Dealing with the Dark Kingdom

I John 3:8b “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”

It seems plain in scripture that the Lord intends to utilize us in His ultimate defeat of Satan and his false Kingdom. Victory has been progressive since Jesus wilderness refuting of Satan’s devious plans. We are in a fight whether we like it or not. Read Ephesians 3:10 and Romans 16:20

Jesus has delegated his authority to us both corporately and individually: Acts 26:18: “To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”

Now as they say in Texas, “let’s look at the hardware..” that is, the equipment we use to both defend against or attack the Kingdom of Darkness.

Starting with the understanding that “God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7. We are further equipped by the advantage of not being ignorant of Satan’s devices or strategies. (2 Corinthians 2:11.)

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 advises us that we have some heavy artillery: “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.     We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised-up by the enemy against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

The Long Range Missiles and Howitzers are provided by “our position in Jesus”: Ephesians 2:1-8 (Read) describes this position “in Christ”. In Christ, we are unassailable by the enemies long range strategies and able to send off prayers that will damage the enemy’s plans.

To maintain our position we can live victoriously above the sins of our own backgrounds Ephesians 4:27 “sin no more”. 1 John 5:18 reminds us “no-one born of God sin, the Evil One does not touch him.” Consequently we simply do as James advises us to “submit to God and resist the Devil so that he flees from you.” James 4:7.

The Battle ground is the same old thing: The World the flesh and the Devil. Satan is playing on them because that is all he knows and always uses the same old tactic to great effect. As with Jesus in the Temptation, He takes his attack first to the body: “turn these stones to bread” then to the logical soul: “Angels will bear you up” then finally to the spirit: “worship me”. (Matthew 4)

If we understand these battlegrounds, we can prepare to be victorious. Deuteronomy 1: 8 encouraged the people to go in and possess the land. We need to see that as an invitation to us also. To that purpose we need to explore the Devils tactics in the 3 areas of Spirit, Soul and Body.

Our human spirit is our Holy of Holies sanctuary for God to dwell in by His Spirit. If He dwells in us there is no room for a devil to be there also. Satan wants to inhabit our Spirit and own it for eternity. He will approach through the territory of the Body and Soul.

Our Soul is our “Holy Place” This is the major battleground: our intellectual mind, will and emotions are the furniture in this place: (Candlestick, Table of Showbread and altar of Incense.) The enemy fires his fiery darts into our Holy Place that can be extinguished by our faith (Ephesians 6:16). We must hold our thoughts captive in that Holy environment in order to keep Satan out of this arena. 2 Corinthians 10:5. When you consider your mind a holy place you begin to take care what thoughts you entertain in your brain.

Our Body is our “Outer Court” where all the sacrificing and washing is going on. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Let’s go into the Armory of our spiritual warfare where we find 7 divinely powerful weapons for personal use against the Satan and his zombies as referred to in 2 Corinthians 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Weapon #1 is the Word of God which is the “sword of the Spirit” Ephesians 6:17. “it is written!” said Jesus. So must we because Satan’s power is enhanced by our ignorance. Hosea 4:6a: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Weapon #2 is The Name of Jesus. Jesus gave us the right to use His name. It represents His power and authority and He stands behind His name. “In my name they will cast out demons!” Mark 16:17. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Weapon #3 is Christ in you. By new birth, Jesus dwells in us and “you are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4. We are in Him and “He has put all things in subjection under His feet”. Ephesians 1:22.

Weapon #4 is The Blood of Jesus. I John 1:7-9 “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”  So he has no handle within us or cause against us!  We overcome Satan “by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” Revelations 12:11.

Weapon #5 is the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is basic equipment for every real believer. “You shall receive the gift..”  Acts 2:38. It is by this power we shall do “greater works” John 14:12. The enemy is careful not to expose himself to a Spirit filled believer.

Weapon #6 is the gift of the discerning of spirits 1Corinthians 12:10. The word discern in Greek means to know thoroughly and without a doubt. It is not the gift of imagination. 1 John 4:1-6 encourages us to “test the spirits” behind those who would seek to introduce new teachings.

Weapon # 7 the Whole Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 against the (gates), counsels or strategies of Hell. (Matthew 16:18-19) Romans 13:12 “put on the armor of light 2 Corinthians 6:7 the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”