Tuesday 12 August 2014

Part 7: Dark Secrets; The Devil and Deception.

Part 7: Dark Secrets; The Devil and Deception.



Dear Friends,
Welcome to the darkest blog of the series.
Before I start on this topic, let us go back in time to Part 2, The Rise of Nimrod and copy paste an excerpt from there to remind us that the future is linked to the past:

Excerpt:

"Babylon began its history under Nimrod and remains the name given to a system that is actively opposed to the will of God on the earth. Babel/Babylon was the beginning of man's organised rebellion against God, the beginning of a dominance that draws its adherents away from following after the ways and purposes of God.

Its end

Yet again, God calls His people to 'come out of her' this time in Rev 18:4 and He promises destruction and judgment upon the Babylonish systems that are so opposed to His will (18:2).

Let us be warned!

If, like the Jews in exile, our lives are so integrated into the present world systems, when God executes judgment upon them for our benefit we will not respond with the Hallelujah chorus of 19:1-3, but we will fall with it.

Any world system that pulls us away from serving God must be removed from ourselves.

Although there is a freedom in Christ, it is not a freedom that is licentiousness, an excessive liberty (Jude 4) that causes us to become entangled in pursuits that rob us of the life of God (II Timothy 2:4).

b. Nimrod Strongs Hebrew number 5248 Heb 'rebel'

Genesis 10:8 - '[Nimrod] began to be a warrior upon the earth' ( I Chronicles 1:10)

Nimrod began to be a 'warrior' or 'mighty one' (see point d under the introduction). The Scripture does not say that he was but that he began to be. Like his kingdom which is spoken of in verse 10, his renown as a warrior begins but it has no end.

In similar language, the Bible speaks about 'all that Jesus began to do and teach' (Acts 1:1) meaning that His earthly ministry was only the start of what He continued to do through His followers after He'd ascended into heaven (Mark 16:20).

This calls for a rethink in our interpretation of the passage. Whereas it is right to see Nimrod as a historical figure who laid the foundation of his own kingdom in the land of Shinar, we need to realise that he is a type of the one who is the instigator of the movement of rebellion against the rule of God (as Nimrod's name suggests - see point a under the introduction).

Therefore, in a passage previously mentioned above (Is 14:4-20), the prophecy directed at the 'king of Babylon' (who is, in Genesis, Nimrod) speaks about satan (v.11-20).

Satan’s strategy in the garden of Eden had been to pull God's creation away from a pure relationship with Him by deceit and lies (Gen 3:1-5). Now, after the flood, he aims to unite man together (Gen 11:4) in a movement that is in rebellion against God's purposes.

Nimrod is spoken of as being both a hunter and a king (by inference of him having a kingdom), but these two characteristics are incompatible. Ungers writes 'Whereas a hunter gratifies himself at the expense of his victim, the shepherd expends himself for the good of the subjects of his care'

Nimrod, therefore, was not God's choice of leader.

His hunting abilities were aimed at men - he hunted them to bring them under his own sovereignty and control. This was where his own strength lay, not in his prowess of catching game, but in capturing men to do his own will.

Satan, like Nimrod, is a hunter-king and not a shepherd-king. As previously noted, a hunter-king rules at the expense of his victim and it is this that satan does when he captures men to do his will. As it says in Is 14:17 - satan '...did not let his prisoners go home', meaning that his rule was not one of liberty but of continual bondage.

Nimrod is the name here given to the power behind the man who began to hunt out and capture men to establish its own dominion of rebellion against God throughout the entire earth.

NB - It is satan's intention to destroy mankind (Gen 3:15), but he uses men to do his will in as much as it destroys both God's creation and undermines God's will.

