Resist the Devil by Mario Digangi - Part 5 — Mariano Di Gangi

The Enemy's Tactics Against the Church

Compromise it so that we lose credibility. He tries to detract us from the goals that Christ would set before his church. And the enemy seeks to hinder our service to others by turning us inward on ourselves and becoming egotistical.

Supernatural Power in the Lord

What this supernatural kingdom of darkness against which we fight is matched by the supernatural power that comes from our risen living Lord. We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. So if there's a supernatural kingdom of darkness, there is also a supernatural power that comes from the Lord of righteousness and light.

Strength Through Christ Rather Than Self

And we are to draw on his strength for this struggle. Jesus put it very plainly, deflating our ego. Without me, that's why Paul resolved in Philippians to say, I can do all things through Christ who makes me strong.

Did we in our own strength confide all striving would be losing? Martin Luther knew that. We're not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing. So we are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

Standing Firm With the Shield of Faith

And instead of panicking in the evil hour, instead of surrendering, instead of stupidly trying to negotiate with the enemy, we are to take our stand, refuse to budge. That is the way of the shield of faith.

What God has said, we will not deny. What God has said, we will not doubt. What God has said, we will resolutely do. That is the way of resistance above all. Realizing our weakness, realizing our lack of self control and alertness, realizing our foolishness and thinking that we can negotiate favorable terms with the enemy, we are to pray, to pray for ourselves, to pray for others who are also involved in the same spiritual struggle, to be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

These are the ways in which we can recognize the enemy, resist the enemy, and ultimately, much more than I could have said had we had the time. But the race of the human race along St. Clair and a few other places put my patience to the test, but we got here.

We got time for one question. All right, is there a question from this side of the house? I'm going to ask you to put that on the mind. Remember, the angels came for God and Satan, all of his folks. He was a heavenly man.

Satan's Origin and Accusatory Work

But this takes back the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit is not heaven. You know, Satan's shield has control over the actual time of God. He's a godly God. Right. As lightning from heaven. But his purpose is always the same.

Satan's Accusations Against Job and God's People

To slander us in the sight of God and to slander God to us so that we are divided. That's his work. He's telling God, the reason why Job serves you is because you've given him a bumper crop and a fat bank account and a high rate of interest.

Take those things away and see how he's going to curse you to your face. He's misrepresenting Job to God and then he'll turn around and misrepresent God to us. His purpose is to drive a wedge between us and God.

And we must resist that. And we must overcome. So that nothing separates us from the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Absolutely. Remember, we have the Holy Spirit in opposition to the evil one.

The Holy Spirit's Power and Closing Prayer

Ultimately, it's not merely that we have the Holy Spirit, but that the Holy Spirit has us. That's what does it. Well, let's conclude with prayer. Lord, we thank you that in our weakness, your strength is made perfect.

Enable us to be aware of the strategies of the evil one and not to be preoccupied with Satan, but with Jesus Christ. That he might ever remain central in our hearts and minds and that his word may live in us and enable us to stand firm and win.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.