The wiles(strategies) of the devil and spiritual warfare

[Lyfe]

All throughout scripture we are reminded that we live in a spiritual warzone between the forces of good(God and his Christ's kingdom) and evil(Satan and the powers of darkness). There are many people who don't believe in the existence of evil spirits, yet God's word says that they will influence and deceive most of the known world in the final hours of human history. Evil spirits are looking for a vessel they can live out their self destructive and perverted lusts through. It's their mission to get people to adopt and give heed to self destructive ideas and philosophies. They are looking for rights and access points into our life and seek to get people hooked to things like porn, drugs, alcohol, the occult, and etc. Evil spirits are especially looking to target, demoralize, and deceive God's children through lies and half truths. They will always come at you and attack your mind with thoughts to discourage you.

1 Timothy 4:1
Amplified Bible
Apostasy
4 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons,

Psalm 109:2-3
English Standard Version

2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.
3 They encircle me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.

John 13:2
Amplified Bible
2 It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom [regarding salvation] and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19 AMP

And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; Revelation 12:9 AMP

 

[Lyfe]

Satan is perfectly fine with morals and good deeds. He is fine with reformations and revolutions in the name of spreading love and peace. These things pose no threat to his kingdom at all and in fact often help to spread it.


2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Amplified Bible

11 I wish you would bear with me [while I indulge] in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me [as you read this]. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy because I have promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ. 4 For [you seem willing to allow it] if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted. You tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception]. 5 Yet I consider myself in no way inferior to the [so-called] [a]super-apostles. 6 But even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am not [untrained] in [b]knowledge [I know what I am talking about]; but we have made this evident to you in every way, in all things.
7 Or did I [perhaps] sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted and honored, because I preached God’s gospel to you [c]free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting [more than their share of] financial support for my ministry to you. 9 And when I was with you and ran short [financially], I did not burden any of you; for what I needed was fully supplied by the brothers (Silas and Timothy) who came from Macedonia (the church at Philippi). So I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, my boast [of independence] will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia (southern Greece). 11 Why? Because I do not love you [or wish you well, or have regard for your welfare]? God knows [that I do]!
12 But what I am doing I will keep doing, [for I am determined to keep this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things they brag about. 13 For such men are counterfeit apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will correspond with their deeds.

 

[Dalit]

This may be helpful. It's from a podcast I subscribed to, but hadn't listened to until recently. I like it.

I like how they mention how the enemy comes after Christians hard, trying to get them to doubt their salvation. Went through seasons of that, but then wasn't really sure I was saved then. If you belong to the enemy, he doesn't bother you with that tactic. It's like he says, "Nah, man/woman, you're good! You do good things; you don't cheat on your taxes, your spouse, your this that and the other. All good. Better than those Christians even."

Tactics of the Accuser (Part 1) - Theocast - Reformed Theology

Today's episode is the first of two on the tactics of the accuser, Satan, the ancient serpent who is the devil. Spiritual warfare is real, and as C. S. Lewis wrote, Christians tend to either hardly consider the devil's power or obsess over his power and activity. Neither of these perspectives...

theocast.org

 

[Lyfe]

This may be helpful. It's from a podcast I subscribed to, but hadn't listened to until recently. I like it.

I like how they mention how the enemy comes after Christians hard, trying to get them to doubt their salvation. Went through seasons of that, but then wasn't really sure I was saved then. If you belong to the enemy, he doesn't bother you with that tactic. It's like he says, "Nah, man/woman, you're good! You do good things; you don't cheat on your taxes, your spouse, your this that and the other. All good. Better than those Christians even."

Tactics of the Accuser (Part 1) - Theocast - Reformed Theology

Today's episode is the first of two on the tactics of the accuser, Satan, the ancient serpent who is the devil. Spiritual warfare is real, and as C. S. Lewis wrote, Christians tend to either hardly consider the devil's power or obsess over his power and activity. Neither of these perspectives...

theocast.org

The enemy has been trying to get me to doubt my salvation everyday for years. That's what he does. He's a tormenter.

