Deliver us from Evil…

21 Weapons to Use Against the Devil.

Yesterday, we talked about the battle each of us face in working out our salvation. I talked to you about being soldiers in the army of the Lord, and how we need to maintain our supply lines, communication, fuel supply, and how we have to have enough ammunition to fight with. We looked at the three arenas each of us face combat in.

 

I suggested several books that would help you continue to grow in this area of life and ministry, and I promised that this lesson I was going to put some bullets in your gun; that I would teach you how, when the devil shows his ugly self up in your life, to blast him, for it is not written, “Have mercy on thy devil”.

 

No, he is a murderer, and fully deserves the death penalty. When he shows up, shoot him on sight.

 

Here’s some bullets:

 

21 Weapons to Use Against the Devil.

 

1) THE BLOOD

(Exo 12:13 NIV) The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

 

(Rev 12:11 NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

 

As part of my daily prayer, I plead the blood of Jesus over myself, my family, and all that belongs to me, including my harvest.

 

2) It is written!

(Mat 4:1 NIV) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

 

(Mat 4:2 NIV) After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

 

(Mat 4:3 NIV) The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

 

(Mat 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

 

(Mat 4:5 NIV) Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

 

(Mat 4:6 NIV) “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”

 

(Mat 4:7 NIV) Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”

 

(Mat 4:8 NIV) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

 

(Mat 4:9 NIV) “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

 

(Mat 4:10 NIV) Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'”

 

(Mat 4:11 NIV) Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

(John 8:31 NIV) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

 

(John 8:32 NIV) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

Again, as I said previously, the devil is a defeated foe. He knows it. There is no power encounter needed between you or the devil, you serve ALL-mighty God. No, there is only a truth encounter needed. Simply do like Jesus when Satan shows up, and tell him, “It is written!”. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit, that takes off his head every time.

 

3) THE SPIRIT

(Rom 8:2 NIV) because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

 

(2 Cor 3:17 NIV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

(Isaiah 59:19) So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in, like a flood  the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. {might: or, army}

How well we who serve God know these verses.

Jesus said, John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me}

When the armour of spiritual warfare is described we find

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We see the sword we wield is the Holy Spirit’s sword, and there is a lance to be wielded that will pierce every darkness, that is prayer in the Spirit. Rick Renner has done much study in this area, and has several books on this topic. (Dressed to kill)

The truth is, in practical day to day living, we must learn to be led by the Holy Spirit, and we will overcome all the work of the devil.

 

4) THE CROSS

(1 Cor 1:18 NIV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 

(Col 2:14 NIV) having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

 

(Col 2:15 NIV) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 

In the Old Testament, God was worshipped through the sacrifice of animals upon His alter. In the New Testament, there is only one alter, that is the cross of Jesus Christ, where Jesus offered up His life as a sacrifice for sin, once and for all, for all humanity. It is there that we find our personal alter of sacrifice unto God, where we offer up our sin and selfish plans and desires to Him, in exchange for His will and way for our lives. The cross is truly both an alter of sacrifice for all mankind, for there is no other way to God except through Jesus, and a place to alter our behavior in true repentance unto Him. Jesus won over every demon spirit at the cross. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; {imaginations: or, reasonings}

2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

5) THE ANOINTING

Isaiah 10: (KJV)

²⁷ And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

The anointing destroys the yoke of bondage!

(Acts 10:38 NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

 

The word Christ literally means, the anointed one. It is not Jesus last name. Prophets, Priests and Kings were anointed in the Old Testament, as a setting apart unto God and recognition of God’s authority in that person’s life.

 

John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. {make…: or, hold us in suspense}

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

Jesus is the anointed one, and where His authority is established, His power is demonstrated. Jesus himself told the Jews that He is the anointed one, set apart by God, and that that very anointing demonstrated itself in the mighty miracles and works that He performed. He is still Lord, and all authority in heaven and earth are His. His anointing will deliver you from any evil.

 

6) THE NAME Mk 16:17, Acts 3

(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

 

(Acts 3:1 NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon.

