PART 4 THE INVISIBLE FORCES OF EVIL

PART 4 THE INVISIBLE FORCES OF EVIL

CHAPTER 10

How Does the Devil Blind the Minds of Unbelievers from Responding to the Gospel?                                         

The devil has a strategy to make of no effect the gospel of Christ. He has to figure out how to distort the essence of the gospel, which is to repent of one’s sins to God the Father and believe in his Son Jesus Christ, so that when an unbeliever responds they won’t receive the Holy Spirit. How does he do this?

Please go to 2 Corinthians 4.

 

The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not:

2 Corinthians 4:1-4

The apostle Paul is conveying to the Corinthian believers that the gospel ministry (the ministry by which the Holy Spirit acts on the hearts of people²⁰), which they had received, was because of the mercy of God and on account of such they fainted not (not to give into evil).

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  

   Therefore, this gospel ministry serves as the basis for: their denial or renouncing of the hidden things of shame (disgraceful conduct and underhanded dealings); them not walking in craftiness (in a crafty manner of getting what one wants by deceiving people²¹);them nor handling the word of God deceitfully (not disguising part of what they believe so that they would become popular; not being more concerned about speaking ability than about correct content²²) so that the explanation of those spiritual things as taught to them by the Holy Spirit, which are free from dishonesty, and art, and trick will be approved by the conscience of those who hear them. 

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Paul goes on to say that if the good news about Christ is concealed from view, then it is hid from those who are willfully blind, those who are fully under the power of sin; who have given up themselves to work wickedness²³.

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

In whom (those who are lost), the god (the devil; as the being who is really being worshipped) of this world has blinded (by the systems of superstition and idolatry²⁴) the minds (thoughts; mental perceptions) of those who are unbelievers.

In these verses, it appears that the devil does not intervene personally in blinding the minds of unbelievers, but uses the religious systems to do so. These systems are reflective of the devil’s spirit.

What are the characteristics of these religious systems that are reflective of the devil’s spirit?

�-�They support and encourage secret and shameful deeds.

�-�They provide teaching that shifts with the wind of popular opinion.

�-�They explain spiritual things in the words of man’s wisdom.

�-�They condone prevalent and popular vices.

�-�They approve appearance rather than correct content.

No wonder why God is not able to indwell unbelievers’ lives. They are so corrupted with false teachings that have affected their mental perception such that when the pure gospel is presented they consider it as being offensive, intrusive, discriminating, and adversarial to all that they have known from religion.

How else does the devil inhibit unbelievers from responding to the gospel?

Let’s go to the book of Ephesians.

 

In time past ye walked:

Ephesians 2:1-3; 1:17,20

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17)

Paul is praying for the Ephesian believers that God the Father would give them, based on the fact that their spirit is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a moving by the Spirit in wisdom (an understanding of spiritual realities²⁵) and revelation (the disclosing of spiritual truths) so that they would know Christ personally and intimately.

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)

He proceeds on to say that as God the Father raised Christ from the dead, seating him at his own right hand, so were they raised from the dead to be seated together with Christ.

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2)

After which, he decided to describe to them what their behavior was rooted in when they were unbelievers. At that time in their life, they ordered their behavior not only according to the customs or manners of this world (the system of evil … together with the purposes, pursuits, pleasures. and places where God is not wanted²⁶), but also according to the prince (the ruler) of the power (the whole empire of evil spirits) of the air (the region between the sky and the earth), the spirit (the evil spirit), which is the ruling principle that influences the lives (their thinking and acting) of the children of disobedience (unbelievers; those who are unpersuadable).

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3)

Like those who are unpersuadable, their way of life was centered in the lusts (propensities; passionate longings) of the flesh (sin nature); performing the desires (wishes that come from the emotions) of the flesh (sin nature) and of the mind (reasoning processes; marked by the absence of any controlling regard to the will of God²⁷), and because of such were by nature (by birth) the children of wrath (persons exposed to God’s displeasure).

These verses indicated that those who are unbelievers conducted their life according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air. Another word, there is a spirit, that being the moral or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of their lives they inhale, again inevitably to exhale²⁸ that controls or influences them, which is that same spirit which characterizes the prince of the power of the air.

Is there another mention in the scriptures of the devil inhibiting people from responding to the gospel?Yes, there is.

