SATAN'S NATURE AS A SPIRIT

“Devils do not die. They will track you to your grave, and if you die Christless, they will meet you in another world to accuse you and torment you there also.

In addition to being immaterial and highly intellectual, spirits gain a distinct advantage by being immortal. Of other enemies, you may hear at last that "they are dead which sought [thy] life," as the angel told Joseph concerning Herod Matthew 2:20. Wicked men walk a turn or two upon the stage, then are called off by death; so end their plots. But devils do not die. They will track you to your grave, and if you die Christless, they will meet you in another world to accuse and torment you there also.

These wicked spirits are indefatigable. When the fight is over among men, even the conqueror must sit down and catch his breath. His strength has a limit. Other men, successful by human standards but deprived of their own personal goals, lose their will to fight and give up in despair. Tertullian said of Diocletian that he threw down his scepter in a fit of pique when he was unsuccessful at stamping out Christianity. He could not kill Christ's followers as fast as they were being born into the kingdom, so at last he gave up altogether and sought some other fiendish amusement.

But the devil never becomes dispirited, nor does he tire of doing mischief to the souls of men. He has not stood still for a moment since he first began to walk to and fro in the earth Job 1:7. Indeed, God Himself must bind him hand and foot to stop his feverish activities.

Not only are devils spirits, but they are extremely wicked spirits. God is called the Holy One because none is as holy as the Lord. The devil is called the "wicked one" because he is uniquely evil Matthew 13:9. What we know of him from Scripture gives us a measure of the height of his wickedness, and can be used to judge the degrees of sins and sinners among men. The formula is simple. The more we are like God, the holier we are; the more like the devil, the more wicked.”


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

The nature of Evil Spirits-2

" The wisest human being is as far from the angels' intelligence as the earth is from the heavens.

Fallen man, helplessly immersed in the flesh, will not readily believe what he cannot see with his mortal eyes. On the same grounds, we might deny the existence of God Himself, because He is invisible.

What a clever trick on the part of Satan, to make us think that if we cannot see something, it does not exist! A sinner may carry Satan in his heart and walk all day long in his company, yet never notice him. Like a horse with blinkers, he feels the crack of the whip that drives him to selfish ambition or lustful desires, but never sees the face of the driver. But Satan is there-- whether you see him or not. When your passions are on a runaway course, hell-bound for destruction, you can be sure it is the devil himself who spurs them on.

Another characteristic of spirits is that they are highly intellectual. They are smarter than other creatures because they come closest by creation to the nature of God. By diligent study, men have accumulated vast stores of scientific knowledge. Still, the wisest human being is as far from the angels' intelligence as the earth is from the heavens.

No doubt the fallen angels lost the use of much of their celestial knowledge-- all their wisdom as holy angels, in fact. What they now know of God has lost its savor, and they have no power to use it for their own good. Jude's assessment of wicked men applies to them: They misuse the knowledge they have been given to corrupt themselves further (v. 10). They know the holiness of God, but do not love Him for it. They know the evil of sin, and do not love it the less. And though they are utter fools with regard to their own destiny, evil spirits are more than a match for all the saints on earth-- except for one thing: We have Almighty God to play our game for us!

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10 Q & A on Angels pamphlet, go to this link. http://www.rose-publishing.com/wayne-newcomb/ and search for this pamphlet. You will many other great study tools at this site. If you use this link you will also help us advance the Good News of Jesus as well.


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

The Nature of Evil Spirits

"Frequently the devil himself is called a spirit: the "unclean spirit," "foul spirit," "lying spirit."

The inherent nature of the devils themselves, as well as the character of their works, is included in the description, "spiritual wickedness." Some interpret this to mean "against wicked spirits." That is true, as far as it goes. But it overlooks an additional truth, in that the passage refers not only to the spiritual nature of devils but also-- in fact, chiefly-- to the nature and kind of sins they perpetrate. These sins are the apples of temptation which they most often use to poison the saints. Such sins are the "spirituals of wickedness." Not gross, fleshly sins which ignorant sinners, like swine, wallow in-- butspiritual sins, which are much more subtle and perhaps even more despicable.

This brief phrase, "against spiritual wickedness," when taken in context, presents us with three doctrinal conclusions: (1) The devils are spirits; (2) The devils are consummately wicked spirits; and (3) These wicked spirits use spiritual wickedness both to persecute the saints and to provoke them to sin.

The devils are spirits. The word spirit has several meanings in Scripture. It is often used to describe angels, both good and evil ones Hebrews 1:14, 1 Kings 22:21. Frequently the devil himself is called a spirit: the "unclean spirit," "foul spirit," "lying spirit."

What, then, are spirits? And, more particularly, what are the special characteristics of evil spirits?

First of all, they are immaterial-- not made of matter like humans. "Handle me, and see," Christ said to His disciples, who thought they had seen a spirit, "for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" Luke 24:39. We have no evidence to indicate that sin altered Satan's basic substance. As Lucifer, son of the morning, his essence was immaterial; as Satan, prince of darkness, he is immaterial still.”

It is always helpful to know more about your enemy, so that He cannot surprise you with his schemes.

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

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

"Strive for wisdom, not so that men will respect and admire you, but so that they will celebrate God's greatness.

The Word of God is called a light unto our feet-- not to our tongues, merely to speak about-- but to our feet, to walk by. Getting knowledge is your work; opening your heart to understand is the work of the Holy Spirit. But you must ask Him for wisdom and believe He will give it to you. God has promised wisdom to those who "ask in faith, nothing wavering" James 1:6. Strive for wisdom, not so that men will respect and admire you, but so that they will celebrate God's greatness. The end of every human effort should be to magnify His name. Go to God with David's prayer on your lips: "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works" Psalm 119:27.

