BATTLES OVER STRATEGIC TERRITORY
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
• Write the Key Verse from memory.
• Identify Satan's strategies against the physical body.
• Summarize spiritual counter strategies for victory in the physical body.
• Explain Satan's strategies of using human personalities to war against believers.
• Summarize counter strategies for victory over human personalities which war
against believers.
• Identify Satan's strategies against the family.
• Summarize spiritual counter strategies for victory in the family.
• Identify Satan's strategies in the financial and material realm.
• Summarize spiritual counter strategies for victory in the financial and material realm.
KEY VERSE FROM THE ARTICLES OF WAR:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
INTRODUCTION
Previous chapters focused on major attacks of the enemy on the mind, the tongue, your spiritual walls, and the combat zone of the world and the flesh. This chapter continues the study of
specific targets of the enemy focusing on the strategic territories of the physical body, the family, finances, and attacks through human personalities.
STRATEGIES OF SATAN: PHYSICAL ATTACKS
Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost:
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (I Corinthians 3:16-17)
Because your body is the temple of God's Spirit, it will be attacked by Satan through:
SICKNESS:
Sickness is in the world because of the original sin of Adam and Eve. Although all sickness is in the world because of sin, it does not mean everyone who is suffering is sick because of their own sin.
The Bible reveals various reasons for sickness. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is illness caused by Satan. Satan attempts to afflict the body just as he attempts to afflict the soul and spirit. Your body is no more immune to his attacks than your spirit is to discouragement, condemnation, etc. But illness can also be used as chastisement to deal with sin. For an example see the story of Miriam in Numbers 12.
In one healing Jesus performed during His earthly ministry He said to the recipient:
...Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (John 5:14)
The illness of this man was apparently a result of sin. In another case, Jesus made it clear that the illness was not the result of sin but for the glory of God:
And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (John 9:1-3)
An illness for the glory of God is one caused by Satan but which God uses for His glory when physical healing comes through prayer. This type of illness is a direct physical attack by Satan. When counter strategies for victory are applied, this physical attack can actually bring glory to God.
All illness is not caused by sin or Satan or as chastisement. Illness may result from the breaking of natural laws. For example, you may become ill because you do not eat properly or you probably will break your leg if you jump from the top of a coconut tree. Tempting you to break natural laws is an indirect attack of Satan on your body. He tempts you to eat improperly and not take care of your body because he knows that it can result in an illness which will hinder your effectiveness for God.
EXHAUSTION:
Satan also attacks the body through exhaustion which results from being too busy or working too hard. When you are extremely tired physically, Satan takes advantage and launches spiritual attacks. Satan came to Jesus when He was exhausted from 40 days of fasting (Matthew 4:2). When Elijah was tired from great spiritual exploits he became so discouraged that he wanted to die (I Kings 19:4).
DEATH:
Although physical death must come to all men until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, Satan attempts to cause premature death. He will tempt people to commit suicide. He will also make you fearful of illness or accidents which could result in death.
ABUSE:
Satan also tempts people to abuse their physical bodies by putting toxic substances into them such as drugs and alcoholic beverages. He knows such toxic substances can result in illness, mental damage, and death.
SPIRITUAL COUNTER STRATEGIES: VICTORY OVER PHYSICAL ATTACKS
When you are ill, seek the Lord to determine the cause of your illness. Have you violated a natural law which resulted in your illness? For example, have you been eating improperly or drinking bad water? Have you been abusing your body by putting toxic substances such as cigarette smoke into your system?
If you have violated natural laws, God can still heal you. But you should use more wisdom in the future. Remember that your body is the temple of God's Holy Spirit. Stop breaking natural laws and take better care of your body. This is also important to remember in case of exhaustion. Jesus called His disciples to rest when they were exhausted from their busy ministry (Mark 6:31).
When Elijah was tired and depressed he rested under a tree and God sent an angel to him with physical food. Elijah waited until he received a new touch from God and his physical strength had been renewed before going on to new challenges of ministry (I Kings 19:4-8).
