The wiles, tricks, traps of the enemy to overrule you, and bring hardship(s). Read Ephesians chapter 6.

Jesus says come unto me Matthew 28 and take my yoke, but don’t forget, He won’t do what he told you to do, that is to decree His scriptures, fight and conquer and our victory is secure in these things.

Spiritual warfare is a very vast subject, too broad to do in just one series. I want to conclude this series by leaving you with tools for continual education. There are many books and teachers to learn from; I will list a few at the end.

We will continue with our next series in 2018!

Until then “Victory in Jesus!”

John Cento
Overseer, Mission Wildfire International

READING MATERIAL:

DEREK PRINCE BOOKS (THIS IS NOT JOSEPH PRINCE)
BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND by JOYCE MEYERS
SETTING THE CAPTIVES FREE by ALICE SMITH
POWER OF THE BLOOD by MAXWELL WHITE
KENNETH HAGEN SR BOOKS
PATRICIA KING WEBSITE