His end

Nimrod's end is in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10) where he will be punished forever. The spirit of Nimrod will be banished from the earth along with the Babylonish systems over which it rules. "

Please read some passages from the Old and New Testaments regarding satan:


Suggested result

1 Peter 5:8 [Full Chapter]
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.


Bible search results

Job 2:3
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Luke 13:16
Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
 
47 Bible results for “satan.” Showing results 26-47.
Acts 5:3
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Revelation 2:13
I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Revelation 20:7
[ The Judgment of Satan ] When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
 
 
 
I hereby post another article on the names of satan that show his characterstics:
 

Names of Satan

The Bible calls Satan by many different names. Each name has a slightly different meaning. The many other names for Satan give a fuller picture of who Satan is and what he does. There are more names for Satan in the Bible than for anyone else except Jesus Christ.

Abaddon

Hebrew name for Satan meaning “Destruction”. “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11

Accuser

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” Revelation 12:10

Adversary

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Angel of light

“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

Angel of the bottomless pit

“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11

Anointed covering cherub

"You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones." Ezekiel 28:14

Antichrist

“And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:3

Apollyon

Greek name for Satan meaning “Destroyer”. “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11

Beast

“9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.’” Revelation 14:9,10 Who is the beast?

Beelzebub

“Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” Matthew 12:24

Belial

“And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:15

Deceiver

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

Devil

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Dragon

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

Enemy

“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.” Matthew 13:39

Evil one

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Father of lies

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

God of this age

“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

King of Babylon

“That you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: ‘How the oppressor has ceased, The golden city ceased!’” Isaiah 14:4

King of the bottomless pit

“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11

King of Tyre

"Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”’” Ezekiel 28:12

Lawless one

“8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10

Leviathan

“In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong,
Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent,
Leviathan that twisted serpent;
And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.” Isaiah 27:1

Liar

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

Little horn

“ 9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.” Daniel 8:9-11

Lucifer

"12 How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.'” Isaiah 14:12-14

Man of sin

“3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4

Murderer

“44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

Power of darkness

“13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14

Prince of the power of the air

“1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1,2

Roaring lion

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Rulers of the darkness

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

Ruler of demons

“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” Luke 11:15

Ruler of this world

“31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:31,32

Satan

“And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” Mark 1:13

Serpent of old

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9

Son of perdition

“3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4

Star

“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.” Revelation 9:1

Tempter

“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’” Matthew 4:3

Thief

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Wicked one

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16
This list of names for Satan has been taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
There may be other names for Satan in the Bible. Please send me an email if you know of a name for Satan that I have missed.
Very soon Satan will leave the spirit world that he has lived in for thousands of years. He will become visible to us and will claim that he is God. The Bible calls him the beast.
 
 
 
History of satan is copied in the following article:
 
 

History of Satan

The history of Satan began with riches and honor. Satan had a glorious future. Then he became jealous and proud. He refused to repent and his future became dark. The events of history continue as Satan comes to earth and tries to become the god of this world.
Satan has caused more sorrow, pain, and death than any other individual in the history of the world. He delights in destruction. Satan would like to destroy every person on earth.
As you read the history of Satan, know that Jesus is stronger than Satan. Jesus loves you and desires to save you.

History of Satan – past

Satan was created by God thousands of years ago as a perfect angel. Satan was called Lucifer and he lived in heaven.
Lucifer was above every other angel in heaven. His appearance was beautiful and dazzling. He radiated light and glory. He was covered with gold and shimmering jewels. Lucifer was the Chief Covering angel and he worked in the throne room of God.
12 "You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
14 You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”
Ezekiel 28:12-14
 
Lucifer spent a lot of time with God the father and Jesus Christ. They met together frequently to share ideas and make plans. They were very close to each other and were in perfect harmony.

Lucifer became proud

Just over 6,000 years ago God and Jesus had a private meeting and Lucifer was not included. Lucifer became jealous. He set out on a campaign to prove that he was above Jesus. Lucifer began to be proud of his own glory and wisdom.
"Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” Ezekiel 28:17
"you have set your heart as the heart of a god.” Ezekiel 28:6
Over time one third of the angels in heaven chose to side with Lucifer and to worship him instead of Jesus. God made tireless efforts to persuade Lucifer to repent and return to God. Lucifer almost relented, but he would not give up his pride and humble himself. He refused to admit that he was wrong.

