Greetings from the "White House",

This series on the influence of Satan on the life of a Believer is an out growth of the series on "The Love God". The greatest benefit from this series is to study it in the context it was given.. Thanks for studying the Word of God with us!

Who God is will determine what God does.

What God does will reveal a great deal about Who God is. 

We are examining the Biblical subject of the Love of God. This segment is dealing with hindrances to the appropriation and manifestation of God's Love to and through the Believer's life. In particular, we are looking at what part Satan and/or his hordes play in this hindering process of Believers' appropriating and manifesting God's Love.

We can't take a great deal of time to review, because the presentation of the basic facts of this subject are detailed and have been clouded in the "fog" of personal opinion. Because the different "sides" in this personal opinion war-of-words have been so vocal and emotional, the "fog of personal opinion" will need to be lifted or at least parted, along with the Biblical facts presented. Our "home base" for the exploration of this subject is.....

Ephesians 4:20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

This is certainly NOT the only reference to this vastly important subject in the Scriptures, as we will see in our study. This passage is clearly addressed to Believers, and gives us instructions concerning things we should remove from our lives and things we should add to our lives in order to have a proper Christian life.

In the middle of these instructions, the Holy Spirit through Paul makes a statement that, in English, seems to be out of place or out of character with the flow of the passage. That phrase is; "nor give place to the devil".

We need to see the structure of this phrase, the meaning of this phrase and significance of its context. Most of that will have to wait until the next lessons. We also need to parallel that truth throughout the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament.

Let me give you a few facts from the last lesson. By having these facts in mind, it will save a lot of teaching time. We saw from Ephesians 4 that....:

1. We are to "Learn Christ" -- in this case it is not learning about Christ, but "Learning Christ" and being "Taught by Christ". I refer you to the last lesson for the clarification and teaching of those phrases.
2. We are to "put off" the "old man" and the conduct associated with it.
3. We are to be in a "continual state of renewal" of the spirit of the our minds.
4. We must realize the "old man" continues to grow in corruptness, EVEN while we are living by the "new man".
5. We are to "put on" the "new man" and the conduct associated with it.

We compared several Scriptures dealing with this subject of putting on of the new man and what constitutes the conduct associated with it. In the Col 3 passage alone, we saw at least 7 things that are part of this new man's conduct, and Believers are to put them on. In Col 3:12-15 these 7 aspects of our new conduct are listed. All of the items on this list have to do with our behavior towards other Believers.

The Believer is to "put on"...:

1. Tender mercy
2. Kindness
3. Humbleness of mind
4. Meekness
5. Longsuffering
6. Forbearance
7. Forgiveness

Please keep these facts in ready reference, at least for the next two lessons. It would be good to keep them in reference for the rest of your life!

When the Christian community hears the term or the subject of the workings of Satan, we sadly have been "geared" or trained to think of some uneducated tribe living back in the "bush", or our minds go to the Gospels and the accounts of demon-possessed people who confronted Christ and the disciples.

Both of those areas of Satan's workings are real and active. However, when we think of the workings of Satan, we very seldom think of Believers in the church. Oh, yes! We throw around that little phrase..., "The devil made me do it". However, we very seldom allow ourselves to think seriously about the fact that some Believers in our church might be doing the works of Satan..., OR that it might be possible for ME or YOU to be doing the works of Satan.

That's too bad!! There is a great volume of information in the New Testament that deals with this subject of the Believer being influenced, controlled and/or used by Satan. Please understand that, in this lesson, when I use the term "Satan" it will have reference to Satan and/or his kingdom. The subject of Satan's kingdom may involve Satan, himself, and/or any one or a number of his demons.

This mind-set, that satanic activity is relegated to the unsaved and especially the heathen has come about primarily from the teaching of and controversy over...; "Can a Believer be demon-possessed?" Believe you me, there is far more "heat" in this controversy, than there is "light" concerning the Biblical facts.

Those who hold that a Believer CANNOT be demon-possessed most generally base it on the theory that the Holy Spirit, received by every Believer at salvation, and a demon cannot dwell within the same body at the same time.

