Ignore The Devil…At Your Own Risk

Ignore the Devil…at Your Own Risk

For many years I have run into Christians who tell me, “I don’t think about the devil…I only think about Jesus,” or “Don’t talk to me about the devil…talk to me about Jesus,” or, “I ignore the devil…he is not worth my time,” and many similar statements along that vein. The attitude of the Christians who have made such statements to me has been “holier than thou” or know-it-all.

The serpent was in the garden. Satan was cast down to the earth with all his demons before Adam was created, and now he is not only the prince of the power of the air  (Ephesians 2:2), but the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Trying to ignore the devil and his demons is like living in a house full of serpents and scorpions crawling around on the floors and trying not to step on them. If the devil was not an innocuous personality, ignoring him might work. However, he is here to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Even the Lord Jesus was tempted of the devil. But unlike most Christians, our Lord was fully aware that he was being tempted and by whom. And He knew how to deal with it.

Christians who ignore the devil are unable to recognize temptation when it comes or realize that the one behind the temptation is the devil. So they fall into the trap, reap the ensuing consequences and still don’t know what hit them when it’s over.

Satan is also behind many human diseases and infirmities that will not get healed unless the spiritual dimension is addressed and dealt with. Those who ignore the devil will have to live with ailments that are demonically caused.

The early Christians did not ignore the devil. Paul said that they were not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Paul also said that our battle was with the devil (Ephesians 6:12).

Since Paul was not ignorant of the devil, he not only thought about the devil, but also studied his “modus operandi”. All of us need to do that, but particularly the shepherds of the sheep, who many times tell the congregation to follow their lead in ignoring Satan.

History has shown that shepherds who have ignored the devil and opposed the deliverance ministry have fallen into the worst of temptations. They experienced dire consequences because they could not recognize the temptation or the devil behind it. These shepherds were easy prey with the end result being broken marriages and/or churches damaged or destroyed.

 

Do not ignore the devil!

 

Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 2:2)

In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)


Addictions and Compulsions

Addictions and Compulsions

Human beings are composed of spirit, soul and body (I Thessalonians 5:23). Some scholars believe that soul and spirit are one and the same; however the word of God indicates otherwise. Mary, the mother of Jesus, in what is known as The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-47), states that she has a soul and a spirit.

When someone becomes a born-again Christian, his/her spirit is cleansed and filled with the Spirit of God. The soul, however, remains in the same state it was before conversion. So does the body, except in rare circumstances where the act of conversion brings a miracle healing.

The soul is comprised of the mind, the will and the emotions. While the Christian’s spirit cannot be touched by the enemy, the soul and the body can be and often are subject to the enemy’s attack. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ commanded the disciples to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons. (Matthew 10:7-8)

The mind, will and emotions can be manipulated by the enemy. The control of the enemy in one of these three areas could be greater than in the other two areas. In the case of addictions and compulsions, the area more heavily manipulated is the will. The will has been surrendered to the enemy. The enemy dictates what the person is going to will.

When we hear the word addiction, we think mainly of drugs or alcohol, possibly gambling. However, people can have other addictions and compulsions, some that are clearly sinful and some not: eating, smoking, sex, pornography, self- stimulation, sports, music, etc. I knew a young woman once who was addicted to aspirin. She was an employee of mine, and she would go through a large bottle of aspirin in a week. Another employee was addicted to soft drinks, and drank about eight or more a day. A Christian woman I knew was addicted to shopping. A “sweet tooth” is nothing more than an addiction to sugar.

People addicted might not realize that they are addicted until they try to stop the addiction. Then they realize that they are not in charge of themselves. They cannot do what they want to do. The strongman that manipulates their will is the one in charge.

To be delivered from the addiction, the person needs to realize that there is an evil entity controlling their will, and they need to believe that Jesus Christ can set them free from that evil entity. The person needs to submit their will to Jesus Christ and have the resolve to walk away from the addiction. Next, the strongman must be cast out. Thus deliverance will be accomplished. However, the enemy will try to come back, but the person must resist. (James 4:7)

And the very god of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my savior. (Luke 1: 46, 47)

And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10: 7, 8)

Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)