The Defeated Foe (VI)

11/12/21 

As we continue on in the series of hearing the Lord speak and discerning His voice…I am led to include a post on our defeated foe, Satan and his minions.  I do this not to frighten you but to make you aware that if God speaks to us, know that the enemy can speak, too.  As I have said before, we can know God’s voice from the enemy’s by knowing God’s Word and the inflection of the voice heard.

I like this: “Our Defeated Foe” By Billy Graham.

“How do we overcome the devil in everyday life? First, we need to recognize that the devil is a defeated foe. The Son of God came to undo the work of the devil. The crucifixion of Christ, which looked like a mighty victory for Satan, turned out to be a great triumph for God, because it was on the cross that Jesus took your sins and my sins…Then, we are able to resist the devil. If we resist him, Scripture says, he will flee from us. Jesus overcame the devil not by argument but simply by quoting Scripture. That is why it is so important to learn and memorize Scripture passages.”

https://billygraham.org/devotion/our-defeated-foe/

If the enemy quotes scripture at you, it will be partial or twisted.  You wield the sword right back at him aiming for the heart- the heart of the matter.  One sentence is all you need, no arguing with the devil.  Quote the WORD only so he will flee and resist him.  Remember this fact as we continue to learn how to discern the voice of the One who loves us.  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  (James 4:7).

Before you engage him though, ask the Lord to show you where the issue is coming from perhaps it is not the enemy.  Pray for the gift of discernment to understand and to have the source (or the enemy) revealed to you. 

From a previous post: “A word of caution here.  It is best not to verbally confront satan without scripture.  A good example to follow is Jude 1:9: Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

When listening for the Lord’s voice in prayer, it is important to protect our gates.  What am I talking about?  The eye gates and ear gates we all possess.  Guard these gates by asking yourself if Jesus would want you to look at or listen to something.  Because that ‘something’ could be a snare set up by you know who…to soil your mind.  Beware of the bait (as in fish bait)!  Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11).

I believe the goldfish picture captures our defeated foe with humor.  At times, I can take the enemy too seriously and I will use this picture to help me recall his biggest tactic is ‘bluffing’!   Jesus called him the father of lies: When he (Satan) lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8:44c). 

One last sure-fire way to rid yourself of the enemy’s voice is to worship the Lord.  Believe me, he will flee.  I sense our worship of God is like nails on a chalk board to Satan and his minions.  Scratch away and be prepared to go deeper with God!