Satan is (v.11)
And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan – Revelation 20:2 (NASB95)
I am in a (v.12)
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. – 1 John 5:19 (NASB95)
The Good News is that we fight
…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, – Ephesians 1:19-22 (NIV)
Spiritual forces can affect the
…there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” – Luke 13:11-12 (NASB95)
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs – Luke 8:27 (NIV)
…crying out and cutting himself – Mark 5:5 (NKJV)
Satan’s Goals
1. Keep unbelievers
…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, – 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB77)
2. To keep Believers as as possible
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)
Devour: katapino – to drink down, i.e., gulp entire (Strong’s)
Satan uses schemes (v.11)
Schemes: methodei – a “method” (trickery) (KJV)
wile, lie in wait. (Strong’s)
Satan’s Favorite “Scheme”
Here’s How:
teaching
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times (the latter times CWSB) some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, – 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV)
Uses to catch me and display
me
against me to make me feel
…for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
– Revelation 12:10 (NASB95)
Uses deep to make me
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; – Hebrews 12:15 (NASB95)
To fight effectively I need to:
for the battle, firm and back (v.13)
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand (anthistemi) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (histemi). – Ephesians 6:13 (CWSB)
Withstand, Resist: – anthistemi – to stand against, i.e., oppose (Strong’s)
Decide that I’m all in (v.13)
…having done everything, to stand firm. (v.13) (NASB)