If that is true, then a Believer can never be possessed by a demon, because the Believer has the Holy Spirit within for at least all of this earthly life, plus. However, the Bible nowhere delineates that theory as a Biblical fact. The Bible DOES NOT state that a Believer CANNOT be possessed by a demon. NOR does the Bible state that a Believer CAN be possessed by a demon.

Because the Bible does not give definitive instructions in this matter of demon-possession of a Believer (or a non-believer), any stance either positive or negative MUST be a personal opinion. When there is a personal opinion, there is a tendency to defend that opinion as personal property, even to the destruction of someone who would try to take away that personal opinion by the presentation of some other theory. The biggest problem comes because we are dealing with a manmade theory, not clear Biblical facts.

Anytime it is "my" theory, I have a tendency to superimpose "my" theory on any reference in the Scripture that deals with the working of Satan and Believers, or any other subject that "I" happen to have a theory about. As a result, we miss, ignore or misuse a great deal of VERY important information concerning our enemy, the Devil. We ALSO miss a great amount of information given by God to equip us to properly deal with the Devil and his kingdom. There seems to be a TOTAL absence of understanding concerning the kingdom of Satan, OR if there is a kingdom.

Can a Believer be possessed by a demon???? I don't know. The Bible does not tell us. If the Bible does not tell us, then I sure don't want to try to tell you.

Please understand what I'm about to say...... Whether a believer can, or cannot be possessed by a demon makes very little difference in understanding the facts of the Word of God concerning our battle with the devil. If it were vitally important to know whether or not a believer can be "possessed", THEN the Bible would have given us clear information concerning it.

The Bible DOES give us a GREAT deal of clear information about how we are to respond, fight, resist and protect ourselves from Satan and his attacks. THOSE are the facts that we need to know.., and use!!!! So let's first dispel some myths concerning the English words used in this subject, the word..... POSSESSED and other parallel words

Possessed = (Webster) Held as a possession; Influenced or controlled by something; Urgently desirous to do or have something.

Possession = (Webster) The act or condition of having in or taking into one's control or holding at one's disposal.

Obsess = (Webster) To occupy an undue or disproportionate place in the mind, such as trouble continuously in mind.

Obsession = (Webster) Siege; The act of a devil or spirit in besetting a person or impelling him to action from without.

Control = (Webster) The act or fact of controlling; Power or authority to guide or manage; Directing or restraining domination.

There are several Greek words that can be translated possessed, possession, etc. Each of these Greek words have a different "shade" of meaning, but they all mean basically = to hold or acquire property or possessions.

There is another Greek word with an entirely different implication = It signifies "to be possessed of a demon, to act under the control of a demon." Those who were thus afflicted expressed the mind and consciousness of the "demon" or "demons" indwelling them.

This Greek word is used mostly in the book of Matt. It is also used 4 times in Mark and 1 time in Luke. There are a few reference in Acts to those who had evil spirits in them, but these references do not use the Greek word for demon-possession.

Then we come to the Epistles, and there is nothing! No accounts of those who are demon-possessed. No instructions concerning demon-possession. No commands to cast out demons. No warning about demon-possession. ETC. There may be a reference or two that, if pushed hard enough.., might have some application to the subject. That is certainly NOT to say there was no demon-possession during the time of the early church.

However, silence on the subject in the epistles DOES tell us that the emphases of what we need to know, learn and practice for the Christian walk has very little to do with demon-possession -- Believers or non-believers. On the other hand, we, as Believers, are instructed in many ways in the epistles how to avoid being controlled by Satan. Which brings us back to our definitions. Look at them once again.

We are just about to launch into our search for Scriptures that give Biblical substance to this subject of Satanic control of the Believer. I hope for the sake of learning Biblical truth and living Spiritual reality, we can forever get-over our hang-ups about the semantics of "possession", "obsession" and "control", etc.

The Bible doesn't tell us if the demon is controlling the Believer's life from within or without. The point is....., IF the Believer is being controlled by a demonic force, then that Believer is not being controlled by the Holy Spirit. Whether that control is from the inside or the outside, the end result is the same. It is this fact that the Believer needs to deal with, not some theory that is never mentioned in the Epistles, one way or another.

2 Corinthians 2:10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Those to whom Paul directed this passage were not ignorant of Satan's devices (v 11). I fear that this same state of mind may not be true with many Believers today.