 

[JoChris]

We should all bookmark this book! Precious remedies against Satan's devices: Thomas Brooks

The enemy has been trying to get me to doubt my salvation everyday for years. That's what he does. He's a tormenter.

we both need to start from here (p. 87)
CHAPTER 4: SATAN'S DEVICES TO KEEP SAINTS IN A SAD, DOUBTING, QUESTIONING & UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION

I am sure the great Puritan would not mind you cutting-and-pasting several paragraphs of his book whenever you feel led to, just give him the credit !

 

[JoChris]

P.132: Whereby he keeps poor souls from believing in Christ, from receiving of Christ, from embracing of Christ, from resting, leaning, or relying upon Christ—for everlasting happiness and blessedness, according to the gospel; and remedies against these devices.

DEVICE 1: By suggesting to the soul the greatness and vileness of his sins. What! says Satan, do you think you shall ever obtain mercy by Christ—you who have sinned with so high a hand against Christ? you who have slighted the offers of grace? you who have grieved the Spirit of grace? you who have despised the word of grace? you who have trampled under feet the blood of the covenant by which you might have been pardoned, purged, justified, and saved? you who have spoken and done all the evil that you could? No! no! says Satan, he has mercy for others—but not for you; pardon for others—but not for you; righteousness for others—but not for you. Therefore it is in vain for you to think of believing in Christ, or resting and leaning your guilty soul upon Christ (Jer. 3:5).

Remedy (1). The first remedy against this device of Satan is, to consider, That the greater your sins are, the more you stand in need of a Savior. The greater your burden is, the more you stand in need of one to help to bear it. The deeper the wound is, the more need there is of the surgeon. The more dangerous the disease is, the more need there is of the physician. Who but madmen will argue thus: My burden is great, therefore I will not call out for help; my wound is deep, therefore I will not call out for balm; my disease is dangerous, therefore I will not go to the physician. Ah! it is spiritual madness, it is the devil's logic to argue thus: My sins are great, therefore I will not go to Christ, I dare not rest nor lean on Christ. Whereas the soul should reason thus: The greater my sins are, the more I stand in need of mercy, of pardon—and therefore I will go to Christ, who delights in mercy, who pardons sin for his own name's sake, who is as able and as willing to forgive pounds as pence, thousands as hundreds (Micah 7:18; Is. 43:25).

Remedy (2). The second remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That the promise of grace and mercy is to returning souls. And, therefore, though you are ever so wicked, yet if you will return, God will be yours, and mercy shall be yours, and pardon shall be yours (2 Chron. 30:9): 'For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.' So Jer. 3:12: 'This is what the Lord says: O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.' So Joel 2:13: 'Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.' So Is. 55:7 'Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon,' or, as the Hebrew reads it, 'He will multiply pardon.' So Ezekiel 18.

 

[JoChris]

Have u tried some non-rockefeller medicine/remedy for your condition or to mitigate the side effects of those medicines ? I dont want to derail the topic so no need to answer,i just give couple suggestions. CBD for example helps alot of people with anxiety and depression and relieves pain.At the same time it's good for the liver.Healthy liver=clean blood.
Megadosing of vitamin C/ascorbic acid (10+grams a day) also gives to some people euphoric effect while also it's rather good for body ,cleans cells from all kinds of crap that doesnt belong there and you will probably never catch a cold/flu again.
Microdosing on psychedelic mushrooms also gives some people euphoric feeling while it doesnt make them "high".No radical change in thought patterns or no hallucinations or nothing like that.Like taking couple drops of alcohol wont make u drunk.

Thanks for your kind thoughts! You deserve some insight into my situation because of that. Brain surgery (1999) + medicines have effectively cured my epilepsy, but too-well controlled brain waves can lead to increased risk of depression and anxiety. I take multi-vitamins that are high in B complex and try to make my life as low stress as possible. Any drug or substance that affects my nervous system is a no-no in my opinion. Even Valerian had the opposite effect on me! I don't have alcohol because anticonvulsants do not mix well at all. I am trying to eat healthier as well since research has shown healthy gut bacteria = healthier moods in general.