Lucifer thrown out of heaven

Eventually Lucifer became entrenched in his pride and God could no longer influence him. God reluctantly removed Lucifer from his position of Chief Covering angel. Lucifer was thrown out of heaven, along with the angels who had chosen to follow him.
"How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.'” Isaiah 14:12-14

History of Satan – present

Satan is alive and real. He got the name Satan after he was thrown out of heaven. Satan and his angels are demons. They live in the spirit world. They tempt and influence people on earth, but most of the time they are invisible to us.
Satan has many names. He is also called the devil, Dragon, Serpent, Beelzebub, Abaddon, Apollyon and many other names. The names of Satan lists many of his names from the Bible.

History of Satan – future

Very soon Satan will be released from the spirit world. He will appear on earth in a glorious, physical body. Then Satan will be called the beast. He will pretend to be God and he will have the appearance of God.
The beast is the name for Satan when he comes visibly to the earth claiming that he is God. His demons will come with him and they will appear to be angels from heaven.
How long will be beast be on earth? Satan will be given 3 ½ years as the visible god of this world. During this time he will try to convince every person on earth to worship him. Do not be deceived. He is not God and you should not worship him.
Who will worship the beast?

History of Satan – ultimate end

Satan will be physically on this earth for 3 ½ years. During that time he will disguise himself as God. After the 3 ½ years he will be put in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years. During the 1,000 years Satan will not be allowed to tempt any people.
“1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.” Revelation 20:1-3
At the end of the 1,000 years Satan will be released from the bottomless pit for a short time. He will gather the wicked together and they will fight against God and His people. God will bring fire down from heaven to destroy the wicked. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire. He will never again tempt any person.
“7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10
The universe will be eternally secure from sin and Satan. Sin will never rise again.
“What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.” Nahum 1:9
 
 
Further Is satan the beast?
 
 

Is Satan the Beast?

Yes, Satan is the beast. But when Satan comes as the beast he will not look like the Devil. He will look like God.
Very soon Satan and his evil angels will be allowed to inhabit physical, visible bodies. They will visit people and talk to them. They will not appear as hideous demons. They will appear as God and glorious angels from heaven. They will deceive most of the people on earth.
When Satan appears on earth in a beautiful, shining body he will claim that he is God. This is who the beast is. The beast is Satan appearing on earth as a radiant, heavenly being, claiming to be God.
 
So, Now we know the history of satan. We also know that he influenced the fallen angels. So satan is called:
 
1. Destruction
2. The Accusser
3. Adversary
4. Angel of light
5. Angel and King of the bottomless pit
6. Anointed covering cherub
7. Anti christ
8. Destroyer
9.Beast
10. Ruler of demons
11. Deciever
12. Devil
13. Enemy
14. Evil one
15. Father of lies and Liar
16. God of this age
17. Lawless one
18. Serpent, Fleeing serpent, twisted serpent
19. Little horn
20. Lucifer
21. Man of sin
22. Son of perdition
23. Opposser
24. Murderer
25. Power of darkness
26. Roaring lion
27. Devourer
28. Wicked one
29. Star
30.Thief
31. Tempter
32. Prince of the power of air.
 
Wow what a resume! By now I hope after reading all the parts of this blog, I don't need to specify that the future is the past repeated.
What we have to realize very clearly is that satan and his cohorts are not to be debated with. They have thousands of of years of practice. Plus we note a major point about satan, ie. he is the one who leads astray, decieves and then condemns and accusses before God.
 
SATAN'S GREATEST STRATEGY: ATTACKING YOUR MIND!
 
