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Revelation a Prime Tool

There are limits on human knowledge. It is easy to roam amid foolish speculation. We must avoid that. However, the probings of an illuminated imagination are never a hindrance. Something else is, though – skepticism.  This is the biggest hurdle for a serious discussion of Satan.

Inasmuch as the devil and his legions move about unseen, the blackout today isn’t hard to understand. People are reluctant to take the unseen world seriously. It isn’t natural to do so, of course – its supernatural. That’s a bad word, too. It is not sophisticated to probe a sphere where scientific methods and deductions produce nothing. Revelation is not always regarded as a respectable tool.

Yet, inspiration is clearly a Scriptural tool:

“Through the Spirit, however, God has revealed it to us; for the Spirit fathoms everything, even the deep things of God. And we have received, not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that comes from God, in order that we may know the things which God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:10, 12)

Revelation by the Holy Spirit is one of our prime tools. Do we not learn as HE illumines our personal experiences by the Word of God? No Christian should be afraid of trusting the Spirit of God as a teacher, for He is also our guarantee from error. (1 John 4:1, 1 John 2:27)

If I write by the Spirit of God, then you may test what you read by the same Spirit. If, through the weakness of the flesh, I err, you can determine which things carry His witness to your heart. We live in a time when false spirits are surging and it is incumbent upon God’s people to exercise discernment. You should try by God’s Word and His Spirit what you read here. If my words help you too live closer to the Lord Jesus and exalt Him, then you can accept them.

However, do not be afraid to trust the leadership of the Spirit of God in these things. For people who believe only in what they can see, even faith in God is not respectable. Think what their reaction would be to the idea of a personal devil! We cannot let ourselves be influenced by them. God’s Word is clear in this matter. If we take it seriously, we will put the scoffers behind us.

The Weight Of The Word

To treasure the Word of God and remain indifferent to the massive revelation of the devil is not wise. A wealth of Bible material unveils Satan, demons and supernaturalism. The number of passages that could be expounded is tremendous. They combine to give a very comprehensive picture of our enemy.

Not only is the PERSON of Satan set forth clearly, but also his WORKING is as fully manifested as that of the Holy Spirit. If Christians find what God has to say about His Spirit no test of reason, they should find it no more difficult to believe what is said about Satan. It takes the same faith to discern him as it does the Spirit of God. The ministry of one is no harder to imagine than the other. With that, note Paul’s assertion that a state of war exists:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”  (Ephesians 6:12).

Look at that! Who can miss the contest! It doesn’t take a dean of expositors to see the majestic lineup of evil princes here. Is not a host of unseen powers arrayed against God’s people? How can this be taken lightly? The Christian who fails to consider the implications of such a thing is a fool. To ignore that the HEAD of the evil army is his personal enemy is blindness. The worst kind. For it is not accidental blindness, but deliberate.

Does anyone have to tell you this is spiritual war? The fact of “heavenly places” removes any thought of physical encounters with these people. The battlefield is in the spirit, beyond the pale of the flesh. However, that doesn’t make it vague or unreal. God’s Word beams much light on activities in the spirit, as any serious Bible student knows.

For example, a knowledge of the workings of the Holy Spirit also tells a great deal about Satan. Since he is a counterfeiter, we can be certain he is copying, (if not using precisely) the same techniques as the Spirit of God. May not the degree to which a reader understands the workings of the Holy Spirit, be the degree to which he can comprehend the methods of the unholy spirit? Why not?

·        Both people are spirit beings

·        Both operate in the spirit

·        Both deal directly with man

·        Both want the same thing from man

As we move along in our probe, the weight of Scripture will show this to be clearly so.

Forget Demonology

This is not a study on demonology. It has to do with Satan and deals with him as our unique enemy. I want you to forget about demons for the time. Does not Satan have legions of fallen angels to do his bidding? Yes. Hosts of evil spirits (demons, if you prefer) to carry out his orders. However, I am satisfied their role is minor and that their work is IN ADDITION TO HIS.

I am satisfied that demons no more do the work of Satan, than the angels of God do the work of the Holy Spirit. Satan’s subordinates hold and maintain his conquests, but he is the conqueror. He is the attacker. As the Holy Spirit is the One Who brings the conviction of sin, certifies the Word of God and makes Christ real to individuals, so also does the unholy spirit personally lead, tempt and inspire men to do evil. Demons should no more be mentioned in this regard than angels can be said to establish the indwelling presence of Christ.

The work of God’s angels is defined: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).

 It is the Holy Spirit, Himself, Who forms Christ in us and Who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16) This is no tiny distinction. The difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s angels is like night and day. Therefore, it is with Satan and the angels serving him.