(Acts 3:2 NIV) Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

(Acts 3:3 NIV) When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

(Acts 3:4 NIV) Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

(Acts 3:5 NIV) So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

(Acts 3:6 NIV) Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

^{Acts 3:16} And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

At the name of Jesus, heaven stands at attention, and demons and sickness must stop in their tracks. Jesus is the name above every name, and is the gateway of all power between heaven and earth.

You and I have been granted heaven’s delegated authority here in the earth. As God’s ambassadors, when we call upon the name of Jesus, heaven’s artillery manifests: power from Holy Spirit, angelic hosts all move against wickedness, when we use the authority given us through His name!

 

 

7) THE PRESENCE

Ps 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

(Psa 68:2 NIV) As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

Psalms 97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

 

Psalms 114:7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

 

Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

When God shows up in tangible manifestation, things change.

Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

 

Jeremiah 4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

 

In a worship service conducted by a man named Bob Fitts in front of a huge idol’s temple in Asia, the presence of the Lord manifested. When it did, the entire temple behind them toppled over by the power of God. The presence of God brings change to any situation.

God inhabits the praises of His people – devils can’t stay there!

 

8) WORSHIP

2 Chronicles 20:1-22, Ps 149

 

(2 Chr 20:17 NIV) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'”

(2 Chr 20:18 NIV) Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.

(2 Chr 20:19 NIV) Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

(2 Chr 20:20 NIV) Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”

2 Chronicles 20:(KJV)

²⁰ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

(2 Chr 20:21 NIV) After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

(2 Chr 20:22 NIV) As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

(2 Chr 20:23 NIV) The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

(2 Chr 20:24 NIV) When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

(2 Chr 20:25 NIV) So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value–more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.

 

(Psa 149:1 NIV) Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

(Psa 149:2 NIV) Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

(Psa 149:3 NIV) Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

(Psa 149:4 NIV) For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

(Psa 149:5 NIV) Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

(Psa 149:6 NIV) May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,

Psalm 149: (KJV)

⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

(Psa 149:7 NIV) to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,

(Psa 149:8 NIV) to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron,

(Psa 149:9 NIV) to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD.

 

We see in these two portions of Scripture where the enemies of God were destroyed through worship.

 

9) PRAISE –

Psalms 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. {ordained: Heb. founded}

 

This article says it better than I can: https://www.idisciple.org/post/praise-as-warfare-1
10) MUSIC

I remember a concert of Praise once in Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa, Ontario. It was poorly attended, and the mosquito’s looked like they were going to win. There was a man there who was leading the worship team, who had been a guitar player for the band: ‘Meatloaf’. In the midst of his performance, singing was going nowhere so he took off on a guitar solo that literally rent the heavens! Singing didn’t bring the presence of God in that meeting, but prophetic music did.

11) SINGING – Psalms 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. {give…: or, confess}

Psalms 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalms 98:1 A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Isaiah 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. {vexation: Heb. breaking}

Jeremiah 20:13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

 

 

 

12) JOY

 

(Neh 8:10 NIV) Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

(Rom 14:17 NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

Ever heard the saying “He laughs in the face of adversity.”? Well this is a Biblical response to evil set up against us. When wickedness arose against God and His cause in the earth, hear His response:

 

Psalms 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

 

Might as well view life from God’s viewpoint, and laugh along with Him.

 

13) FAITH

 

(Eph 6:16 NIV) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(1 John 5:4 NIV) for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Faith works by love, but entire movements are devoted to proclaiming what faith in God can do.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. {Have…: or, Have the faith of God}

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

If a mountain is in your way, do what this verse says to do. Command it to move, in Jesus name.

 

Faith is the muscle of God in the earth.

 

 

14) CLEAR CONSCIENCE

 

(2 Cor 6:7 NIV) in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;

(Acts 24:16 NIV) So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

 

Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He is slimy, accusing of things we didn’t do, and then blowing out of proportion mistakes we have committed. Keeping a clear conscience before God will eliminate him from our thought life, and then our actions, ensuring a victorious life.

 

15) LOVE

 

(1 Cor 13:8 NIV) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

(Mat 5:44 NIV) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. {gave…: Heb. added all that had been to Job unto the double}

 

Make a decision to walk in the love of God, no matter what your feelings appear to be saying. Do good anyway, no matter what other people do to you.

