SHUT THE DOOR, KEEP OUT THE DEVIL
A Believer’s Practical Guide to Spiritual Warfare
OPENING TEXT:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).
THE BIG IDEA: We need to be careful because our enemy, the devil, wants to destroy our lives. God’s Word gives us some keys to shut the door, and keep the devil out of our lives.
WHAT IS AN ANGEL?
• NT Greek name “angelos” = messenger
• Angels are not cute little naked babies with wings, they are mighty warriors.
• Angels are spirits created by God; people don’t turn into angels when they die (Ps. 148).
• Last year, I did a two part series of teaching on angels and demons – I won’t repeat all of that here. Check out “The Invisible Realm” online or get the CD for more info.
10 SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF ANGELIC MINISTRY:
1. Angels bring GOD’S WORD (message). (Matt. 1:20; 2:13,19; Luke 1:19,26-27).
2. Angels release REVELATION, dreams, and understanding. (Dan. 8:15-19; Rev. 1:1).
3. Angels give GUIDANCE and DIRECTION. (Acts 8:26; Gen. 24:7).
4. Angels bring DELIVERANCE. (See Is. 37:36; 2 Kings 19:35).
5. Angels provide PROTECTION. They protect believers. (Mt. 18:10; Ps. 34:7; 91:11).
6. Angels impart STRENGTH. (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:42; Dan. 10:16).
7. Angels release God’s HEALING. (John chapter 5).
8. Angels minister to God through PRAISE AND WORSHIP. (Luke 2:14; Rev. 5:11-12).
9. Angels conduct WAR. (Gen. 32:1-2; Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7).
10. Angels release God’s JUDGMENTS. (Gen. 19:11; Ex. 12:21-23; Rev. 16:17).
WHO IS THE DEVIL?
• Some people don’t believe in the devil, and have believed one of his greatest lies.
• If you don’t believe the devil exists, you’re not going to stand against his attacks!
• “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9).
• Rev. 12:4 tells us Lucifer took 1/3 of the angels in his rebellion. (Fallen angels = demons)
• The devil is the one who introduced sin into the world in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. They thereby handed over dominion of the world (which was theirs) to the devil (see Gen. 1-3).
• The devil steals, kills and destroys (John 10:10), deceives (John 8:44), tempts us to sin (1 Cor. 7:5), blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4), and brings strife (2 Tim. 2:23-26).
JESUS CAME TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL:
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8).
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38).
• As Jesus extended the kingdom of God, He was invading enemy territory.
JESUS GAVE HIS DISCIPLES AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL:
“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1-2).
• Jesus sent His disciples out with power and authority over all demonic powers.
“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20).
• Even though Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons, he reminded them to keep their priorities and focus in the right place – our relationship with God.
• STORY: When I first started attending church in 1990, the church was in the midst of a spiritual warfare fad where every problem was a demon. i.e. a toaster demon, etc!
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BIBLE STORY #1: PAUL & SILAS DEAL WITH A DEMON:
“16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.” (Acts 16:16-19).
• Some people think magic and the occult is all pretend. Although some so-called magic is merely illusion, there is an evil, demonic power that we must avoid!
• Therefore: stay away from Ouija boards, Tarot cards, horoscopes, fortune telling, etc.
• Although demonic powers are real, we don’t have to be afraid of them!
• When Paul commanded the demon to leave, it left.
BIBLE STORY #2: THE SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA TRY THE SAME THING:
“13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:13-16).
• Spiritual warfare is not a game, and it’s not about learning a formula.
• These seven men tried doing the same thing Paul was doing, but it didn’t work. Why?
• Because they didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus!
• Because they were dabbling with powers they didn’t understand, they ended up hurt.
HOW DO WE SHUT THE DOOR TO THE DEVIL?
“Don’t give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27).
• That tells me you and I determine whether or not the devil has influence in our lives!
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).
1. Get saved. Until Jesus is our Lord, we have no authority over the devil. In the armor of God, salvation is described as a helmet, the first and most important piece of the armor. (If you want to learn more about the armor of God, listen to my Bible study on “Spiritual Warfare” available on our website).
2. Walk in righteousness. When we sin, that opens the door to Satan. In the armor of God, righteousness is described as a breastplate, a vital component to winning the battle.
• Illustration: Flies are attracted to garbage. Get rid of the garbage, the flies will flee.
• If you sin, be quick to repent and confess that sin to the Lord.
3. Pray. This is one of the greatest tools we have against the enemy. (see Psalm 91).
4. Feast on the Bible. This is how Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations (see Matt. 4:1-11).
• When we hide God’s Word in our heart, it helps us keep from sinning (Ps. 119:11).
5. Guard your heart and mind. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” (Proverbs 4:23).
• You’ve heard the expression: “Garbage in, Garbage out.”
• This is why I don’t let my children read books or watch movies that glorify the occult or witchcraft: i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight, The Wizards of Waverly Place, etc.
• “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20). There’s no such thing as a ‘good’ witch, wizard, vampire, etc. They are all evil and demonic!
CHALLENGE FROM THE WORD:
“10b And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD… 14 The people you are about to displace consult with sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.” (Deut. 18:10b-14).
• God tell us to not practice witchcraft, magic or sorcery, so why watch it on TV?
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which (include) idolatry, sorcery (witchcraft)… (and) those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21).
• People who practice witchcraft will not enter the kingdom of Heaven!
ALTAR CALL:
Call to renounce any involvement or interest in the occult or witchcraft
Challenge to submit to God and resist the devil
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