 

[Lyfe]

Thanks for your kind thoughts! You deserve some insight into my situation because of that. Brain surgery (1999) + medicines have effectively cured my epilepsy, but too-well controlled brain waves can lead to increased risk of depression and anxiety. I take multi-vitamins that are high in B complex and try to make my life as low stress as possible. Any drug or substance that affects my nervous system is a no-no in my opinion. Even Valerian had the opposite effect on me! I don't have alcohol because anticonvulsants do not mix well at all. I am trying to eat healthier as well since research has shown healthy gut bacteria = healthier moods in general.

May I make a few recommendations? Do you use Amazon?

Curcumin is great for anxiety and basically everything, also fighting inflammation. Terry Naturally curcumin you can get at very high doses and it's pretty high quality. It's way more efficient than turmeric. It crosses blood brain barrier

High dose vitamin B1 (solgar and nutricost) are two of the only brands I know of that contain super high amounts. It's helped me allot the lower levels don't do much.

DHA

With B vitamins it's very beneficial to get the activated forms.

Acetyl L Carnitine good for brain and nervous system related impairments. So is it Alpha Lipoic Acid

Magnesium malate for anxiety and depression

5000 to 10000 iu of vitamin D3 and also zinc

All of these help with brain injuries or tbi or brain related problems and anxiety.

 

[Lyfe]

The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great “brotherhood.” It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to “the best that is within us.” It aims to make this world such a comfortable and congenial habitat that Christ’s absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again.

Arthur W. Pink, Satan and His Gospel

 

[JoChris]

May I make a few recommendations? Do you use Amazon?

Curcumin is great for anxiety and basically everything, also fighting inflammation. Terry Naturally curcumin you can get at very high doses and it's pretty high quality. It's way more efficient than turmeric. It crosses blood brain barrier

High dose vitamin B1 (solgar and nutricost) are two of the only brands I know of that contain super high amounts. It's helped me allot the lower levels don't do much.

DHA

With B vitamins it's very beneficial to get the activated forms.

Acetyl L Carnitine good for brain and nervous system related impairments. So is it Alpha Lipoic Acid

Magnesium malate for anxiety and depression

5000 to 10000 iu of vitamin D3 and also zinc

All of these help with brain injuries or tbi or brain related problems and anxiety.

We have a lot of multivitamins in the Woolworths supermarket so I should check out what is available the next time I go shopping.

 

[Dalit]

We should all bookmark this book! Precious remedies against Satan's devices: Thomas Brooks

we both need to start from here (p. 87)
CHAPTER 4: SATAN'S DEVICES TO KEEP SAINTS IN A SAD, DOUBTING, QUESTIONING & UNCOMFORTABLE CONDITION

I am sure the great Puritan would not mind you cutting-and-pasting several paragraphs of his book whenever you feel led to, just give him the credit !

I love the Puritans and am just getting to know them. Reading that particular book is a bit like a treatise, actually it is a treatise, and I will need to re-read it yet again (have read it in bits and pieces). They knew God back then in a way that I want to know God.

 

[Lyfe]

The thing about angry people is that they often can't and dont get better. One fit of rage usually leads to another and pretty soon they get a reputation for their constant yelling. God's word says that rage is actually a doorway for demon spirits to thrive in. Demons love anger, because they themselves are full of hatred and love inflicting violence and harsh words upon people. This is why angry people usually only worsen overtime. They are bound by a demonic oppression that they they opened the door to. Only through the power of the cross can their mind and heart be freed and released from all the bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and resentment pent up within their heart.

Ephesians 4:26-27
New Living Translation
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

2 Timothy 3:13
King James Version
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

[Lyfe]

We talk about how evil the government and hollywood has become, but the truth is that the blame goes directly on the churches and christians. I am definitely including myself in the blame too. God predestined the body of Christ to be his vanguard and the gatekeepers that stood between the masses( in spiritual darkness) and the forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

All the theft, looting, dishonesty, corruption, and communism being done by our puppet government is a result of christians failure to act on the assignment and mission that God has given to them. All the divorce and broken homes, all the souls drowning in addiction and despair, all the suicides, all the gender blurring, all the heinous crimes we see on television... These things are all the result of satans efforts to control society and the invasion of evil that we now see all around us. Its all spiritual warfare and it can only be combatted by the christian using their spiritual weapons and advancing the gospel that is meant to deliver people from the chains and strongholds of darkness.. This is why God calls us to not love the world and the things of this world, because it's all too easy to fall asleep and become at ease in zion while all the legions of evil spirits continue to set up their slave society all around us. We should all be seeking God and asking him what HE wants us to be doing. He will make a way for it to happen!