When illness results as chastisement for sin it is not caused by Satan and binding the power of the enemy will do no good. Only repentance and return to God will bring relief:
Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten and he will bind us up. (Hosea 6:1)
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds... (Jeremiah 30:17)
...If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26)
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. (Psalms 103:3)
In regards to physical attacks caused by Satan it is important to remember that as a believer, God is in control of your life. Satan cannot touch you physically nor take your life without the knowledge of God. Read Job chapters one and two which verify these facts. The power of God is greater than that of Satan. The God who made the human body has the power to heal that body. Claim these promises for healing when you experience physical attacks from Satan:
But unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings... (Malachi 4:2)
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. (I Peter 2:24)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (III John 1:2)
When Satan attacks you physically, call for the prayers of other believers, including elders in the church and those with the spiritual gift of healing:
...to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. (I Corinthians
12:9) And God hath set some in the church...then gifts of healings... (I Corinthians 12:28)
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15)
Physical death is part of the process of life until the end of time as we know it. It should not be feared by believers, for we have the promise of eternal life:
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians 15:55)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:8)
Satan cannot take the life of a believer before the set time for his death, as illustrated by the story of Job. God does not overrule the human will, however. If a person is tempted by Satan to commit suicide and yields to that temptation, God will not overrule the act of his will.
STRATEGIES OF SATAN:
ATTACKS THROUGH HUMAN PERSONALITIES
Another way Satan attacks you is through human personalities. Satan can use people around you to attack you spiritually. The attack may come from family, friends, enemies, business associates, or even strangers. Human personalities can be disguised as "angels of light," apostles, and ministers of righteousness. But Satan is actually working through them:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
(II Corinthians 11:13-16)
The strategy of transference of spirits has already been covered in a previous chapter. But Satan also has other ways of using human personalities. Satan will use people to give you wrong counsel. Read the book of Job and note the wrong counsel given by his friends and his wife. Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but Satan also has his prophets. Personal prophecies through human personalities are not always God-inspired. Study the tragic example of this in I Kings 13. Attacks of Satan will come through trusted friends as well as enemies or unbelievers:
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him;
But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in
company. (Psalms 55:12-14)
Satan uses human personalities to exalt you and tempt you to take God's glory for yourself:
And the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. (Acts 12:22-23)
People are used by Satan to get you to stray from the plan of God for your life. Read how Peter was used of Satan to attack Jesus in this way (Mark 8:31-33). Satan will try to get your eyes on others instead of God. Peter was distracted from God's plan by concern with what He had planned for John (John 21:20-23).
Satan will tempt you to "emulation" which is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Emulations is trying to imitate, equal, or excel others, to copy, rival, or compete with them. As long as you are busy doing this, you will not follow the pattern of ministry God has for your own life.
Satan will use people to deceive you. Read how this happened to Joshua (Joshua 9). People will desert you (II Timothy 4:16-17; Acts 15:37- 38; John 6:66). Satan will try to hinder your spiritual objectives in relation to others (I Thessalonians 2:18), and will cause confusion and disharmony (I Corinthians 14:33; James 3:16). Satan also will use others to affect the circumstances in your life Read how this happened to Joseph in Genesis chapters 37 and 39.
SPIRITUAL COUNTER STRATEGIES: VICTORY OVER HUMAN PERSONALITIES
In a previous chapter on transference of spirits the importance of carefully selecting friends and associates was stressed. This is an important counter strategy in gaining victory over attacks of Satan launched through others. Choosing close associates carefully will eliminate much deception, desertion, disagreement, wrong counsel, and hindering of spiritual progress. But two
other important counter strategies bring victory over human personalities.
First: Obey God rather than man.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Second: Follow others only as they follow God.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)
Be ye therefore followers of God... (Ephesians 5:1)
Do not accept counsel or prophecies from anyone when they do not agree with God's written Word. Do not admire or follow the leadership of those whose lives do not line up with God's Word. Recognize you will only be successful as long as you follow God's plan for your life. You will not be successful in emulating others. You must not be diverted by those around you. You must rely on revelation, not imitation.
Although those around you may manipulate circumstances that affect you, remember that God is still in control. Although Joseph experienced such an attack through human personalities, God turned it for his good:
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God... (Genesis 45:8)
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
STRATEGIES OF SATAN: ATTACKS ON THE FAMILY
The family is the basic unit of society established by God in the beginning of the world when He first created man. God has always emphasized the family. He raised up a nation of chosen people from the family of one man, Abraham. He selected the physical union of a man and his wife to describe the spiritual union between Christ and the church. Throughout the Scriptures, God stressed the importance of the family in His plan of the ages.
