The Evil One Pt4

Evil one or the devil or Satan. I I prefer saying calling the evil one because That's who he is. He's the evil one. But and brother Keith this morning preacher through John is going to talk about the devil too, so.

I.

Said excuse me. Oh, I Thought you said excuse me. So we're gonna double dose and it's interesting because I don't think too often that. And rightfully so which we really don't give too much attention other than the teaching that we get from the scriptures because there are a lot of people who over overemphasize The work of the devil and we've been talking about that even to the point where some people almost pit as if God's.

Adversary.

Although he's our adversary. God has no adversaries and and so many people almost raise the evil one the devil Satan the accuser the roaring lion the prince of the power of the air the prince of this world and the destroyer all the different names that we have looked at in the scriptures to almost at a point where he's co-equal or if he wins then the world will turn evil and that's that's so far from the truth, right.

Because God alone rules and. And we've been thinking about this. So we thought about the person this morning. I want to kind of focus a little bit more on.

Demons.

Because if you remember we when we looked in Ephesians 6 And we talked about how we are to handle the wiles of the devil or the devices of the devil We looked at it where it said that there are principalities and there are powers and there are thrones and there are there are Unseen things and I said to you that even in that Demonic world there is a hierarchy or at least there seems to be a hierarchy of Underneath the control of The evil one and that you and I really should be aware of it.

We remember we considered that The devil doesn't have freedom He can only go as free as he's allowed to go. Good morning, brother. And that as we think about it there are times and there are activities that take place in different parts of the the world and it almost seems as if some places Seem darker if you will towards the things of God than in other places and and can it be that that's because there is more Evil activity taking place in certain places at certain times for certain reasons and that You and I need to be aware that this invisible world Although it is invisible say my God is invisible in that sense, right that it's taking place in that you and I have to think about it in a way to be able to recognize it and.

To.

Be able to Stand and that's what it says in Ephesians 6 stand against the wiles of the devil. So I wanted to do that and then look specifically about the demons and what's really interesting. You know, I know we did talk about this, but I just want to mention it again if you think about it.

Where is where in the scriptures do you think you find the most? Activity of the unseen darkness of this world, where would that be? Yeah, because it's in the Gospels and and if you think about it, I know we addressed this but from the very beginning in Genesis remember when the serpent beguiled the woman and Adam fell and rebelled against God in it and God came right then and said that The seat of the woman would crush the head of the serpent, right?

And so if you think about it as history unfolded as it moved through time and space There was an anticipation beginning to build right? The anticipation was that this this Seat of the woman Who ultimately is none other than the Lord Jesus, right that he would finally Appear and If you will fulfill that prophecy that started all the way back in in the garden in Genesis 3.

And that as you move through the scriptures because if you think about it, there's very little There's sufficient amount but it's very little activity or even in essence teachings more description of this World that's invisible to us and yet it's evil in the Old Testament.

There are times where we see it, right? That there's a place in Chronicles and Kings where it talks about how God allowed a lying spirit to go and speak a lie or the the false prophets were if you will.

Empowered.

By the evil one and just as we looked in Job chapter 1 in chapter 2. So when you get to the Gospels, that's where we see if you will the the final Revealing of that one of the Lord Jesus Christ and so therefore I think that that's why we see so much activity in the Gospels.

And If you begin to think about it as you move through the Gospels and you move into the early history of the church It begins to what it begins to fade. There is very little although in the book of Acts There is some activity and we'll look at one a little bit later, but there's very little activity.

In the.

Epistles there's more teaching in the epistles, right? There's more awareness. And so again when people will say things like well Don't you believe that that there's still demonic activity? Of course I do right?

Because anyone who's not in Christ is as brother Keats going to bring up this morning Their father is the devil, right? And so Even as I said in second Timothy and we looked at it with that We should pray to God would grant people Repentance to the acknowledgement of truth that they may recover themselves from what the snare of the devil so so let's just Look through some of the scriptures and see where it's gonna go Where we can go.

