Jeremiah
32:27 -
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of
all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
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Your told that you have complete authority over Satan and his demons, and with the slightest word from you, Satan flees like a frightened school girl when you say: "In Jesus Name". Unfortunately, this didn't work out so well for the Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest. (Acts 19:13 thru 16) Acts 19:15 - And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"Acts 19:16 - And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Actually, if you picture that scene in your mind, it's rather humorous. ADVERSARY - (Means arch enemy) Nowhere in the bible is it written that Satan is "God's" adversary. However, it is found once in the new testament, that Satan is "our" adversary. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:~ FALSE MYTHS ABOUT SATAN ~ Many of us have had the impression burned into our brain that Satan is a hideous, vicious, repulsive looking creature, with horns, a tail, snake eyes and a forked tongue that would literally "scare the hell" out of anyone unfortunate enough to ever see him with their naked eyes. This could not be further from the truth. According to scripture, Lucifer was one of the most beautiful angels God had created. There is nothing written that would lead us to believe that he went through any type of physical transformation after the fall. Ezekiel 28:12 - In this verse, when God speaks of the king of Tyre, he is referring to Satan. In God's own words, Satan had the "seal of perfection", was "full of wisdom" and was "Perfect in Beauty". Think about that for a moment. We constantly see extremely beautiful people all the time on television and in magazines, but if allowed to look closer, we could surely find a flaw or two if we looked hard enough. Satan was "Perfect in beauty". Not just by our standards, but by "God's" standards. The point is, if you were to ever see Satan with your own eyes, you would not be frightened out of your mind. Instead, you would be awed and impressed by one of the most beautiful of God's creations. Which, by the way, would make it much easier for him to deceive you. Satan is very clever, (according to God, "full of wisdom") while he has had us all on the lookout for a repulsive monster that we can easily recognize and flee from, he's been sitting in the church pew right behind you, all along. (Sometimes, even behind the pulpit) HOW WE PERCEIVE SATAN This modern day vision of what we perceive Satan to look like, was not given to us by God or described in the bible. It was gradually added by man. Over the centuries, we have taken bits and pieces from Pagan God's and deities, and pieced together our own image of Satan, and what we think he should look like. The result was "not" based on either fact or scripture. The pitch fork - was derived from Poseidon's trident. (Poseidon - Greek God of the Sea and earthquakes) The color red - from the Egyptian evil deity/God "Set". (Seth) The Horns & tail - come from the Greek God "PAN" (horns) (God of Shepard's and Flocks) or the Canaanite deity "HABAYU" (who had horns and a tail) ~ SAFE ON HOLY GROUND? ~ Surely, by now, someone has said: "But Satan can't enter into the church! That's Holy ground". Besides, "I wear this cross around my neck to protect me!" "If he comes near me, I'll throw this Holy water on him and boy will he be sorry!" If you believe that, you have watched just one too many vampire movies, instead of reading your bible! If Satan can enter freely in and out of the throne room of God, he can also enter in and out of your church at will. Job 1:6 - Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.Job 1:7 - And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (See also: Job 2:1 and Zechariah 3:1)DEMON'S AND ANGELS! Before this article even went online, I received an email asking: "WHY DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF A DEMON ON YOUR WEBSITE?" The insinuation I believe, was the same as if I had spit on the cross or something. It confirmed to me that this article needed to be written. Think about it. If demons truly resembled the picture above, then so would angels. Angels and demons are the same breed or race of beings, they are just on different sides of the fence. After the (debatable) rebellion in heaven, a third of the angels chose to follow Satan. They have been referred to as "demons" from that point on. Just like the opposing armies of the civil war looked alike, but one side wore gray and the other side wore blue. One side was referred to as "Union" and the other side as "Confederates". Or "Yankee's" and "Johnny Reb's". It is the same with angels and demon's. They have different names, their on different sides, but they look alike in appearance. SATAN IS UNDER YOUR FEET? Before you get too all fired up and carried away while watching that preacher make a fool of himself, stomping around the stage, shouting "SATAN, IS UNDER YOUR FEET!", don't go stomping too hard! To my knowledge, God "never" said Satan is under your feet. God was speaking about Jesus (Christ) his son, when he said that. God did not even say he would put Satan under his angels feet. Hebrews 1:13 - Satan is "not" under your feet! God told his son to sit at his right hand until he made all of his enemies a footstool under "his" feet, and I'm not completely sure that has happened yet! Hebrews 10:13 - waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.