The family is the basic structure from which all other structures stem. Government and religious leaders are raised in families. Communities and nations consist of many families grouped together. Because of the importance of this basic unit of society, the family is a target for attack by Satan.
Satan attacks the union between a man and his wife. He tries to cause improper sexual relationships which will result in sin (I Corinthians 7:5). He leads men and women into the sin of adultery (Galatians 5:19). He tries to get one partner to influence the other to turn away from God (Job 2). Satan promotes division in the home. This can range from arguments through divorce. Satan tries to bring division because he knows....
...Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
If Satan can bring division and destroy the homes of a nation, he can eventually destroy the nation itself.
God established a chain of command in the home. The man is to be the head of the home and love his wife. The wife is to follow his leadership and the children are to be in submission to their parents (I Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:1-6:1). Satan targets the man of the home and tempts him to act in unloving ways. This results in a loss of respect and obedience from the wife and children. Satan tempts the wife to act in rebellion against the husband. Satan targets the children in a home. He creates an atmosphere of lack of discipline which results in rebellion. Read the story of Eli's sons in I Samuel 2 and of David's son, Absalom, in II Samuel 13-19.
Jesus warned of the attacks of the enemy in the home:
For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Luke 12:52-53)
SPIRITUAL COUNTER STRATEGIES: VICTORY IN THE FAMILY
Many problems in the family unit can be avoided if believers choose their mate properly. The Bible warns that believers are not to marry unbelievers:
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14)
When a family unit is composed of believers and unbelievers, spiritual division exists. This division is not a conflict between flesh and blood. It is a spiritual conflict. It cannot be won by harsh words or through debate and argument.
Satan fights the unity of the family because it is a natural parallel of the unity between Christ and the church. Believers must recognize this and declare:
...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
As heir of the promise of Abraham, you can also claim the promise "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). Because you are a spiritual heir of Abraham, your family will be blessed.
To protect against attacks of Satan, the family must grow together spiritually. Prayer and study of God's Word will bind the family together:
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of
them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
The family must be in proper order before you assume leadership in ministry. New Testament requirements for leadership are that the home of leaders be in order. (See Titus l and I Timothy 3). Wrong emphasis on ministry has resulted in division in many Christian homes. To defeat Satan's strategy in this area, the home must be in scriptural order before a believer engages in ministry leadership positions.
Parents have a responsibility to discipline their children. The home problems of Eli and David resulted because of lack of discipline. The Bible instructs believers regarding this responsibility:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (early). (Proverbs 13:24)
STRATEGIES OF SATAN: FINANCIAL ATTACKS
Finances and material possessions of believers are another area Satan targets for attack. His attacks are launched in two major areas:
One: Financial loss through no fault of the believer. This is a direct attack of Satan on the finances or material possessions of believers.
Two: Attacks on finances or material possessions through violation of Scriptural guidelines.
The first type of attack is illustrated by the example of Job in chapters l and 2. Satan attacked Job's finances by destroying his herds (which was his business) and his home. The roof literally fell in! The Bible declares Job was a righteous man, so we know he was not in violation of Scriptural principles.
The second type of attack is illustrated by any violation of Scriptural guidelines. Satan knows if he can lead believers to violate Biblical principles, their finances will not be blessed. Without material possessions and finances they will not be able to support the spread of the Gospel to the nations of the world.
Study the following references to discover how Satan attacks in our finances:
-Improper business partnerships with unbelievers: II Corinthians 6:14-18 (This verse is often only applied to the marriage relationship, when in fact it is applicable to any union of believers with non-believers).
-Debt: Romans 13:8
-Co-signing for debts of others: Proverbs 6:1-2
-Withholding payment when funds are readily available: Proverbs 3:27-28 -Withholding tithes and offerings: Malachi 3:1-12; Proverbs 11:24 -Dishonesty: Proverbs 16:8; Acts 5:3-4
-Fraud: James 5:3-4
-Unfair wages: Jeremiah 22:13
-Greed: Proverbs 28:22
-Intemperance: Proverbs 23:21
-Violation of government laws regarding money: Romans 13:6-7
-Laziness which results in poverty: Proverbs 20:13
-"Get-rich-quick" schemes: Proverbs 20:21; 28:22
-Love of money: I Timothy 6:10
-Business and financial situations creating "weights": II Timothy 2:4.