So let's go here first because I think this one Kind of leads into what we've been talking about. What kind of summarizes what we just spent a few seconds on in the book of Jude? And again, the teaching is clear and yet there is still some There's some cloudiness to it.

Other than because here's the thing if we didn't have the scriptures, we wouldn't really be able to understand any of it, right? But again, if Although the heavens declared a glory of God and everybody is aware of that How would we really know?

God unless he revealed himself to us, right and that's the whole point of Romans chapter 1. But anyway in in the book of Jude I'll pick it up in verse 5. So so this is how Jude lays it out. And he says I want to remind you though once though you once knew this that the Lord Having saved the people out of the land of Egypt Afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Now look verse 6 and the angels who did not keep their proper dominion Will proper domain but left their own habitation. He has reserved In everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.

So, what is that telling us that there was a certain amount if you will of Angels that followed in the fall of the evil one and That I believe that that's the ones that are under his control. Although it's a delegated control, right?

It's not it's not a rule in a total sense because the only one who really rules Is God so thinking about that and thinking about how? As we'll see rather quickly This is demonstrated in the gospel. But before we do that, I just want you because I didn't get to this one when we were talking about how to handle let's just go back to the book of James for a second James chapter 4 and Wanted to just.

Again.

Have us see how we ought to defend against. I mean if you think about it defending against an Invisible foe is not the easiest thing to accomplish, right? And I've always said to myself don't let the devil whisper in your ear and More often than not and you know what? I think is really interesting.

Have you ever been in prayer? And as you're praying All of a sudden the most obscure Irrelevant Ungodly thought just seems to. Now you just might think it's just me and so I'm looking for some.

Some.

For you to credit But but for some reason all of a sudden some wild weird thought enters into your mind and you have to almost stop and Chase it away, right? And and I believe that the devil one of the times that the devil is Or hit the demonic activity is most prevalent is when we're in prayer because again if you Think about that great temptation of Jesus that's given to us in the Gospels it was when he was at his extremity of Humanity if you will right he had not eaten or drink Had any drink for 40 days that that's when the devil came and I think in in prayer We're sometimes at that point.

We're seeking to have if you will.

A.

Intimate Fellowship of God and that's not what the evil one wants. Now you might you might again say you've never had that experience and if you haven't God bless you but but I have in and again, it's I have to actually stop and Try to say to myself Can this be of the Spirit of God?

Can what I'm thinking at this moment, I was just in prayer seeking God's face if you will and All of a sudden whatever pops into your mind Cannot be the face and the work of the Spirit of God or are we able to discern?

That that is the work of the evil one or one of his emissaries or one of his delegates whatever way we want to work, so We're in the book of James, I think we're in the book of James. And I wanted to to ask us to look at verse 7 so look what.

Well. Back up to verse 6. James 4 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore he says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble therefore submit to God.

We.

Resist the devil and he will flee. From you draw near to God and he will draw near to you. So think about it. There is an active resistance on our part there. You know, I know we've talked about this when you're in battle.

There's no time for timeouts. And and I think we need to realize that. And I think I know I said this that the devil is like a searching wind Looking for a crack in your witness. That was a song that I Heard a long time ago in a statement.

The devil is like a searching wind. That's what Peter says, right? He's like a roaring lion Seeking whom he may devour. So again, there is an activity. That's our Responsibility and We have the tools to do it.

Which again was laid out in Ephesians 6 right the whole armor of God and yet for all that many times we're tricked. We fooled we deceived same in same in similar fashion as Eve was deceived, right? What was that has God said doubt?

A.

Desire to be Like God, right. And so just things to think about. Okay. Well, it's interesting that you bring that up because I'm gonna have the Bible study on Wednesday night for the month of June. One of the things that I want to impress on us is that in order to put on What's right?

We have to put off what's wrong? In other words, you know, it's really of no lasting value if all we I don't want to jump tracks too far, but if all we ever do is Stop doing things. Well, guess what at some point?

That's gonna come back and get us. But we need to not only stop doing certain things. We need to do other things and that's What I think you're bringing so as we submit to God we will be better able to resist the devil.

