Surviving In Satan's Realm Series

Transitional Sentence: Because Satan is a real threat, Christians make time to understand what caused his fall. Ezekiel 28:15-17 reflects the heart that rebels. “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth…”

It is imperative that you understand that God did not create the devil. The Lord God created an angel and gave angels the power of choice. Along with his perfection, the devil also had freedom, just as you and I. Despite Lucifer’s privilege, position, and power – Lucifer chose pride. (“Kingdom Authority, Dr. Adrian Rogers) Pride can destroy an angelic being. Therefore, pride is something that should be feared by all who want to enjoy their authority in Christ.

Christians who enjoy their authority in Christ approach the danger of pride as did Charles Spurgeon, “This great preacher was keenly aware of the dangers of pride. After his sermon one Sunday, Spurgeon was met by a woman who exclaimed, ‘Oh, Mr. Spurgeon, that was wonderful.’ ‘Yes madam, thank you’ Spurgeon replied,

Then Spurgeon thought about this compliment and about compliments he had received on other messages. He wrote, ‘Genuine compliments are no sin, but the puffing up of God’s people with pride is one of Satan’s favorite tactics. One reason the enemy uses this trick so often is because it is so successful.” (10,000 Sermon Illustrations; Galaxie Software)

The splendor enjoyed by the soldier of Christ and the position in which he finds himself during service to the God of the universe can become what Satan so skillfully uses to bring the successful down. Pastor Carter Conlon said, “I fear success more than failure.”

Transitional Sentence: Christians who enjoy their authority in Christ beware of the one who is the master of using pride to bring the Lord’s servants down and keep mankind from the Lord. They also know that Satan continues to have power to accomplish only what God allows. In the New Testament Satan is called the God of this age. 2 Corinthians 4:1- 4 says, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

The Apostle Paul had a realistic look at the ministering of God’s Word in this realm where Satanstill has limited authority. Christians who rest in their authority in Christ do not lose heart in their work with the Lord because they know that Satan is a real adversary. Christians who enjoy their authority in Christ set their focus on doing away with shameful ways. They do not use deception to get what they want and there is no need to distort the Word of God. Many obedient children of God know what it feels like to share God’s truth with loved ones, friends, co-workers and family members and watch veiled hearts fail to grasp the truths of God.