-Regarding offerings lightly and receiving inordinate funds for personal gain: I Samuel 2:29
SPIRITUAL COUNTER STRATEGIES: VICTORY IN FINANCES
Satan can attack the finances and material possessions of believers through no fault of their own. You read about this in the example of Job. But remember, Satan did not touch the finances or possessions of Job without the permission of God. This was an attack permitted by God to try Job's faith. Because Job was faithful, God blessed him with more than he had in the beginning.
When you experience financial difficulties through no fault of your own, you can be assured it is an attack launched by the enemy. If faith in God is maintained and you continue to govern their financial affairs according to Scriptural principles, God's blessing of restoration will follow this temporary trial:
So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning...(Job 42:12)
If you are experiencing financial difficulties because of the violation of Scriptural principles then you must repent and correct the violation. You must dissolve partnerships with unbelievers (II Corinthians 6:14-18). You must correct dishonesty (Proverbs 16:8, Acts 5:3-4) and violation of government laws (Romans 13:6-7). To counteract the strategies of Satan you must refrain from fraud (James 5:3-4), unfair wages (Jeremiah 22:13), greed (Proverbs 28:22), intemperance (Proverbs 23:21), and laziness (Proverbs 20:13).
You should remove yourself from business and financial transactions which entangle and prevent you from being a good spiritual warrior (II Timothy 2:4). You should refuse "get-rich-quick" schemes (Proverbs 20:21; 28:22) which are motivated by the love of money (I Timothy 6:10). You must trust in God rather than wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18-19; Psalms 49:6). You should refuse to co-sign debts for others (Proverbs 6:1-2) and get out of debt yourself (Romans 13:8; Proverbs 3:27-28).
If you are withholding offerings and tithes, you must correct this omission (Proverbs 11:24; Malachi 3:1-12). If you are in positions where you receive offerings, you must not use them for personal gain or regard them lightly (I Samuel 2:29). When you give to God, you must give your tithes and offerings:
-Willingly: Exodus 35:5; I Chronicles 29:9 -With A Perfect Heart: I Chronicles 29:9 -Freely: Matthew 6:38
-Secretly: Matthew 6:3
-Regularly: I Corinthians 16:2
-Cheerfully: II Corinthians 9:7
-With Simplicity: Romans 12:8
-According To Your Income: Matthew 5:42 -According To Your Ability: Ezra 2:69
-By Percentage Of Income: Genesis 14:20; 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; II Chronicles 31:5; Malachi 3:10
It is only by correcting these Scriptural violations that you can overcome the attacks of Satan in the area of finances.
TACTICAL MANEUVERS
1. Read the book of Job. Job was attacked in the physical, material, and family realms. He was also attacked through human personalities. Behind each of these circumstances and areas of attack there was a spiritual reason. See Job.1:6-12; 2:1-6; 42:5.
REMEMBER: There is a spiritual reason behind every circumstance and problem which you face in life.
2. For further discussion of sickness and divine healing of the body, obtain the Harvestime International Institute course entitled "Battle For The Body." Because sickness and divine healing are covered in detail in the "Battle For The Body" manual, the material is not repeated in this course. It is important that you study further in this area, however, as Satanic attacks the body are a major tactic of the enemy.
3. Are you being attacked physically or financially? How does your attitude and practice of giving line up with what you were taught in this lesson. Do you give...
-Willingly: Exodus 35:5; I Chronicles 29:9 -With A Perfect Heart: I Chronicles 29:9 -Freely: Matthew 6:38
-Secretly: Matthew 6:3
-Regularly: I Corinthians 16:2
-Cheerfully: II Corinthians 9:7
-With Simplicity: Romans 12:8
-According To Your Income: Matthew 5:42 -According To Your Ability: Ezra 2:69
-By Percentage Of Income: Genesis 14:20; 28:22; Leviticus 27:30
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