There is a War Going On, The Enemy Is Real.

 The enemy is real. 

There is a war going on. Right now, wherever you may be, whatever you are doing, there is a war going on. You are on one side or the other. You have a choice on which side you are on, but you do not have a choice to be in the war or not. There IS a war going on.

Just like any war, the only way you can win is to know the enemy. The enemy is real. He exists. He is really there. He is really actively seeking to destroy all those that leave him and join with the opposing side. Remember this from last time.

"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Revelation 12:7-9

Then we read this in Isaiah 14:12-15

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most-High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit."

Then God created mankind and gave us dominion over everything God created. This did not sit well with Lucifer, now known as Satan so he came to Adam and tempted him with the same temptation that he fell to.

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths." Genesis 3:1-7

God created all things. He gave Adam domination over all things. Adam fell for the same sin the devil did. The desire to be God. He in turn gave his God-given authority over to the devil and he has been in charge of this world ever since.

Look at this passage.

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil," Hebrews 2:14

Just simply being born after Adam, causes us to be subject to death, which is powered by? Read that last part again. "the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,"

So he is real, he does have the power of death. Meaning he can end human life on earth. However, he is NOT what you may think. One, YES. He is real. YES. He is powerful. look at this warning.

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9

However, he is not a red wrinkly-faced, horned head, tail waging, pitchfork yielding, a demon from hell. The Bible calls him an "angel of light." {2 Corinthians 11:14} and the "prince of the power of the air" {Ephesians 2:2} and the "Day Star, son of Dawn" {Isaiah 14:12} Truth is if the devil himself was to open those doors and walk down the aisle, many people would fall to his feet thinking he was Jesus Himself. Or they would think he was some sort of Angel, which is true. He IS an Angel. He is the first Angel. The fairest of all the Angels.

Here is another very important part to remember also. He is not a god. He does control the physical realm. He does have the power of sickness and disease. He does have the power of death. He can and most definitely does tempt you. Whisper in your ear. But he can not make you do anything.

Look at this story. There were a set of days when "The sons of God," remember this is before Jesus came giving us the opportunity to become sons and daughters of God ourselves, had to present themselves before God. In other words, give an account to God, about what they have been doing. Here comes Satan himself. Walking in to present himself before God. Job 2:2

"And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”"

Again, he is not in hell. He is not in heaven. He is in the World. He is ON the Earth. He is not locked up yet. Do not buy into Religious teachings or Hollywood that want to tell you any different.

"And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without reason."

Now God knows he was messing with Job. God understands that Satan hates anyone that loves God. Does He say to Satan, "Stop messing with him? He believes in Me and he is Mine?" Nope. He lets Satan answer the question. Satan says this.

"Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head."

Satan said, "Put forth your hand now and touch his bone and flesh." You see, Satan told God to do it. Why? Because Satan can do nothing without God's permission to those who love God. God said, "Behold, he is in your hand." The only thing God told Satan he could not do, was to take his life. He did not give Satan authority over Job. He said Look, he is already in your hand.

That is a powerful truth. What does that mean? Job, like us, was in the world. He was, as we are, flesh. While in the flesh, in the world, we are in Satan's hand. We are subject to the things in the world and of the flesh. That is why the fruit of the Flesh, or the works of the flesh, and mankind's heart, is evil.

Satan goes out and tempts Job. He inflicts his body with sickness and disease, turns his family and friends against him, and does many other things to Job. But Job endures it all, never losing faith, and is greatly rewarded for doing such.

Look at Peter. One of the Disciples Jesus loved the most. The same Peter was the only other man in recorded history to walk on water. This is the same Peter that Jesus said in Matthew 16:18

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

This is the same Peter who said to Jesus that he would die for him. He would go to hell with him. The same Peter who cut off the right ear of Malchus, the High Priest's servant, when they came to take Jesus in the Garden to crucify Him. Jesus said THIS to Peter in Luke 22:31-32

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Imagine that. One of the most faithful people ever to walk the earth. One side by side with Jesus always. To that same Peter, Jesus said, "Satan wants you." Peter may have been thinking something like Jesus was going to say, I told him no. Don't worry Pete, I got ya back. But he didn't say that. What did he say? I pray that you are strong enough to withstand whatever it is he throws at you. He said, yup. Actually, He most likely said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand."

You see, even Jesus himself, while with us, in the flesh, was tempted by Satan. In Matthew 4, start at verse 1

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”"

Notice the first temptation was that of what most people see as a necessity. Food. Jesus was fasting. You could say He was seeking first the Kingdom of God. Doing God's work. Remember, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added onto you?" So Jesus was hungry, and Satan, knowing he could, tempted Him to break his fast. To turn rocks into food and eat. But Jesus responded.

"But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”"

Then the devil tempted Him using His faith.

"Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple  and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”"

Now as it is written in Romans 8, remember? Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not the Spirit. That nothing ever formed can do our Spirit any harm. Also, know this. Satan knows the Word. He was there when it was written. He can quote the Bible chapter and verse. He knows God and has, and continues to, see Him face to face. Does that make him good? Just a side note to my 'holier than thou" friends out there. But Jesus said this.

"Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."

Then the devil tempted Jesus with his own temptation. The same that he tempted Adam with. To be God.

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God

and He only shall you serve.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him."

Now this one is important to understand. Again, Satan IS the lord of the earth. He told Jesus, I will give you all this, all you have to do is worship me. The promise of riches. A temptation even back then. But he would not be able to tempt Jesus with this if he was not able to deliver. You see Satan can tempt Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world because they belong to him.

Notice a couple of things here. First, who is it that Satan tempts? Is it those who do not know God? Nope. It is the faithful. He doesn't waste his time tempting those that already belong to him. he doesn't have to. Remember what Jesus said to the holier than thou crowd back in the day? Remember what he said to the "religious folks?" The Priests and Scribes. In John 8 he said this.

"Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

Then in Acts 4, Peter told the High Priest and Rulers, the religious folks, this, talking about Jesus.

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”"

Remember, hell was never intended for man. We get there by choice. By not accepting the gift that God gave the world through Jesus. In Matthew 25, Jesus said this.

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

All you have to do to join Satan and his angels as they go to hell and the lake of fire is simply not accept the gift. That's it. You can be as religious as you want to be. You can do whatever you chose to do. But if you do not have the key, you can't go through the door. 

Therefore, Satan has no need to tempt you with anything. There is a war going on. The enemy is real. He is on his way to hell. Are you? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!