Every Christian has an enemy

Every Christian has an enemy.

Although unseen by the natural eye, this adversary is not imaginary nor a mythological character. Satan, the Devil, is a real person… a spirit being, with intelligence, tangible characteristics, and whose incessant goal and ambition is to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Around the clock the enemy is on the prowl, seeking to cause harm and destruction to all believers and the work of Jesus Christ throughout the world. With military-like strategy and ruthless hostility, the devil aggressively searches for weakness in our faith and spiritual life, hoping to devour us with deception, temptation, or oppression. He is the personification of all that is evil and is the author of every despicable work. Regardless of whether we realize it, Satan has targeted us as a victim. He knows our name and address, our strengths and weaknesses. Forces lurk, waiting, planning for the moment they will strike when we are caught off-guard. He desperately hopes that we will, as many Christians, remain ignorant of his reality so that we will blame his assaults on somebody or something else. His method of operation is almost always “undercover.” Subtly, he manipulates hindering circumstances and inspires evil thoughts or temptations, disguising his activities behind the shroud of people or things. He will always seek to divert attention and blame for his actions upon others. But make no mistake; he is the real enemy, not your husband, wife, employer, government or Christian brethren! “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). One of the greatest problems in the body of Christ is our ignorance of His existance in a very real as a true adversary. After our salvation we think all is well and now we are heaven bond and nothing can hinder us in this godly pursuit of ours. “WRONG”!

We as the body of Messiah need to wake up spiritually and smell the roses. We have all the Old and New covenant scriptures as lessens to help us discern the enemy’s tactics.  Remember he has at least six thousand earthly years of experience in under his wings. Compare to him we are not a match. His fiery darts are being shut at us on daily basis. He is after us to destroy our walk in Christ and steal our anointing from us. Remember the persistent pursuit of Samson by Delilah and his end. Remember also the friendship between kings Ahab of Israel with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, how their unlawful friendship almost had the king of Judah killed by the enemy.

These two ofcource are some of the Biblical examples of how men were enticed by the Devil in falling into very serious traps. In these examples we see satanic persuasion and personal lack of obedience’s that gave the enemy a foothold in their lives. Satan is after not only our salvation, but our anointing. He hates God and He hates His anointed. He is a serious opponent of all those who carry on themselves God’s anointing. Since it is through anointing that every yoke is broken.

Remember King Saul and His election and anointing by Prophet Samuel and remember his tragic end. Please let us not take this adversary of ours granted.

Some of us are more Hideous and careful in guarding our physical amenities, than our greatest treasure, which is the life of God in dwelling in us.  Although the Bible says the devil has no authority on a beleiver we should still examine in what cases and under what circumstances.

Satan has no Rightful Authority over Believers .The good news is that, although the Devil is described “like” a “roaring lion,” in reality he has no actual authority over believers. He is not really a lion, but roars “like” a lion would to bluff his victims into fear and intimidation. Satan is a liar and deceiver and uses deception as his weapon to gain advantage over those who are ignorant of the limitations of his power.
When Jesus gave his life on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world, He also redeemed us from Satan’s power and dominion over us. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Praise God! Satan is already a defeated enemy! His legal authority was neutralized by the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Every Believer has Authority over Satan

So if Satan is already defeated, why then is he still able to cause trouble? Because, even though Christ broke Satan’s legal power, the Lord has left it up to us to “enforce” the Devil’s defeated condition. It’s our responsibility to use the authority that Christ has given us to put Satan in his place.
As a believer, you need not fear Satan, but realize and exercise the authority which God has given you over the Devil. Every person whose name has been recorded in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (all those who are saved) have been given authority over the power of the Devil. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). You have the right to use the authority of the name of Jesus to repel and drive Satan out of your territory and to break his grip over spiritual strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).

When you and I recognize Satan’s activity and covert operations, we should take authority over him in the name of Jesus! Just as Jesus and the early apostles did, command Satan to leave (Mark 16:17). The Devil hates the name of Jesus and detests an atmosphere of praise and worship which exalts the name of Jesus. Christ said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Be assured, the presence of Christ will expel the presence of Satan. Lifting up Jesus in praise will send the Devil running! But when do we have the right to use this authority? When we walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. While walking in the flesh no authority can be legally exercised. This truth is known by the devil and that is why he fights us.

Therefore we need to Slam the Door on the Devil

The name of Jesus will drive Satan away. But it would be futile to order Satan’s departure if we leave the door wide open for him to flourish. The Bible tells us to not “give place” for the Devil (Eph. 4:27). That is, provide no area of your life where Satan can be comfortable or establish strongholds.
The enemy can always be found working in those who entertain sin, disobedience, rebellion or a self-willed nature. Unforgiveness toward others is another area which Satan flourishes (2 Cor. 2:11). Furthermore, any area of your life which is not submitted to God is considered open territory to the Devil, and he has the right to bring his expanding influence to those areas. This is why the scripture says, “…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

The only way to actually resist Satan is to submit ourselves fully to God. This was what Jesus was referring to when He said, “…the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30). Jesus had submitted himself to God, and although the Devil would try Him, there was nothing for the Devil to use to gain an advantage. Rejoice Christian! God is in you and YOU have been given power over the Devil!

 By submitting to God, and exercising your authority in the name of Jesus, you are more powerful than the enemy. “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Therefore let us be sober and vigilant and watchful giving ourselves to God means to also be led by his Spirit and walking in complete awareness of that men around us can b used by the devil and we need to always heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.