In this instance, evidently, one of Jesus own apostles apparently didn’t believe in him as the Messiah/savior. As a result, he was susceptible to the influences of the evil one. Let’s see what this was all about.

 

Then entered Satan into Judas:

Suggested Reading: Luke 22:1-6

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (Luke 22:3)

The chief priests and scribes are plotting as to how they might kill Jesus. At this time, Satan enters one of Jesus’ disciples named Judas. Some believe that this doesn’t refer to demon possession, but rather is in regard to influencing his mind by filling it with an evil passion that coincided with his propensity or inclination for monetary gain.

All I could think of is that what this sounds like is the devil projected a thought or thoughts into Judas mind. Judas decided to act on these thoughts and go to the Jewish authorities in order to be an active participant in this sinister plot. It appears that when the plan was successfully carried out, then he would receive monetary compensation for his involvement.

A short time later, Judas is in the company of Jesus with the other apostles attending the Feast of the Passover supper. This particular day and the subsequent accompanying supper were kept in remembrance of the Lord's passing over the houses of the Israelites because of the blood applied to the doorposts of their dwellings, but not passing over the dwellings of the Egyptians whose first born of both males and beasts were killed. It was on this occasion that Satan entered Judas again.                            

The devil having now put into the heart of Judas:

John 13:2-31

2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

While celebrating the Passover supper, the account seems to confirm that Judas had already been influenced by the devil at an earlier occasion to betray Christ. The word “put into the heart” means to cast something into the heart. The inference is that there was some inclination of his mind, some natural propensity that the devil could tempt. Satan presented a projection of objects in alluring forms that are aligned with these corrupt inclinations which influenced or excited the soul to sin.

How would the devil know about Judas propensities?

I don’t believe that he can read peoples’ minds. It’s possible that he or one of his fallen angels observed Judas on a day to day basis and over time it became apparent by his speech and actions that he had a propensity in the area of monetary gain.

27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

During the supper, Jesus gave Judas the sop (the bread after it had been dipped in the common bowl). This was normally a sign of honor to the person who received it²⁹. Right after this it says that Satan entered into him. Another word, he impressed upon his heart a projection, in this case to complete his mission of betrayal and reap the monetary reward.

     What we can conclude is that an unbeliever, probably in many cases, unbeknownst to him/her, is engaged in a spiritual battle in which there are inside and outside forces that are trying to inhibit them from responding to the pure gospel message. These inside and outside forces can be classified as follows.

 

A.  Religious Systems

Whose characteristics are reflective of the devil’s spirit.

These are they which:

�-�Support and encourage secret and shameful deeds.

�-�Provide teaching that shifts with the wind of popular opinion.

�-�Explain spiritual things in the words of man’s wisdom.

�-�Condone prevalent and popular vices.

�-�Give more approval to outward appearance rather than correct content.

 

B.  The World System

That evidences a ruling principle or spirit, which characterizes the spirit of the prince of the power of the air; that is designed to control or influence unbelievers by the promotion of its moral or immoral atmosphere.

 

C.  The Devil

Himself and his angels impacts unbelievers by means of affecting them in their heart (mind). They are able to do this by observing their propensities or inclinations as exhibited by their speech or actions. Theseprojections are used to excite the soulto engage in sinful activities (e.g. betrayal, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc.) thus enslaving the unbeliever in addictiveforms of behavior.

I hope what you have just learned has provided insight as to the many obstacles that the devil has at his disposal to blind the minds of unbelievers so that they choose not to believe in the pure gospel of Christ. If the pure gospel is presented and the unbeliever responds, thus receiving the Holy Spirit, and becoming a believer, the devil has a protocol in place to inhibit them from them advancing on to spiritual maturity.

 

CHAPTER 11

Why Does the Devil Wage War against Believers?

Now that you are a believer you might think, I’ve got it made. I am God’s adopted son. I have a new nature. My eternal destiny, heaven, is secure. I have one of the members of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, living inside of me. I’m all set. The devil can’t touch me. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Believe it or not, we are his arch enemies here on earth. Before we answer as to the whythis is, a better question would be what is our purpose now that we are a born again Christian? If we can determine what this is, this might help us to understand why the devil vehemently opposes us.

     Now that we are a Christian what should we strive for in a godly sense?

