THE LIMITS GOD PLACES UPON SATAN

“Paul called his thorn in the flesh "the messenger of Satan" 2 Corinthians 12:7. The devil may not tempt anyone unless God allows it. When Christ went into the wilderness, He was led, not by an evil spirit, but by the Holy Spirit, Matthew 4:1. All that transpired was by God's permission. And the same Holy Spirit that led Christ into the field brought Him off with victory. As soon as He had repulsed Satan, we see Him marching into Galilee in the power of the Holy Ghost Luke 4:14.

Let Lucifer choose his way; God is a match for him at every weapon. If he assaults the saint by persecution, God will oppose him. If he works by a subtlety, God is ready there also. The devil and his whole council are mere fools to God. The more wit and craft in sin, the worse, because it is employed against an all-wise God who cannot be outwitted. In Paul's words, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men" I Corinthians 1:25. God is wiser in His creatures' weak sermons than Satan is in his deep plots; wiser in His ignorant children than Satan in his Ahithophels and Sanballats. "[God] disappoints the devices of the crafty" Job 5:12. By displaying His wisdom in pursuing the saints' enemies, God adds a sweet relish to their ultimate deliverance.”


Although we know that God does not tempt anyone He is aware of all that we endure and is ready at all times to assist us in the battle. 
We must remember that this life is not the totality of our existence but merely the beginning.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

SATAN IS UNDER A CURSE

“Satan, with all his wit and wiles, will never defeat a soul armed with true grace, nor will the contest ever end in a stalemate. Look into the Word. You will not find a faithful servant sifted and winnowed by this enemy, who did not come off with an honorable victory. Witness David, Job, Peter, and Paul, who were the hardest put to it of any upon record. And lest some should attribute their victory to their own inherent strength, the glory of the victories is attributable to God alone, in whom the weak are as strong as the strongest. There are two reasons why the Christian who seems to be so overmatched is yet so unconquerable 2 Corinthians 12:9; James 5:11.

The curse that lies upon Satan is God's curse. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. The Canaanites, along with their neighboring nations, were easy prey for Israel, though they were famous for a while. Why? Because they were cursed nations. The Egyptians were a shrewd people. "Let us deal wisely," they said. Yet God's curse lay like a thorn at Egypt's heart, and was finally her ruin. In fact, when the Israelites, themselves children of the covenant, sinned and became the object of God's curse, they were trampled like dirt under the Assyrian's feet.

An irrevocable curse clings to Satan from Genesis 3:14-15: "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou have you done this, you are cursed..." And as the curse works eternally against Satan, so it operates eternally in favor of the saints.

For one thing, it prostrates Satan under their feet: "Upon thy belly shalt you go" (v. 14). This prostrate condition of Satan assures believers that the devil can never lift his head-- his wily schemes-- higher than the saints' heels. He may make you limp, but he cannot take your life. And the bruise which he gives you will be rewarded with the breaking of his own head-- the utter ruin of him and his cause.”

Today’s culture portrays the Christian as powerless and unable to overcome Satan or the demonic. This is a lie and runs counter to all that the Bible teaches.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

COMFORT IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS

“Telling a trusting, godly friend of your struggles often brings relief. Satan knows this too well, so in order more freely to rifle the soul of its peace and comfort, he frightens it into silence.

If Satan continues to hound you, call in help and do not listen to the devil's counsel to the contrary. The very strength of some temptations lies in trying to keep them hidden. Telling a trusted, godly friend of your struggles often brings relief. Satan knows this too well, so in order more freely to rifle the soul of its peace and comfort, he frightens it into silence. "Oh, my," Satan says, "if your friends knew such a thing of you, they would cast you off. You had better hope they never find out!" He has kept many a poor soul in misery by swearing it to secrecy. You lose two blessings by keeping the devil's secret-- the counsel of your fellow brethren, and their prayers. And what a serious loss this is!

You have the assurance of victory if you are armed. We have seen the perilous straits of the unarmed soul; turn your thoughts now to the glorious prospects of a soul fitly armed. Who would decline the honor of serving in the army of the King of kings-- especially when victory has already been declared! This is the assurance Paul gives every saint who puts on the whole armor of God: "That you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." With this statement he places the enemy's potential back in proper perspective. He never intended to scare the saints into cowardly flight or woeful despair of victory when he acknowledged the enemy's might. Rather, he hoped to rouse them to vigorous resistance by promising them strength to stand in battle, and a sure victory afterwards. These two ideas are implied in the phrase "to stand against the wiles of Satan." Sometimes to stand implies a fighting posture Ephesians 6:14 sometimes a conquering position-- "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" Job 19:25. The earth, which today is the field for all the bloody battles between the saints and Satan, will one day be Christ's footstool, when not an enemy shall dare to show his head.”


God created us to be a people of spiritual and physical community. Scripture says we are the Body of Christ. It also says we are living stones of God’s temple. If you will seek out honest Biblical community your ability to enjoy this Christian life will be greatly increased.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

MAINTAIN ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

“Renew your repentance, as if you had never repented. Put forth fresh acts of faith, as if you had never believed, and you will beat Satan at his own game.

Still another way to fortify yourself against Satan is to preserve the hope of your salvation, which is promised through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Record God's special visits to you in the memory book of your heart. Paste in keepsakes of the occasions when He declared a holiday and came to you in festive robes of mercy, holding forth the scepter of His grace more familiarly than usual. Keep old receipts written in His own hand for the pardon of your sins.

"But," the doubting soul may ask, "what if I cannot grasp this assurance, or vouch for those evidences which I once thought to be true?" Then try the following prescriptions as a tonic for your ailing faith.

First of all, renew your repentance, as if you had never repented. Put forth fresh acts of faith, as if you had never believed, and you will beat Satan at his own game. Let him tell you that your former actions were hypocritical, or that they are old and worthless. What can he say against your present affirmation of faith? In this way, the very accusations he uses to drive you away from God, instead draw you closer to Him.

If he still haunts you with fears of your spiritual condition, then apply to the throne of grace and ask for a new copy of the old evidence, which you have misplaced. The original is in the pardon office in heaven, of which Christ is the Master. And if you are a saint, your name is on record in that court. Appeal to God, and hear the news from heaven, rather than listen to the tales your enemy brings from hell. If you would argue less with Satan and pray more to God about your fears, they would soon be resolved. Can you expect truth from a liar, or comfort from an adversary? Turn your back on him and go to God. Try not to worry. Sooner or later you will receive your certificate of assurance.”

Amazing Good Truth even if it came from 300 years ago!

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617