 

[Lyfe]

 

[Lyfe]

 

[Lyfe]

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luke 11:35

 

[Lyfe]

Satan and the powers of darkness target all people and all families, but they especially go after the church of Christ(individual members of his body who have been spiritually reborn and set apart). In scripture Satan is referred to as the tempter' and the accuser. He will assign demon spirits to those who belong to Christ. It's not uncommon where he will come in with those fiery arrows of temptation and after he has caused someone to stumble he will usually follow up with guilt, shame, regret, and condemnation. It's very important to be aware of these schemes and to not become trapped in this prison and snare of the enemy. Jesus shed his blood to cleanse us from all sin, all guilt, all condemnation, all regret. God doesn't remember our sins after we have genuinely asked for his mercy and sought his forgiveness. Neither should we.

The enemy wants you to believe you must have it all together to walk in the ministry (we all have a mission) that God has called you to. The truth is that you don't have to be super righteous to witness to anybody. You don't have to be a pastor to encourage someone or provide a word of exhortation. God doesn't want us to dwell on the past and live in condemnation after we have confessed our sins before him. He wants us to trust in his forgiveness and continue to walk in the mission he has assigned for us. The enemy wants you to live in regret and self condemnation. God wants you to confess your sins, receive healing, pick yourself up, and keep going! The truth is that none of us are good or righteous. We are all in flesh and, but mere dust. The Lord of hosts is THE ONLY one who is righteous and it's only by his righteousness and his spirit that we are able to even be a part of him and his mission. The flesh profits nothing. In our flesh dwells no good thing. Christ shed his blood to make atonement for our sin, because of his great love for which he has loved us. His blood was given that we didn't have to live in shame, rejection, guilt, regret, and condemnation. If you stumble then repent and ask for forgiveness, receive it, renounce the lies of the enemy and continue in the assignment God has given you in Christ!

Psalm 65:3
English Standard Version
3 When iniquities prevail against me,
you atone for our transgressions.

Psalm 130:3-4
English Standard Version
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 BUT WITH YOU THERE IS FORGIVENESS,
that you may be feared.

Zechariah 3:1-5
English Standard Version
A Vision of Joshua the High Priest
3 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and SATAN[A] STANDING AT HIS RIGHT HAND TO ACCUSE HIM. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! THE LORD WHO HAS CHOSEN Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by.

Romans 8:33
English Standard Version
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? IT IS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES.

 

[Lyfe]

The war is spiritual. Satan and his legions of evil spirits are all around destroying people's and families through divorce, addiction, pornography, and music. If someone is in Christ they have authority to command and rebuke lying and seducing spirits! Don't listen to them. Tell them to shutup and be gone in Jesus name!

Psalm 22:12-13
English Standard Version
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 THEY OPEN WIDE THEIR MOUTHS AT ME,
LIKE A RAVENING AND ROARING LION.

Psalm 57:2-4
English Standard Version
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame HIM WHO TRAMPLES ON ME. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4 MY SOUL IS IN THE MIDST OF LIONS;
I LIE DOWN AMID FIERY BEASTS—

1 Peter 5:8-9
English Standard Version
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

 

[Lyfe]

 

[Lyfe]

It's never been more necessary to abide in Christ and to walk in the spirit. You can just feel the oppression and spiritual darkness all around when you don't. I never have peace or joy if I attempt to go a day without first drawing near to and receiving of God in prayer. In fact when I don't everything seems infinitely heavier and you can just feel the spiritual oppression coming against you. It's miserable. Its easy to take his sustenance for granted until you try and go without it and quickly remember just how barren this world really is apart from him. The only way to live life is to BE FILLED with the holy spirit!

Ephesians 5:18
English Standard Version
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT,

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

John 14:27
Amplified Bible
27 PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

Ephesians 6:11-12
New Living Translation
11 PUT ON ALL OF GOD’S ARMOR so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.