We've Been Duped

WE”VE BEEN DUPED!

Why does it seem like we have given the devil a “get out of jail free card”? The Bible says that “It was to destroy the devil’s work that the Son of God revealed himself.” (1John 3:8) Jesus crushed the devil into submission from the cross. “He (Jesus) cancelled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross. Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. He made a public show of them and leading them off captive, triumphed in the person of Christ.” (Colossians 2:14-15) The devil has been jailed by Jesus. Why are we giving him his freedom and letting him run amuck? How has this happened?

Our enemy the devil, has duped us and lulled us to sleep. He has convinced us that we are too sophisticated and intelligent to believe that he exists. If we do accept that there is a devil, we know little or nothing of his tactics. We know even less about the authority and the power we have as sons and

daughters of God. One of the major reasons for this is the fact that there is almost complete silence in the Church concerning Satan and his demons! When was the last time you heard a homily about demons, fallen angels, evil spirits, etc and how they affect us and how to combat them? I don’t remember ever hearing a homily of this nature. WE HAVE BEEN LULLED TO SLEEP! Ignorance is not bliss in this situation.

We are in a war and when we are unaware of our enemy we are doomed to failure. Our enemies are not the abortionists or the “liberals” or the media or the catholic dissidents or the culture of death or our spouse or our boss. We need to introduce them to Jesus! Our enemies are demons, evil spirits, Satan

himself. The Bible says: “Our battle is not against human forces, but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil

spirits in regions above.” (Ephesians 6:12) These enemies do not leave us easily. We must resist them, command them to go in the name of Jesus. “Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Some years ago, I had an ongoing problem with lust and sexual sin. I found myself unable to get free from this problem. I would sin, go to confession and resolve with all my strength to never commit that sin again. But eventually I would fall again. I couldn’t seem to overcome this problem. Prayer, frequent Communion, and confession helped, but lasting victory was not achieved. Finally I attended a Life in the Spirit Seminar and was “baptized in the Holy Spirit.” I was taught about evil spirits and how they oppress us and how to resist them in the name of Jesus. I commanded that spirit of lust to depart from me in the name of Jesus. Finally I was free! I have been free from that sin for 25 years now. PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS!

We ignore evil spirits are our own peril. Many of the problems we wrestle with are influenced by demons. They will not leave us until we command them to go

in the name of Jesus. Jesus commands us to use this power and authority in His name. “Then He told them, go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation. Signs like this will accompany those who have professed their faith; they will use my name to expel demons.” (Mark 16:15, 17)

Lord Jesus restore to us wisdom and knowledge concerning demons. Equip us again with the power of the Holy Spirit to resist every demon from hell that

oppress us. Raise up leaders that will lead us and teach us in this area. Amen.

***** Jesus is Lord! *****