Almost every book on the subject emphasizes the afflicting presence of demons. Satan is no fool. He’ll leak out information on demons so as to distract writers and investigators. Since demons do cause physical disorders, they earn a lot of attention. People get excited when their bodies are hurt. Demon studies are popular because they hint a promise of healing. And you know the extent to which people will go for healing. Right now, I know a man who drives hundreds of miles to Mexico for cancer treatments because the drug used there is outlawed in this country.

Satan has used demonology as a smokescreen to divert attention from himself. If writers can be shifted to his underlings, he continues to enjoy the blackout he needs. And readers are easily engrossed where the physical body is concerned. Until more light is given me, I insist their role is minor by comparison. He is the source of our affliction. Christian psychology is turning up more on demon activity every day, while the prince of demons is being ignored.

In my opinion, demonology is best left as a separate study while we turn the spotlight on Satan. He is our enemy and demons can do nothing apart from him. If we learn how to deal with him, we have little to fear from demons. So, put them out of your mind as you read this study. Think only in terms of our one vicious enemy – Satan.  Think of him as your personal adversary whose working is akin to that of the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself wondering about demons, then think of them as being to Satan what the angels of God are to the Holy Spirit.

Satan’s kingdom is large. It takes an enormous chain of command to operate it. The hierarchy of beings cited by Paul is needed to maintain it. However, there is only one devil. He was Jesus singular enemy. He is your enemy right now.

Your Personal Devil

That’s how I want you to think of Satan. I want you to put him in the same category as the Lord Jesus – as far as importance is concerned. Does that shock you? Here’s why I say that. Just as you dealt with the Person of Jesus for salvation, so must you deal with the person of Satan for victory. If we ignore Jesus, there is no salvation. If we ignore Satan, there can be no full victory. See it like this:

·        Salvation requires a Personal Savior!

·        Victory requires a Personal enemy!

However, let me be clear. All victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, victory itself means a fight and a fight requires an enemy. Therefore, every victory you have enjoyed in the Christian life has meant some kind of defeat for Satan. No, you were not conscious of the devil. Nonetheless, your victory handed him a defeat. There can be no forward step in faith without some kind of blow against Satan. If all of your dealings with Satan have been unknowing and unwitting, think what your progress in Christ could be if you began to deal with the enemy knowingly. Think what might happen in your life if you became serious in dealing with Satan for victory as you deal with Jesus for salvation!

I am asking you to concentrate on two people. The Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit. See both of them as:

1.      Present with you

2.      Giving you personal attention

3.      Possessed of fantastic powers in the spirit world

4.      Ready to exercise whatever dominion you will permit

Yes, you have a free will. You are responsible for which spirit exercises the most influence over your thoughts and actions. That’s what makes this a subtle business. If the unholy spirit can get you to do his will, you do so of your own free choice. Subsequently you are judged for it, because your choice is deliberate.

After you finish this study, you can test these truths to see whether they hinder or help your life in Christ. For the time being, put them with other truths you will pick up and reserve judgment until you can make the proper tests. The “proof of the pudding is in the eating,” and the test of these things is what they do for you in your life.

This particular study began stating that most Christians are funny, because they ignore one of the most vital doctrines of the Book they cherish. If this manual does what it is supposed to, you will still be a funny Christian. Not because you ignore the Word you treasure, but because you live in a day when it is funny to believe in a personal devil.

Happening To You?

If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll agree you are nowhere hear what you ought to be in Christ. Don’t you want to be a better Christian than you are right now? Sure. Without realizing it, your personal adversary, the devil, is directing your life. His subtle wisdom, his ingenious devices, makes it easy for him to manipulate you. An outsider maneuvers you in such a way you neither suspect it nor notice it. Everything you do and say appears to be your own ideas, but it isn’t.

If you think no one is that clever, you’re mistaken. Satan is. He can get you to waste one day after another. He can cause you to forget Jesus hours upon end. He can make you misbehave and think you’re not so bad. He can plant evil thoughts in your mind and you’ll think you’re clean in God’s sight. He can cause you to be idle and think your making progress in Christ. That’s why I say no Christian is a match for him. The average Christian doesn’t dream that Satan is leading his life. He doesn’t suspect the power that is exercised over him. He may laugh at poor Eve, but he is no better off!

Most Christians can look back a year to see little or no change. They are still the same persons. Their personalities are no sweeter, the dedication of their talents is stabilized, their pocketbooks are just as tight and their occupation with the world is as solidly fixed. There’s no increase in surrender, devotion or service. They go year after year without much change.

Do Christians want this? No. Yet, it happens. Why? If you haven’t begun to suspect a mighty adversary is dedicated to keep you from living Christ, you will when you see how he works. That’s next.

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