My original intent was to take only two lesson on this subject of..: "nor give place to the Devil". However, through some events of the past and comments made, I fear that we are VERY ignorant of Satan's devices. Therefore, Satan can and is taking advantage of some. In an effort to head-off Satan's hindering activities in the church and in Believers' lives, or at least to give the information needed to do so, I'm going to give a little more time to the subject than originally planned.

We closed the last lesson with two passages dealing with the "improper" use, or "misuse" of forgiveness.., AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACTION. In those two passages there are bone chilling statements concerning the effect to the life of the one failing to forgive. Before we move on, look again at the words of Christ concerning this matter. The matter of proper or improper forgiveness of Believer-to-Believer is a very important factor in our battle with the Devil or our defeat by the Devil.

Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

When we fail to forgive, we do at least two things:

1. We deny the power and work of Christ on the Cross.
2. We place ourselves above Christ.

Those are BOTH evidences of Satan and his manner of working since before the beginning of time, and were "key" factors in Satan's fall. That is the import of the passage in.....

2 Corinthians 2:10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

By denying forgiveness to others, we are saying, "The power of Christ on the cross was all right, but it can be of little effect UNTIL I give my personal permission for the work of Christ to be accomplished in the other person's life."

By denying forgiveness, we are saying, "I'm big enough to hold-up what Christ has done until I'm ready for it to take place in the other person's life."

To see this matter of Satan's work, power and control in the life of a Believer, let's follow a portion of Peter's life for an example. Watch carefully the progression of Peter in his confrontation with Satan.

Matthew 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

In this passage, please note that Peter is at a "high point" in his life. God has personally revealed truth to him (v 17b), and based on that information, Peter has made one of the greatest pronouncements of all time and eternity. Christ took that statement by Peter and used it to present the "foundation truth" concerning the coming Church.

Just because you are having a great time in the Word of God, and are growing by leaps and bounds Spiritually, does not mean that Satan is not trying to get control of your life and actions. As a matter of fact, when you are on the so called Spiritual "mountain top" is when Satan often unleashes his best weapons against you. It is at that very high point of our Spiritual life that we are often the most open to Satan's attacks.

Any Spiritual "high" has an effect on our emotions and ego. Paul and God both understood this fact, and that was the reason Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh"!

2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I forbear, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

This was about as high as a Spiritual high could get!! Notice the power of Satan in this area, and the provision given or allowed by God to overcome these satanic attacks on Paul's life.

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Yes! Paul and God both understood that at the high points of our Spiritual experience, we are "sitting ducks" for Satan's attacks. Those attacks will often come in the areas of "self-pride", "confidence in ourselves" and "truthlessness".

When any of these or other "ego" associated areas are not under the control of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, Satan has easy access to our lives. The greater the emotion of such Spiritual events, the more we open ourselves to the attacks of Satan. At this point of high emotions, IF we are not equipped from the Word of God taught by the Holy Spirit, our defenses against Satan's attacks are at a very low ebb.

If Paul and God both knew this fact well, it would a very profitable thing for us to recognize it, also. Folks, this is a battle, not a game!!!!! Winning a war depends, to a large extent, on the knowledge we have of the enemy and his plan of attack. We need to stop "playing church", and be aware of this battle at all times, if we intend to "win". If you don't care about Spiritual defeat, then ignore the subject all together. We also need to be fighting this battle with the weapons supplied by God, AND in the manner prescribed by God in His Word.

Just a Word to the Wise!!

1 Corinthians 10:12 

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Note again, Peter's "high-point"....

Matthew 16:15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

That was Peter's "high-point". NOW look at how LOW he went, and the reason he took the fall.

Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

This rebuke to Peter by Christ was not a playful...; "Oh, you little demon, you." This was the same expression used by Christ and directed to Satan, himself, when Christ was tempted after the 40 day in the wilderness.

Luke 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "

Here Peter, who just about 3(+/-) verses ago in this passage of Matthew 16:15-23, was on top of the Spiritual heap. Now he is lower than low!!!! We, who think we are standing, NEED to take heed lest we fall in the same or worse way than Peter!

Christ gives Peter the worst stinging rebuke given to any human, bar none. Christ also tells Peter WHY he went from the top of the mountain.... to the bottom of the pit.

Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Remember what Christ said about Peter's great confession?!? Christ said that this great confession did not come from the source of flesh and blood, but from God, personally. Now notice the contrast in v 23 of this same chapter.

The reason for Peter's fall is similar to the reason of Satan's fall clear back before the creation of mankind. Peter was not mindful of the things of God. Instead, his mind and interest had turned to the things of men. He had become self-centered. A person cannot be God-centered WHILE in a state of being self-centered.

Mindful = (Greek) More than just a thought process, but with great emotional attachment. The Greek structure here indicates that this was going on at the very time Christ was speaking.

Once our intellect and emotions leave the realm of the things of God, and are directed to the things of men.., we, like Peter, are in Satan's camp and under his influence. That is one reason we are to be walking in the Spirit at all times.

If we are not walking in the Spirit, there is no way we can be "mindful" of the things of God. The Holy Spirit is the only one Who knows the things of God and can teach the things of God. If we are not walking in the Spirit..., we are walking in the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh, we are "mindful" of the things of men, and are under the influence of Satan. We will follow this subject further in the next lessons.

IF we like Peter, become "mindful" of the things of humanity, the Holy Spirit CANNOT teach us the deep things of God from the Word of God. Therefore, in this condition, we have laid aside our "protection" from the attacks of Satan.

Luke 22:28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

The English translation of v 31 leaves a lot to be desired. Simply reading this portion, you would think that Satan one day just up and said, "I'd sure like to have Peter to sift as wheat".

If this were just a simple request, you would think God would NOT have allowed Satan to have Peter. You are right! IF this were just a simple request, then God would have denied it. BUT it is far more that a simple request. As a mater of fact, this is the only time this Greek word is used in the Bible.

Asked [Luke 22:31] = (Greek) To demand for trial. This is the Spiritual equivalent of an Arrest Warrant.

As long as we have and live by the Old Sin Nature -- the "Old Man"..., Satan has a right to ask us to appear before his kingdom for trial. Our "Old Man" is of its "Father" the devil. If you are going to live by the flesh (which is the jurisdiction of Satan's kingdom), then Satan has the right to "sift you like sand".

My Christian friend, when you choose to live by the "nature" that was fathered by and belongs to Satan.., then you have placed yourself back under the "Law of Sin".

That is Satan's jurisdiction, and Satan has every right to ask to sift or judge you as he did with Peter. Satan cannot judge you concerning your salvation, because that was born of God and belongs to God. It is important which jurisdiction you choose to live you life in and under.

As a Believer, IF you choose to live in or under the jurisdiction of God through the redemption of Christ, you have the right to all the protection and privilege of a citizen of the heavenly jurisdiction. Your actions and thoughts will be judged by and according to your position in Christ and on the basis of the Law of Peace. Your Judge will be none other that Christ Himself.

If you choose to live in or under the jurisdiction of the flesh that belongs to Satan, you can and will be judged by the "Law of Sin". Your judge will be none other than Satan. More on this subject in coming lessons.

God can and does forgive the Believer for sins confessed and cleansed. BUT Christ cannot guarantee "legal" protection from the results of things said, actions committed or thoughts dwelt on while living in the jurisdiction of Satan.

Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

As a child of God, even if you are brought into Satan's judgment hall, and sentence is passed according to the "Law of Sin", Christ your Advocate (Lawyer) will never leave or forsake you. BUT you will still have to pay the price in earthly judgment for what you have sown while living in and under Satan's jurisdiction. Notice that truth brought out in the story of Peter in Luke 22:32.

Luke 22:28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." 31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

What a wonderful truth that even in the sifting process by Satan, Christ never leaves the judgment hall, and is always praying for your faith to remain active!!

How much better to be on the battle field with Christ, fighting against Christ's enemy.., than to have to stand condemned in the judgment hall of Satan.., knowing that the best that can come from that type of "sifting" or sentencing is an experience that may help to strengthen other Christians.

I would much rather be firing the "cannon" of the Word of God into the front lines of Satan's forces.., than to stand with head bowed in the judgment hall of Satan, waiting for sentence to be passed.

Under whose Jurisdiction are you living today???

The Jurisdiction of Satan -- the things of this world?

OR

The Jurisdiction of Christ -- the things of God?