Right and so in that sense.

If.

Our minds remember what Isaiah says you will keep them in perfect. Peace. Whose mind is stayed on you? And so yeah, I think Those two kind of at times almost Interchangeable as far as put off put on and that unless we do both We're gonna fall and I'm gonna have some stuff I want to show on on Wednesday night when I when I go through it to help us understand it but yeah, I do think it's a it's a.

It's a move this away. It's got to be a double move. Can't just be a single move. So Well, let me just let me adjust one one scripture go to Matthew chapter 12 because I think it's important enough to Look at it Matthew chapter 12 and I'll take it.

We're gonna wind up in Matthew soon anyway, so Matthew chapter 12 and verse 43. No, just read what it says and then maybe we can Discuss it from Matthew chapter 12 and verse 23 of 43. It says when an unclean spirit Would hope we would say an unclean spirit is some sort of evil activity, right?

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man he goes through dry places Seeking rest and finds none that's speaking of the unclean spirit, right? Then he says I will return to my house from which I came which is when the unclean spirit left the man.

He went to Somewhere else then he says I will return to my house from which I came now. Look what it says when he comes he finds it empty swept and put in order. What does that mean? I think that means there's been a reformation there's been some sort of effort to put off to resist to Chase out if you will.

But the problem is there's nothing there it's empty and it's swept and it's placed in order. Then it says this then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself. And they enter and dwell there and the last state of the man is worse than the first.

So it shall also be with this wicked generation. Is that teaching us what I'm just trying to say that if all it is is a chasing away. And there's no if we leave a vacuum.

Right.

Just like the room is empty and clean if we leave a vacuum and don't put anything in its place. Well, then it could very well be that and as it's what I believe it's saying here that unclean spirit.

Come right back.

Right. And you see that how many people? Rid themselves of certain vice let's say a certain issue in their life a certain trial a certain tribulation was just let's say somebody who's used a lot of drugs and They no longer use drugs they've been able to if you will as People will say kick the habit or get rid of it or whatever else.

But then you find after a while because nothing comes in to fill that void right. Which would be as we would see it Christ and Trusting in him and relying on him and having the Spirit of God in him that many times somebody will go from one capture to another capture.

Again the important part is and I'm not sure if this is what you're saying, but I'm saying it in that way that in order to Resist we got to have something filling that void right. And my sister, right?

She went to a which is another thing right that they believe in higher power and all that kind of stuff. You know it seems good on the outside. But actually is it is it any good in a way. She transformed her life.

Her life got transformed now. She's into shamanism right. So yeah now all in you know like you say she cleaned out you know the drugs alcohol and here she comes now, you know bombarded with Satan because It's absolutely she's turned.

She's even doing a TED talk on how her life transformed through this and it's just ridiculous, man.

That's what comes seven times worse. Yeah, and yeah, and what people. Opinion. Okay, I agree that Treatments are good like a or drug treatment rehabilitation or Certain kinds of things are good. The problem with it is many times their focus is on removing something.

The focus has to be on filling it with something because again if you leave the vacuum as I believe what it's saying here at some point Maybe not the same thing will come back. But the end might be louder than the beginning right.

And the thing any about my sister. It's all love. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so it's deceptive. She's it's deceptive. Yeah. Yeah, and that's see people have this idea that the evil one only uses evil devices.

Well.

It could appear remember what it says in 2nd Corinthians. And we've read that it said that the devil himself can appear as what an angel of light. Right, what did he use against? What did he use in his temptation to Jesus?

He used the Word of God my goodness right. And so.

Again.

Especially in our day we have the Spirit of God who abides in us when we become his and. If it weren't for the fact that greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. We would at some point.

I believe and and people clean up their life for their whole life. But again, it's still empty. There's nothing in there right. Nothing of any great value.

Brother George you have any thoughts on that. I think that the Concept is has a lot of similarities to what we call the order. Saluters. We try to figure out what comes first justification or this or that.