What?????????????
Again, Satan decieves people, leads astray, then he condemns those same people and accusses them before God, so that God judges those people to eternal Hellfire.
What a class act. Satan as seen in the above passages influenced David and Peter. Great men of God, to disobey God. He tried to tempt Jesus very cleverly too, he quoted scripture which shows his knowledge of the Word of God. Jesus being the one who actually knows what He told the prophets and the correct context to it replied him back in a "slap in the face" manner. Satan then departs from Jesus.
 
Satan has the biggest arsenal of Weapons of Mass Destruction, that is actually abstract but the most efficient and effective. THOUGHTS!
 
You might think that satan would use something more aggressive, like ghosts, spirits to scare someone. Or some other sort of method. Nope.
 
The thought process is what he influences. Look again at what he is called and then realize what he actually does.
 

      Satan's different strategies and deceptive works

 
1. Satan's biggest lie and deception is to make people he does not exsist. How can you believe in God but not believe in the devil? Oh My, Now we have a dillema.
If we believe in God, and God says beware of the devil, but don't believe in the devil, then we don't believe God. If we believe in God, and believe in the devil, what are we doing with our lives? Are we fighting against the enemy or passively going through life? If satan can make you believe he is harmless and you don't stand up against him, he will allow you to continue in your thought process. Why waste time on someone who is already defeated.
 
2. The next big lie is to show himself harmless, like a cartoon character, a small devil with horns, holding a pitch fork, clowning around. Dark humor, making jokes about himself, portraying himself like a comdeian is one of his tactics. If you can believe he is some joker, he won't bother you at all. Again you have been defeated in your thought processs so no time is wasted on you.
 
3. He exhalts himself above god: That means he wants to be worshipped rather the God. So he created false religions where idols, stones, books, false doctorines, occultism, stars and planets, sun, moon, things in the earth, sea and air are worshipped. For there he can lead many to eternal damnation. He creates traditions, superstitions, and all the evil he did before the flood in Noahs day. Now if he can lead you down that path, again you are defeated and this time he will allow you to defend yourself from the truth by way of religious debate. Please note, the Gospel was meant to be preached not be forced upon. God Himself said, Preach the good news of the Gospel. He never said force it on someone. That is why Jesus said many many times, "let those who have ears, hear". It is not for us to convince anyone. We are to preach only. God's Word does the rest. That is why the church should not enter into debate over religious matters.Satan is a master debater, forget any management guru, any eloquent professor, satan is the best debater, by far.
 
4. He is the spirit of Nimrod, creator of all false religions. Nimrod worshipped fire. And all those who did not worship his god of fire were put to death. He invoked fire at all his religious meetings. He will rise up again, in same manner and in same fashion. Different look, but will use his cunning to cause you to sin. His next tactic is fear, fear of loss of job, possessions, family, health and life. If he can make you fearful with anxiety, worry, inaffectionate, unkind, full of anger, full of pride and fearful of your future, and for your security, making you take hasty decisions or fearful decisions instead of waiting on God, he has triumphed over you.
Why does Jesus repeatedly and consistantly say " Be not Fearful!" Do Not Fear"
"Why do you Fear?" Fear not"? For this same purpose. So that you wait on God plans to unveil rather than create havoc in your life by making fearful decisions.
THIS IS A MAJOR WEAPON OF SATAN!!!!!
 
5. Once you come to God, satan becomes the oppresser, he overtakes your life by influencing other people around you to give up God and stay in tradition. He uses people to influence your thought process. He causes disturbances in your life, so that eventually you get weary and say that this idea of going to God is not worth the pain and suffering. Let me abandon this God and go back to the way I was.
 
 
 
 
 
 
All lies, murders, oppression, decieving, adversity, lawlessness, wickedness, greed, covetousness,pride, ego. adultery, corruption, obsession, jealousy,vanity,exhalting oneself, and depraved mindedness come from thoughts. Thoughts planted by the devil making it seem that they are yours and only yours, thus being decieved.
 
