This is a continuation of last week as with the extra conversation we were unable to finish the study. I feel this is because this subject is one that we seem to ignore as we all want to concentrate on Jesus instead of the work he has told us about while we are here. Remember Jesus was tempted to and we will talk about that more later. This week we sang the song "Bless the Lord O my soul" I have added the link below with lyrics. Please check it out.
What power does the enemy have?
The powers we came up with is Influence, Temptation, doubt and fear.
How can the enemy deceive us?
The enemy uses simple words to cast doubt and turn us from the truth. We have versus in the bible that we can use to defeat the enemy. We read Matthew 4:1-11 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
See how Jesus used the word to defend himself against the enemy. These are words he memorized and were written on his heart. The enemy also used the words to tempt Jesus and get him to fail himself and the God the father. The Enemy has been around for along time he also knows Gods word inside and out and can use it to tempt us. Every time we hear the word we need to be able discern it and see if it is inline with God and his Holiness. Jesus could have easily made the stones into bread saying to himself "oh God must want me to eat." Has anyone every done that because you wanted something? Instead Jesus concentrated on God and his word. We need to do the same.
Everything is made by God read 1Col 1:15-20 and God has a plan for us in Christ Jesus Eph 1 11:14. The Enemy has interest in keeping you away from God. The enemy lives off of our separation from God.
What was Jesus worst pain?
Do you think it was the lashings? maybe the spikes going thru his wrists and feet? No his greatest pain was when he took on all our sin as the lamb of God he had to be separated from God. Light can not stand in darkness. That greatest pain was our greatest triumph as our sins were paid for, for the last time. We will not have to know that feeling of being with out God the Father.
What bible says about enemy's defeat:
1 Cor 6:3 "Do you not know that we will judge angels?"
Jude 6 "And the angels that did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home - these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgement of the great Day."
What do we have to battle the enemy now? ..Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18
Their is 31 versus of Jesus talking about the enemy and the fallen angels. Jesus battled fallen angels and demons thru his gospels. What makes us think our life would be any different? Be prepared to send the enemy away in Jesus name.
Conclusion the enemy has no power and is defeated he can only try and deceive us. Luke 11:15 says " He casateth demons through Beelzebub the prince of demons." Beelzebub is used 7 time in the new testament. It is an English translation of Ba'al-Zibbul which in Hebrew means lord of the flies. This enemy exists but we have full authority from God to defeat him, but we must watch for him and in the name of Jesus send him back where he belongs.
It was brought to my attention at the end of the meeting that fly's eat the dead. This is what the enemy does that want to feed on our death and separation from God. Keep in the word and be inline with God and the enemy will flee.