I think it's sometimes so simultaneous. Yeah, that's like you said it's a going back and forth. So yeah, we say well. This is how we logically understand it. Sure real time. There's really no way of knowing.

No.

Which is which and when?

Right and you know what it said even in when we read it in Matthew 4 or I'm not sure if it was in the Matthew Account or Luke account where it says after the devil left him. It says he left a he left Jesus for a season.

And so even in that there was this if you will this continual activity. The Lord Jesus Christ had the spirit without measure. And he is the divine Son of God. So in that way, so I wanted to show you and maybe we could start.

It'll lead into helping us.

That.

Demonic Evil activity is aware of righteousness. Okay, so let's let's go to Matthew chapter. Yeah.

People.

They.

In their selves. They're resisting the devil, but there's been no humbling for God because the self the salvation. That must take place first, you know instead of going to the AA and you change all these things about yourself.

But where is the humbling yourself before God? We have a young lady who was in the assemblies assemblies that and This is how dull the mind is to understand the scriptures. We were praying for the pastor's wife and this other young lady.

She's oh, this is spiritual warfare. She literally started. Yeah, I guess I'm tickled. I fell to the floor and did. She didn't speak to me for a couple of years but She didn't understand the scripture, but that's what spiritual warfare means.

Yeah. It's the humbling yourself before God. Part of it still is. Are you understanding what the scripture is saying?

Yeah, you know and I think you brought that up because sometimes it's not always as Clearly perceptible, right? Like in other words, I believe regeneration comes Before faith, right. But do I can I split the atom and Understanding that I do believe God has to impart life Right, just like he does in conception that God is the giver of life.

But at the same time sometimes it goes It's not as easily discerned but yeah, but that's part of the humbling before God is part of that regenerative Regeneration process, right?

So what he's saying is true, I think it's just the context and this. Yes. We're this is where we're trying to figure out because you would say well shouldn't this happen first and that well. So in the context in which the scripture that the verse is saying it's talking to believers.

Yeah, so Salvation is already supposedly happened. Yes. So in this context I was saying resist you've already humbled yourself. That's that's the presupposition. You've already humbled you right now. Resist.

So in a case of the unbeliever, it's gonna be a different order. Yes, because and also the context of which of what's happening there. So sometimes. This is why I compare it to the order of salutis because the process for each person is different, right?

So some people you can tell what this seems like if this happened first, but for that person to see like that happens. Well, correct. We're only trying to make logical sense out of it. We don't actually know.

How and in what order precisely things happen?

Again, some people are saved like Saul turning into Paul. Right struck down and in in some ways. I that's the way I came to Christ it was it was almost. One day one person and another day another person.

Well, don't worry. I Got more issues. I think I got more issues now my life than I did back then but for other people like Lydia. What does the scripture say? It says the Lord just opened her heart and she just received Paul's words.

So again some by the fire some by the flood. Some through great trial but all through the blood right, and so. When you think about it that way, I agree with you brother. And I think we need to be careful not to try to put everything, you know, and I understand.

That God has to impart life. But I'm not going to be. We can't walk around and say oh, yeah, I know exactly how your conversion went. I know exactly how your conversion went again. Sometimes it's a gentle breeze.

Sometimes it's a hurricane right just like God remember when when the prophet went and and asked God to show him his glory and God wasn't in the whirlwind and God wasn't in the tempest. But God was in the still small voice.

But at the same time I still think that we should be able to make it discernment. Based on what the fruit of the Spirit is right love joy peace long-suffering gentleness meekness and kindness and those things and that.

The issue with us is we we not only have not learned to submit. But having not learned how to submit. It's very difficult to resist. We become easy prey if you will just like What's better for a wolf a herd of sheep or one sheep separated from the rest of the flock?

Yeah, he's danger. He's in greater danger, right? And and isn't that why many animals and if you think about even in the roaring lion imagery many Animals will pack together to be able to resist the. If you will the attack of the lion, right but you get that straggler out there and isn't that what they try to do?

