Know your enemy to defeat your enemy.
“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”
Whilst we do not want to become obsessed, we need to grace the enemy with as little attention as he deserves because always our focus is on God, we need not to be ignorant and therefore deceived by his schemes.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Jesus saw, heard, touched and spoke out against in rebuke of evil and the enemy because He knew His authority out powered and could destroy it.
We are authorised with that same power and authority.
We are in the image of God.
Ignorance, turning a blind eye or partnering with, leaves an open door and chink in the armour for the enemy to get in.
First it is important to know how the bible describes and defines Satan.
All in opposition to qualities of God.
Satan is not an equal of God.
Satan is a created being therefore not omnipotent as God.
Satan can only be in one place, he is not omnipresent.
Satan is small, worm like and by stamping on his neck got rid of.
Satan is small but evil, possessing nothing good in his being.
Satan is motivated to spoil the image of God, to wreak havoc, wreck lives, pervert good , destroy be despicable.
His nature is to lie, deceive, usurp, distort and in his vanity he cannot accept that he has already lost and been defeated.
His tactics are to be the voice of condemnation and accuser, to challenge God’s motives and authority, questioning what God says and to pervert what is true to cast doubt on man’s nature.
These are explicitly exhibited in Genesis 3 when the serpent tempts Eve to eat the apple and in the tempting of Jesus in the wilderness.
Where the enemy does mimic God is in his hierarchy of governance in the world. However, his hierarchy of dominions are not angelic but rebellious principalities, powers, rulers and demonic spirits of wickedness.
“Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”
Satan hides his visibility masquerading as larger than he really is and deploying many infiltrators in our lives that only God’s light exposes.
He distorts with mirrors and illusions to camouflage what he is really doing and then attempts to take over territories geographically, systems and individuals.
The spiritual warfare combat is between these and God’s hierarchy of angels.
The discerning is between the origin of these which divinely God has power to convey.
God’s intentions are always good from the beginning of creation and from the knitting in the mother’s womb.
In partnership with the Holy Spirit we can discern our target and with God’s permission and the knowledge of what is needed speak into.
We can decree and declare what the good intentions of God are in opposition to the enemy’s.
We can together, in agreement, rebuke the enemy spirit and demons.
At least we can prevent ourselves inadvertently partnering with.
At best we can co-labour in the binding of the stronghold and bring deliverance.
Victory is in the enemy fleeing in the name of Jesus Christ and the foot firmly stamping on the neck breaking off his persistence.
Liberation, freedom in individuals, Nations and Systems.
Dispelled darkness.
The illustration shows the worm sized smallness of the enemy being overwhelmed by the vastness and Light of God’s governance and power pushing back the evil and darkness in the world.
Four Scriptures that come to mind:
“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”Ephesians 6:11 ESV
“Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”Ephesians 6:12 TPT
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV
The Song. Raise a Hallelujah. Bethelhttps://youtu.be/8B85SRZJsCg
Lessisgreater 