Do not give up when the lessons are long or hard to understand. Scripture promises, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord Hosea 6:3. The mysteries of Christ are not learned in a day. Too many read a chapter or two in the Bible, then for lack of interest put it down for weeks at a time and never look at it. Bernard compares the study of the Word and the mere reading of it to the difference between a close friendship and a casual acquaintance. If you want genuine knowledge, he says, you will have to do more than greet the Word politely on Sundays or nod reverently when you chance to meet it on the street. You must walk with it and talk with it every day of the week. You must invite it into your private chambers, and forego other pleasures and worldly duties to spend time in its company.

Do you long for great intimacy with your heavenly Father? Then meditate often and long on His Word. David likens the Word for sweetness to honey and the honeycomb. Like the honeycomb, the Bible is so rich and full that at first reading some wisdom will now and then drop from it. But unless you press it by meditation, you leave the most behind." 


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

USING THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE

"Do not hesitate to pray boldly. God gives wisdom to all who ask, and He gives generous, heaping portions. 

Perhaps you have only a small light to lead you into truth. If so, follow it closely. When it casts a shadow on anything-- even the smallest speck-- convincing you it is sin, flee from it at once. Or if your light leads you into action for the Lord, follow eagerly and wholeheartedly. How else will your knowledge of the truth grow fat and healthy, unless you exercise it regularly?

Here is a word of caution: use your knowledge properly. God will not bless anyone who uses knowledge as an excuse to sin. Nor will He increase your knowledge of Him if you keep it shut up in your conscience, afraid to confess Him before men. The light of truth in a man's heart is like a candle flame-- it must have air to flourish. If you keep it hidden for very long, what little knowledge you have will be taken away. Learn a less from what happened to the heathen described in Romans who "[held] the truth in righteousness... and their foolish heart was darkened" Romans 1:18,21

Pray for more wisdom. God is the repository of all knowledge and wisdom. To excel in the school of divinity, you must study upon your knees. This is the way to place yourself under God's tutelage. You may attend lectures or study in the world's great universities to gain knowledge of Scripture, but wisdom to apply its precepts comes from God alone. If you wish to be wise, pray, pray, pray! Holy conversing with His yields sanctified knowledge.

Do not hesitate to pray boldly. God gives wisdom to all who ask, and He gives generous, heaping portions. Never be ashamed to go to Him in your ignorance. He is not like those rude, unfeeling teachers we have seen who seem to delight in mocking the ignorance of their pupils. He is a kind teacher, and your desire to learn pleases Him. While everyone does not achieve the same level of understanding in this life, all who come with earnest, open hearts will receive ample instruction to prepare them for the kingdom of heaven.“

Today’s devotional is both powerful and something we need to have written deep within our hearts. Remember, “Do not hesitate to pray boldly. God gives wisdom to all who ask, and He gives generous, heaping portions.”

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

IGNORANCE OF TRUTH

"The less time you have, the more diligence you must use to gain knowledge. Every ignorant soul is the willing slave of Satan!

Are you young? Inquire after God early, while your talents are fresh and your memory is strong. The feet of those lusts which have carried millions of others to perdition stand ready to carry you off the same way. How easy you make their task when you refuse to open the eyes of your understanding and fortify yourself with the knowledge of God.

Perhaps you intend to rouse up from the sleep of ignorance at the eleventh hour, which you suppose is many years away. How foolish! You cannot see the hands on God's clock; therefore, you cannot know how long your stay in the world will be. If you die ignorant of God and His law, what will become of you? The prospect is not pleasant. The small twigs and the old logs-- supple young sinners and withered old ones-- will meet and burn together.

Are you old and still ignorant? Perhaps you hear nature tolling the passing bell. You know you will shortly come to the end of the road that leads into eternity, but you cannot see what lies in the darkness beyond. The less time you have, the more diligence you must use to gain knowledge. Though knowing the truth of the Gospel is no guarantee of salvation, gross ignorance of it is a sure guarantee of damnation.

Are you poor and ignorant? Your sin is not your poverty, but rather your ignorance of where the true treasure lies. "Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished" Ecclesiastes 4:13. If the princes of the world could only see the end from the beginning, they would beg to trade their ermine robes for the saints' rags. Christian, new robes are being made for you in heaven, which you shall put on-- while they shall be left naked in their shame."

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

TRAINING YOUR CHILDREN

" Do your best while they are young and in your constant care, to win them to God and set them on the road to heaven.

You also fail yourselves by leaving your children in a state of ignorance, for you heap upon yourselves the consequences of their sins as well as your own. When a child breaks one of God's commandments, it is his sin; but it is also the father's if he never taught the child what the commandment of God was. Wicked children become heavy crosses to their parents. When a father or mother must trace the source of wickedness to his or her own neglect in training the child, cross is laid upon cross and the load becomes unbearable. Can there be a greater heartache in this life than to see your own child running full speed toward hell, and know that you were the one who outfitted him for the race? Oh, do your best while they are young and in your constant care, to win them to God and set them on the road to heaven.

Most important, you fail God when you rear an ignorant child. Scripture tells of those who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Among others, this includes parents who lock up the knowledge of salvation from their children. Where is the parent who will rob his own son's house? Yet this is what you do if you neglect his spiritual education. For you keep in your pocket the gold talent God intended you to give to your child. If you leave no godly inheritance, what will happen when you die, and the truth of the Gospel is buried alongside of your rotting bones?

If you are God's child, then your children stand in closer relationship to the heavenly Father than the children of unbelievers. God depends on you to nurture them as you have been nurtured, and to protect them at all costs from the devil's education. Training your children up in the ways of the Lord is no casual suggestion. Your refusal to obey, whether the product of deliberation or neglect, will pay you bitter wages when you stand before the King of kings in the judgment.” 


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