Breaking The Chains Of Bondage (Part 2)

Make no mistake about it, Satan has his ways, but...God's ways are better!  Even though God's ways are better, most don't understand this and as a result they continue to live under an assault from their enemy the devil.  It is unfortunate, but I sincerely believe there has never been a generation on the face of the earth that has felt such a continuous assault of demonic forces as this generation in which we live.  If you plan to win these battles, then you must position yourself spiritually so that you can recognize the enemy forces when they come against you.  To do this, you have to know three things: 1.) How the devil works; 2.) What his objectives are; and 3.) The truth of God's Word.


1.  How The Devil Works

John 8:42-44 gives us a clear picture of how Satan works.  These verses tell us that Satan is a murderer, he doesn't hold to the truth, he speaks lies, he is the father of lies and that lying is his "native language."   In other words, Satan will never tell you the truth!  You need to know that.  Satan will try to cause you to believe as true every thought that comes into your mind.  But if that thought isn't consistent with the Word of God, then it is a lie!   2 Corinthians 10:4-5 admonishes believers to "demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive every 'thought' to make it obedient to Christ."  Your thought life is not to master you, but you are to master it as you submit your life to the power of Christ.

2.  Satan's Objectives

Although Satan has many schemes and plans to try to destroy your life his four main objectives are the following:

• To Draw You Away From God.  Satan is masterful at drawing God's people into the ways of the "world system."  He will use every means necessary, sports, entertainment, leisure, work, etc.  None of these are evil, but Satan uses them to keep you so busy with the "world system" that you neglect prayer, study, Bible reading, and fellowship with believers.
• To Hinder God's Purpose.  God has a plan and purpose for your life, but so does the enemy.  And the two are diametrically opposed to each other.  Just know that Satan will do all he can to keep you from God's plan.
• To Deny God Honor And Glory.  In addition to fulfilling God's mission to save humanity, one of your primary purposes is to give and bring honor and glory to God.  Satan wants to hinder that so he can steal it for himself.
• To Destroy Us.  John 10:10 clearly states that "the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy."  But Jesus has come to give "life" and that more abundantly!

3.  The Truth Of God's Word

Luke 9:1-2, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure disease. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Mark 16:15-18, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

John 14:12, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

I John 5:4-5, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Romans 8:37, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Satan has his ways, but God's ways are better and more powerful!  Let's start living up to God's ways.

Pastor Temple