They try to separate one from the rest of them. Yeah, it's the weaker ones or the ones that haven't learned if you will how to avoid the lions. Yeah, sure they do yeah and. And again and we're gonna see it it's interesting you say that because we're gonna see that there are even examples in the scriptures where it's not just.

It's not like a one-on-one Correspondence if you will that there are and I'll show you as we move through this that there are times when there's many and certainly as we look at the the Gadarene maniac.

Remember remember when Jesus said to him, what is your name? And he said my name is Legion because we are many. So again, and that's why I said in the beginning. I think there is times when there's more activity or a more Vivid activity than in other places and certainly in the Gospels is where we find The greatest activity because that was the fullness of time.

That was what thousands of years had been Establishing would take place. So anyway Matthew chapter 4 in verse 23 and here's what I wanted to do. I Wanted to show us some scriptures that help us understand.

Because some people have a tendency of thinking well if you've got this if you have this sickness. It's got to be of the devil.

And.

If you have this disease It's because of the devil. Well look at Matthew chapter 4 in verse 23 now Jesus went about Galilee teaching in his synagogues preaching the gospel of the kingdom healing all kinds of sickness and All kinds of disease among the people and then his fame went throughout all Syria and they brought to him All sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and Torments and those who were demon-possessed epileptics Paralytics and he healed them now If you read through the Gospels, but there are instances where we read about like the man whose son was an epilect epileptic come on He was what yeah, yeah, it was one of those it was an epileptic.

Okay, and remember what it said that when Jesus came up to him and it said well He often throws them in the fire and he cast them down and all that. And so some people will think that every time You have a disease Certainly in the faith healing train of thought it's always because of either sin or evil activity, but I as I read this, there's a distinction to be made between six people and Demon-possessed people because really if as I understand what God says who made who made this the dumb.

Somebody can't speak who made the blind who made the deaf. I the Lord have done it. And so there is a realization that not all sickness is.

Is.

Related directly to the activity of evil beings.

And.

That you and I need to be aware of that because again some people will try to promote that. You got what you deserve because you have a demon. And let me just show you again in Matthew while you're there in Matthew chapter 8.

Okay. Now you remember when Jesus had gone with Peter because his His mother-in-law was sick. And so we read in Matthew chapter 8 verse 14 when Jesus came into Peter's house He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever.

He touched her hand and the fever left her and she arose and Served him and when the evening had come they brought him many who were Demon-possessed and he cast out spirits with a word and he healed All those who was sick.

Then it might be fulfilled Again, which was spoken by Isaiah. He himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses and I don't really want to deal with that right. The second because that will take Way too much time.

Because there are certain people that believe Again, you should never get sick, right? Because Isaiah said that he took all our diseases out of the way. And so we won't have time to do that now, but these Do you are you able to see that there is at times at least a distinction to be made?

Between those that are sick and Those that are demon-possessed. And then I read demon possession is a result of sickness. I will say this though. Every sickness ultimately is a result of sin. Would you agree?

Every sickness ultimately is a result of sin and the judgment that came upon men because the sin.

Sir.

This is correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that wouldn't our sin. Also impact the weather.

I mean, that's what I think. Sure. Absolutely.

I don't think our sin impacts the weather. It's like if we turn our turn away from God He's gonna. You know, you'll lose. You'll have drought Your crops won't grow. Your pestilence.

And that was one of the if you will one of the things in the Old Testament Particularly that God used who used the what the sword Pestilence and famine when there was great judgments being pronounced.

But but since you brought that up in I'm cool with Looking at it go to Romans chapter 8. Because I think it addresses exactly what you just said Josh how the creation has been. Well, we could only go back to the garden because what did God say when Adam sent he said now You'll have thorns and thistles so now the labor of your Your labor will be what sweat.

And he even said to the woman In conception you will have sorrow. So Everything was whacked out. If you will the whole world order was thrown into cash. But in Romans chapter 8 look what Paul says in verse 18.

He says. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory Which shall be revealed in us for the earnest expectation of the creation. Eagerly awaits for the revealing of the sons of God for the creation was subjected to futility.