 

To be conformed to the image of his Son:

Romans 8:29-30

God the Father knew beforehand (foreknowledge), who would repent to Him and believe in his Son in their free will for salvation. Therefore, He chose (elected) those beforehand, whom he knew would believe in his Son,when they would be alive on earth, for salvation. God has a plan (called predestination) for those, who chose to repent and believe in his Son for salvation, that being to be conformed to the image of his Son.

What does it mean for a Christian to be conformed to the image of God’s son?

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

This conformity relates to a process known as sanctification, whereby the saint is transformed in his inner heart life to resemble the Lord Jesus, which inner change results in a change of outward expression that reflects the beauty of the Lord Jesus³⁰.Therefore, a believer should strive to be transformed in their heart so that their outward expression will resemble the Lord Jesus.

     What else should a Christian strive for?

     Please go to 2 Peter.

 

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

The apostle Peter is instructing fellow believers to continue to make progress daily in grace (grace for daily Christian living, namely, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the yielded saint, and the Christian graces which are the product of His work³¹being evidenced in trials and suffering) and in knowledge (this begins by knowing Christ initially in regeneration and it continues on in one's deepening relationship with Him³² to possess just views of Christ’s person, character, and work³³).

     Here is presented another example of what a Christian should strive for. A Christian should strive to grow (to continue to make progress daily in grace (in being yielded to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, through whom will be produced in them his spiritual qualities, which will evidence Christ-likeness to others while in the midst of trials and sufferings) and knowledge (possessing correct views of Christ in all aspects).

     Is there anything else that a Christian should strive for?

     Let’s take a look at Philippians 3.

 

That I may know him:

Suggested Reading: Philippians 3:1-16

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (Philippians 3:4-5)

Paul is saying to the believers at Philippi watch out for those, who have confidence in the flesh. Those, who he was like, at one time in his life when he was born as a pure blooded Jew, being circumcised on the eighth day, of Jewish parents, of the tribe of Benjamin, having become a Pharisee, which is the strictest sect of Judaism that observed the formal rules of the Law, without fault, and with zeal having persecuted the church.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:7. 9)

Paul goes on to say that all of those things that he confided in, which he considered gain in self-righteousness, he now considered loss (rubbish, which can mean food scraps or dung³⁴) in relationship to the righteousness that is in God, which is found only through the faith of Christ.

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

  His gain now was to know Christ more intimately by the apprehension of truth as an influencing power into the very being of him who knows them³⁵,and the power (the power which the resurrection of Christ has, for instructing, reforming, elevating, tranquilizing, the soul³⁶) of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings (an inward experience of identification with Christ in suffering for righteousness sake), being made conformable (a conformity to the spirit and temper, the meekness and submissiveness of Christ; to His unselfish love and devotion, and His anguish over human sin³⁷)unto his death (with the result of there being death to self and to the world so that his life might be a blessing for others).

     Like Paul, Christians should strive to:

~ Appropriate truth as an influencing power.

~ Operate in spiritual power that instructs, reforms, elevates, and tranquilizes the soul.

~ Identify with Christ in suffering for righteousness sake.

~ Be inwardly conformed to the likeness of Christ (to his spirit, temper, meekness,

   submissiveness, unselfish love, devotion, etc.)

~ Be daily set apart from sin, dying unto self and to the world, so that he/she may be a blessing to others.

     As we strive for these spiritual realities both within and without, something remarkable begins to happen. What do you think that is?

     Unbelievers begin to see Christ’s spiritual qualities evidenced by us. They no longer see the person who we used to be committing: fornication, adultery, lies, homosexual acts, slander, etc. Not only so, but something else begins to be manifest according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

     What you ask might this be, the gifts or spiritual endowments of the Holy Spirit? Unbelievers begin to see the supernatural evidenced in the natural. People get healed of physical issues, miraculous events are brought forth, words of knowledge are declared, etc.

     What does this open the door for, for the presentation of the pure gospel; for the salvation of souls; for the reception of one of the members of the trinity; for the assurance of eternal life?

     Why does the devil hate us?

     Because of what Christians strive for and what would be the result if they were able to appropriate what they are striving for which would be to bring about into the lives of unbelievers’ the very perception that the devil rebelled against. This spiritual reality is one that he operated in for a period of time before his fall. If the human race chooses God’s life, then the devil will surmise that his sentencing by God the Father to the lake of fire is warranted.

     The devil will do everything thing he can to prevent Christians from striving to obtain these spiritual blessings for themselves. How does he do this?