~ BEWARE THE RELIGIOUS FORMULA'S ~ When you hear hype coming from the pulpit, ("you're the head, not the tail" - "Satan's under your feet" - "This is my bible, I am what it says I am etc..." - "God will pour out a blessing that you can't contain") it's usually always something designed to put power in "your" hands, while reducing your dependency on God! Every preacher seems to have a formula. And every formula seems designed to put your money in their pocket, while promising you power in one form or another. (this concept more resembles witchcraft, than it does Christianity) If you're seeking power, you're not seeking God! "Prosperity, health and peace of mind, are the side effects of seeking God with all your heart". In this day and age, Christianity seems to have been reduced to, attending Church to see what God can do for us! Everyone is looking for the magic formula, and preachers are getting filthy rich selling theirs. There is only one formula for true prosperity. Jesus gave it to us, and I share it with you on this website. ~ HOW SATAN WORKS - WHAT YOU "REALLY" NEED TO FEAR! ~ I have no doubt that Satan truly hates us. However, to be realistic, If Satan truly were in a war with God over the souls of men and was so powerful that the outcome or the winner of the battle was uncertain, he would simply kill us and get it over with. The truth is, Satan is subject to God. Satan can do nothing to you, without first getting God's permission. Satan can influence you, but he can not physically harm you without direct permission from God. Not only did Satan need permission to afflict Job, God gave him specific details of what he was allowed to do to Job, and what he was "not" allowed to do. We've been so programmed by the religious hype peddlers, to believe that Satan is lurking around every corner, that if we misplace our car keys, it must be an attack from Satan, and we feel we need to cast demons out of our house. First you should know that Job was under God's protection. I believe that anyone who seeks God with all their heart and has a personal relationship with him, are under his protection also. God had to remove his protection from around Job before Satan was able to afflict him. Job 1:10 - "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.Job 1:12 - Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.Some would argue that this all happened "before" the fall, and Satan can no longer enter the presence of God, but it is obvious that Satan was allowed to roam freely in and out of the throne room of God, even in Jesus' day. (and we can assume, even now) Luke 22:32 - but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."Does this sound at all like there is a great war going on between God and Satan, and that no one knows who the winner will be in the end? Even Satan is subject to God's authority, and Satan knows it. The danger for you, is the many hype preachers promising you power over Satan and giving you verses and scriptures to chant that will make him flee. These things resemble witchcraft, not Christianity. As I stated earlier, Satan "can" influence you, and that's bad enough. When James wrote: He was speaking mostly about fleshly desires, and if you resist the temptation, Satan will not be persistent and eventually leave you alone. God gave the disciples authority to cast out demons. Although we were all meant to be disciples, very few of us are. If your pastor is not a disciple, he can't very well make you one can he? God created you to be dependant on him. God wants to supply all of your needs. God wants a personal relationship with you! Many preachers lead you to believe that you simply sign the guest book, and then you magically have all the power that Jesus had. Power over demons and evil spirits, power of healing and miracles, and unlimited prosperity! The problem here is, if you believe that, then it takes away your dependence on God. However, God "wants" you to be dependent on him. Peter was one of the original disciples and was given authority over demons and evil spirits, but that did not make him exempt when Satan demanded to "sift him like wheat".