 

16) FORGIVENESS

 

(John 14:30 NIV) I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,

Unforgiveness will give Satan a hold, as we already studied in depth.

 

(Mark 11:25 NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

 

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness is not an option for a Christian, it is a command.

 

I read an article on longevity once, that claimed that there are over 50,000 Americans alive today that are over 100 years old. A minister did a study on some of the characture traits these people had in common, and came up with a number of interesting thoughts. One of these was that all of these older people refused to hold a grudge, and were quick to forgive. You can get this incredible teaching series from Rev. Keith Moorehttp://www.morelifenow.org

17) HUMILITY

 

(2 Tim 2:24 NIV) And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

 

(2 Tim 2:25 NIV) Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

 

(2 Tim 2:26 NIV) and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

 

(1 Pet 5:5 NIV) Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

Grace is God’s available power to act on our behalf. When we humble ourselves before God, God gives us grace.

 

One of my former pastors said it to me this way, “Chris, if you develop the habit of consistently humbling yourself before God, God will never have to humble you before man.” I endeavor to live by that advice still.

 

18) GIVING

 

(Mal 3:10 NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

 

(Mal 3:11 NIV) I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.

 

 

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. {pour…: Heb. empty out}

Malachi 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. {destroy: Heb. corrupt}

 

The term Lord of Hosts used here is one where God goes to battle. When we tithe, God goes to battle on our behalf. Sowing seed will meet your need.

 

Oral Roberts has been heavily attacked for his book, “The miracle of seed Faith”, yet the laws of seedtime and harvest are eternal. I believe in seedtime and harvest, and continually sow seed, watching as God continually meets my every need. There are times when circumstances look impossible, that I feel directed of God to sow a special seed, to see God move on my behalf.

 

Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. {received: Heb. found}

 

What should we give? Where should we give it? These are not formula’s that can be answered outside of personal relationship with Jesus, Lord of the Church.

 

Like Mary, John 2:5 Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

 

 

19) PRAYER

 

(Eph 6:18 NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

 

(Jude 1:20 NIV) But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

 

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

 

Entire courses are taught on the topic of prayer, the life-blood of the church. Continue to grow in your prayer life.

 

 

 

20) SUBMISSION

 

(Eph 5:21 NIV) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 

(Eph 5:22 NIV) Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

 

(Eph 5:23 NIV) For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

 

(Eph 5:24 NIV) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 

(Eph 5:25 NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

 

(Eph 5:26 NIV) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

 

Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 

Story about man in healing school – wife wore the pants in that marriage. He had simply given up, and died.

 

Story in Eaganville – Mother lived with family. Controlled husband. Wife became ill, almost died. I rebuked husband, for not being head of his home. He repented, God dealt with mother in law, and healed wife.

 

21) GOODNESS

(Rom 12:21 NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

 

There is one weapon that is rarely mentioned, which is extremely effective. It’s called:

 

THE MIND TO SUFFER.

 

(1 Pet 4:1 NIV) Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

 

(2 Tim 2:3 NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

 

(2 Cor 11:23 NIV) Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.

 

(2 Cor 11:24 NIV) Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

 

(2 Cor 11:25 NIV) Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

 

(2 Cor 11:26 NIV) I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

 

(2 Cor 11:27 NIV) I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

 

(2 Cor 11:28 NIV) Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

 

(2 Cor 11:29 NIV) Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

 

(2 Cor 11:30 NIV) If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

 

(2 Cor 11:31 NIV) The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.

 

(2 Cor 11:32 NIV) In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.

 

(2 Cor 11:33 NIV) But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.

 

Obviously, this servant of the Lord suffered much for the gospel. You will too, as stubborn people persecute you for walking with our Lord.

 

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

Summary: Know thy enemy. Any one of these tactics is more than enough to destroy Satan as he shows up. Yet, Holy Spirit has great fun in this, leading us to different victories by different methods as our life progresses. This material is worthy of review over the years, always remembering that ‘greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’

 

Footnote: This material was originally taught at Elim Bible Institute by Rev. Ben Dodsweitz. I have expanded upon it over the years, but it still keeps growing in me, 20 years later.