Futility. Not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope because the creation itself Also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption Into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know the whole creation groans and labors with burnt pangs Until now and not only day but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit we groan Within ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption the redemption of the body so is that not saying that the whole creation has been if you will turn upside down and.

Yet who controls the you go reading Psalms? Psalm 148 where it says God sends the rain.

Well.

We we're not gonna finish the Everything so go. Let's see if we can find it. Psalm 148. I believe that's.

If I'm not.

If that's not it, it's close because I just want to show you how Everything has been. If you will turn the inside out and upside down but at the same time God rules, right? And so get this on 148, I hope that's it.

Yeah, and this one. Yeah, okay. There it is. Yeah, so. Well, I'll just read it right because again, we don't have that much time left. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise him in the heights.

Praise him all his angels. Praise him all his hosts. Praise him Sun and Moon. Praise him all you stars of light. Praise him you heavens of heavens and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord for he commanded and they were created.

He established them forever and ever. He has made a decree Which should not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth you great sea creatures and all the depths and look what it says verse 8 fire and hail and snow and clouds and stormy wind.

Fulfilling his word. So yeah again. Has things been thrown out of order? Sure I don't believe that when Adam was in the garden that he ever had worry about a hurricane or a tornado or a flood. Or tsunami or any of those things?

It's only after Sin ended and the whole world order was changed and that's what we. Because now jump to the to the thoughts of what takes place next. Well, guess what? Do you expect that? You're gonna have to go into the into the tornado cellar in heaven.

No, there's not gonna be no tornadoes. There's not gonna be sickness. There's not going to be diseased. There's not going to be Us. We won't need a tsunami horn to let us know that the tsunamis it's not gonna be there.

Why?

Because God's gonna restore everything not only restore, but I believe he's gonna make it even better.

Than.

It was now sister.

My grandma. She had a heart issue. She's she's passed now. She actually died on the operating table for like two minutes and she believed that she went to heaven. Went because she said where she was it was right.

Everything was beautiful. She saw all of her family members that had passed and they all looked the best that they ever looked. Yeah, she felt welcome and warm and she said she was sad when they brought her back.

Yeah, I Will say this if I ever go to heaven I ain't coming back. I'm not gonna go to a place of absolute Beauty and paradise and all that and then say no, I want to go back to that dirty nasty earth.

I'm not doing that so but again, I guess the whole point saying what I just said is that everything If you will was.

Flipped and.

Ultimately one day everything will be flipped back because remember we shall see him as He is and we'll see we'll behold his majesty. It'll be listen. I said this is set free when I was there last week before person takes their last breath and Hits the floor.

They're gonna explode into eternity. There's not gonna be this. This is my my gospel thing for a second. There's not gonna be this one exactly what I told. There's not gonna be you walking up to Pete is sitting at the at the heavenly gates and You saying well, you know, I got this much junk, but I got this much good.

Do you think I can get in and Pete is gonna say? Well, yeah, it looks like the bag of big of good things is bigger than the bag of bad things. And so yeah, man, we're gonna explode into eternity. We're gonna see God.

We're not gonna see some some Too big infinite creator. We're gonna see the Creator of all things. And that's why I say it's an explosion. It's it's not Something that I don't think we can anticipate it.

Yeah. That's why I said if I go there I ain't come back.

Yeah, I.

Think that and I I guess I have to say it this way then. The scriptures really say it's a point of her person Wants to die and after that is to judgment at the same time. People have lots of experiences about lots of things and again, unfortunately Some of that could be fabricated I think.

They're very good when I start thinking but I think some of this uxfo activity is nothing more than the evil one who can manipulate Who can Appear as an angel of light. I'm not I'm not getting into that, but I'm just saying I think some of that is contrived by the evil one to cause men to think that We came from aliens or we are not God's crown creation because guess what?

As far as we know We are made in the image of God, right? And so I don't need to look to some big salamander with four eyes to be worried that he's Made in a greater image than I am. I'm in the image of God and God's been pleased to reveal that to us.