Jesus was very clear on this subject in;
 
 
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
 
 
Mark 7:15
Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.


 
Remember, heart here refers to your mind. Where your mind is set on is the most important thing in life. I would like to give a few examples that you will be familiar with in your life.
 
You see a beautiful person, you pass a comment in your heart, "wow, look at her/him"
"Hmmm i wish I could have her/ him"
Now most people would just walk by and be self restrained to take any action on that thought. But now the thought is planted. A fiery thought. You might go home and think about that person, now satan is influencing your thought process telling you, that you should go and visit that person again, find her/him.....sometimes to extremes to reach a point of rape or murder or both, due to obsession.
 
Another familiar aspect in this scenario is when one woman gets offended at seeing a couple where the male is handsome and the girlfriend or wife is not that good looking, or when a man sees a couple where the man is not good looking but the wife or girlfriend is beautiful, the comment is the same in both cases being" How come they are a couple, I'm much better looking than the one they are with, what a loser, how can such a loser get such a beautiful spouse? etc. etc."
 
If the mind is set on worldly things then "the god of this age" is your god.

Some workplace thoughts planted by satan:

"why did this bozo get a promotion?" I'm much better than them"
"He/ she must be sleeping with the boss" I'm going to show them their place"
" I don't want to teach anyone what I have learned or know otherwise I will lose my job. I need the boss to need me and not the other way around"
Office politics anyone? Trying to manipulate your collegue, influence them so they fall flat on their face and you come out on top?
Or rather lie and spread rumors against somoeone so that your faults are not displayed rather the unsuspecting victim of your jealousy, pride and ego gets the boot.
Or tell the boss that the work done by your staff or a member of your staff is actually yours, so you get all the praise and promotion?
Or force someone to resign by making their workplace, and worklife miserable to such an extent that they can't take it anymore.
Or just for those pig skinned people who outrightly lie, condemn and then have the guts to defend their thoughts and actions?

6. Signs, wonders , and miracles: Satan will use signs, wonders and miracles to decieve many people. It could anywhere from a card trick to calling fire from the sky. His methods are unique and depending on whom he wishes to fool, he uses.

7. The fallen angels and the earthly angels: This is contraversial. The bible says satan unleashes 200 million creatures from the depth of hades( not to be confused with hell)
Thus creating a merger between the earthly and ex-heavenly army.

Some more bible verses:

1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV)
4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer

1 Timothy 6 verse 4-5:
They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

2 Timothy 2:

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene.


I hope that now I have cleared that satan is a master debater and we are not to get into a discussion with him.

Instead the Apostle Paul says something very interesting;

"1 Timothy 6:12 [Full Chapter]
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
 
LOL..........Laugh out loud in joy. Hmmmmm. Many people just go by this verse without realizing what it means.
 
Here's a golden nugget for thought. What fight is a good fight? Obviously where you know you are going to win in a fight is a good fight. You still have to fight each round.
But victory is assurred. That is what Paul is saying. When you have faith, your faith is your victory over every battle. So you already have won salvation and the kingdom of God, why worry who comes against you in battle in this world. He will be destroyed.
You have already won before the battle even started, but he doesn't say is that you will not get any bruises or scars, or a black eye. That is left unsaid. So thinking we will come out unscatthed is a foolish assumption, and not a practical one. We will fall, we will be knocked down and definitely hurt, but not defeated. We just need to get through the fight, no matter how many rounds.
For victory we need to take hold the eternal life that we got when we confessed Jesus is the true Son of God in the presence of many witnesses. Witnesses? I made my confession while I was alone.....so who are these witnesses....well they are the Angels of Heaven. They are witnesses to all those who call on Christ....He is their commander as we earlier saw. And they are many in number.
 
 So Now we know our enemy, and have been made aware of his devices and strategies. Let us discuss now in detail:
 
 In Part 8: The Victory and Prayer Battles.


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