If you want you and your family to be protected against the attacks of Satan or evil spirits, unless you are a disciple, ask God for protection. Depend on him, and not on power that someone told you you'd have if you just accept Jesus. Accepting Jesus does not make you all powerful, it makes you "Saved". Disciples do indeed have power and authority from God. However, disciples do not use their power for themselves or for selfish gain. Disciples do not wear expensive clothes and jewelry, live in mansions or ride around in limousines. They do not perform their works in view of large cheering audiences, as though it were entertainment. They do not get rich selling the word of God. If you want to be rich and famous, don't seek to become a disciple, take a business course, or singing and dancing lessons. Matthew 23:10 - "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.Matthew 23:11 - "But the greatest among you shall be your servant.Matthew 23:12 - "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.WHAT IS A DISCIPLE? The easiest definition of the word Disciple is: "Disciplined One". Many people, with the help of many preachers, throughout many generations, have misinterpreted the meaning of being a disciplined one. Being disciplined for Christ, is not a list of "don'ts", it is a list of "do's". If you have a checklist of things "not" to do, such as: Don't drink, don't smoke, and don't associate with those sinners who do, then you've totally missed the mark. Being a disciple means disciplining yourself to: Include God in every area of your life, Talk to him about "everything" in your life, (skip the formalities and talk normally, one on one with him) and share his message! Once you have developed a habit of doing these things, it eventually becomes as easy for you, as "thinking". If you have not had this type of personal relationship with God, then you shouldn't be asking why you didn't get your miracle, healing, or answer to your prayer. On the other hand, if you want to watch God do amazing works in your life, heal your marriage and crush your enemies, then start disciplining yourself, and make a personal relationship with God your goal. FEAR GOD - NOT THE DEVIL! Don't fear Satan, Fear God! Everything is under God's authority, including Satan. It is the Lord that you do "not" want to provoke to anger. If you anger the Lord enough, he could put an evil spirit on you himself. That sounds impossible doesn't it? God putting an evil spirit on a person? 1 Samuel How many times have you heard preachers tell you that: God can't lie, or God can't do this or that, because God is Love and God is perfect etc... Throughout the ages, we have put God into a neat little box, where he is convenient to take out and use as we wish, then put him neatly away again. God doesn't like being put in a box. Although his son came as a servant and an example, for our sakes, God does not serve us, "We serve God". If you want to quickly gain favor from the Lord, love his son! The truth is, God can do anything he wants, whenever he wishes. God is not limited. He does not have to be (or act) any certain way. The only thing God needs to be God, is to have the power that he has. It is simply a bonus and a blessing for us that he is the way that he is. "Awesome" And that he loves us. Can the Lord cause a person to lie? Would he? Would the Lord speak evil against anyone? 1 Kings 22:23 Would Jesus lie? John 7:8 - "Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come." John 7:9 - Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.John 7:10 - But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret.Do you get my point yet? God can do anything he pleases. It is GOD that you need to fear! We've been given the impression for generations that Satan is a powerful hideous monster, lurking under the bed and in the basement and around every corner, and God is the kindly old man who just forgives anything we do. That's not quite true! The truth is, if God truly likes you, he tends to overlook your shortcomings. Well meaning (and sometimes not so well meaning) preachers throughout generations have twisted scripture in order to make God fit neatly into the mold they have made of him. One such twisted scripture is: Acts 10:34 Throughout the ages, people have been deceived into believing that God treats us all equally and doesn't favor any one person above another. No matter what! The truth is, God "does" favor those who love him, fear him, respect him and seek him with all their heart! The above scripture simply means that salvation is for everyone, not just the Jews alone. This is quite clear if you back up a couple of verses and read them in context. God can and will favor you! That however, depends on "you". (need a miracle? healing? protection? blessing?) ENEMIES There are those people that we are forced to deal with from time to time, who are inherently evil. But for the most part, you'll find that your enemy is just a pawn being influenced by Satan. When you pray (ask God) to bind Satan from your enemy, you are cutting off your enemies source of power and influence. Once Satan is cut off from that person, you'll usually find that he or she is just a pussy cat. Again, it is God that you need to be pleasing to. He controls your enemy. Romans 8:31 Pray for protection from the evil one. If you have a personal relationship with God, you are under God's protection. Without God's permission, Satan can not physically touch you. Have a personal relationship with God and talk to him constantly, and it's unlikely that he would ever grant Satan permission to attack you, or interfere in your life. Health and prosperity are simply the side effects of having a personal relationship with God. NOT ALL BAD THINGS COME FROM THE DEVIL Before someone emails me and says: "Why did God allow Satan to give me cancer, heart disease or other diseases". I would say, that Jesus healed people "and" cast out demons! Not every disease is from Satan. We live in a dangerous world, with dangerous people, and dangerous diseases. If you have not been seeking a personal relationship with God, and have not been praying daily for protection against these things, God didn't allow it, "You did!" (It's not too late) I have harped on and on about the personal relationship throughout this website until people are probably sick of hearing about it, but there is a reason for that. Your personal relationship with God is "Everything". It will make all the difference in your life, and the lives of those closest to you. (give it some serious thought) INTERESTING FACT LUCIFER - The name Lucifer is not particularly a persons name. It is found only once in the entire bible. KJV (Isaiah 14:12) It simply means "The Morning Star". God Bless You Dan Douglass ~ GIVE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD ~ Make checks or money orders payable to:
Last Updated
06/07/2010 |
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If
you are alive today,
(and I suspect you are if your reading this) you have been taught,
as I have, that Satan is the ultimate enemy of God. You've also been taught
that God hates Satan, and Satan hates God. You've watched preachers on TV or
even in your own Church, stomping around the stage shouting: "Take that Satan!!
He's under my feet!!" and encouraging you to do the same.
