Christians are in a battle with spiritual powers for the possession of the human heart and mind, their emotions and intellect. The entire human race is assailed by the forces of darkness in this struggle. This conflict will continue until the return of Christ and the subjugation of Satan and his minions.

E-mail: secretary@ccg.org

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Christians have the two edged sword of truth, the Word of God, contained in the Bible to combat the assaults levelled at our mind. Our beliefs, which guide us in the way of Godly living, are the target for Satan’s stratagems to defeat, undermine, destroy and deceive us by any means. Satan is the god of this world, and destruction of all humanity (but especially God’s chosen people) is his aim (Rev. 12:9; lJn. 5:19; 2Cor. 4:3,4; Eph. 2:1,2)

Complacency on the part of Christians is a certain recipe for spiritual disaster and defeat (Prov. 4:23; 1Cor. 10:12; 2Cor. 11:3; Heb. 2:1; 1Pet. 5:8;).

The Word of God gives vital clues regarding Satan’s designs, and warns us of them (2Cor. 2:11; Eph. 2:1,2; lTim. 4:1).

Satan promulgates a body of false ideas, concepts and attitudes, which he broadcasts to our minds, as he is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).

Blatant lies are recognisable, but Satan uses "almost true" intellectual propositions to appeal to reasonable people. He is a liar from the beginning, and a murderer (Jn. 8:44).

Satan puts up false propositions which are close to the truth, and his first foray was against Eve in Genesis 3:1, in an endeavour to discredit God and plant the idea of "God is against you" in her mind. Satan twists God’s words of Genesis 2:16,17, to suggest another message (Gen. 3:14). Satan introduced doubt into Eve’s mind as to what God had ordered, and imputed evil motives to God.

In Genesis 3:2-3, Eve’s answer shows she became infected by Satan’s suggestions.

In Genesis 2:16-17, God told Adam and Eve they could freely eat of every tree, bar one. The only sin they could commit was to disobey God’s instructions. Eve’s mind and attitude were subverted. This is Satan’s ploy against mankind since then. God is towards mankind (Ps. 37:4, 84:11; Rom. 8:31-32).

Satan has convinced mankind that God’s way is burdensome, especially regarding Sabbaths, Holy Days, tithing, and food laws. Matthew 11:30 and 1John 5:3 refute that. It then follows that mankind lacks gratitude to God for His goodness to us (Rom. 1:21 and 2Tim. 3:1,2). We should be thankful as in 1Thessalonians 5:18.

Satan’s false doctrines build a spirit of resentment and anger, which leads to murder, war and death. Also resentment breeds bitterness, and leads to our spiritual defeat. We are so warned by Paul (Eph. 4:2-27; Heb. 12:14-15). Satan subverted one third of the angelic Host by this ploy.

After telling Eve she would not die (Gen. 3:4), the world has gone on to accept the soul doctrine, and that God is a liar. The world accepts that "truth" is anything except the Word of God. God says otherwise (Jn. 17:17; 2Tim.3:16-17). Scripture reveals knowledge otherwise inaccessible to man.

Satan works to establish a concession by us on a point, and from this weakness proceeds to destroy us. Seducers have ever used this method of attacking a weakness, exploiting it, and so gaining ascendancy over the victim.

In Genesis 3:5, Satan goes on to introduce the idea of "you can be a god" by your own efforts. This precludes the necessity for repentance, baptism and the acceptance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice necessary for eternal life. Mankind is destined to become elohim, but it must be by following God’s Law and instructions (Heb. 2:5-8; Rom. 8:14-17; Rev. 21:7).

The world, under Satan’s rule, has lost sight of God’s plan, and lives for the material present. But God says it all in 2Corinthians 4:17,18.

We lose focus on the future for mankind and dwell on the pleasures of the world, which are fleeting (Heb. 11:24-27, 12:1).

Satan is the author of slander, gossip, rumour and character assassination (Eze. 28:14-16). The word of interest in verse 16 is merchandise (KJV) or trading (NKJV). This word in Hebrew can also mean "slanderer". (Lev. 19:16; Jer. 9:4; Ezek. 22:9; and Prov. 11:13a; 20:19a).

Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). The Lord hates slander and accusation (Pro. 6:16-19). Jesus warns (Mat. 15:18-19; Mat. 12:33-37; James also warns (Jas. 3:8-12).

Satan also tempted Eve (Gen. 3:5) with the idea of gaining knowledge. This esoteric knowledge leads to pride and vanity, rudeness and arrogance. This is in contrast to the knowledge we must have to gain eternal life (Jn. 17:1-3, and 2Pet. 3:18) where God desires us to grow in knowledge of Him and His plan.

James has good counsel for all (Jas. 3:13-18). The principle knowledge God gives, is how to lead a pure, righteous, peaceable, gentle, and merciful life filled with good fruits. We must take heed to ourselves that we do not fall into the Devil’s snare (2Tim. 2:22-26). We should also bear in mind the admonition in 1Corinthians 8:1-3.

We must be vigilant. Satan’s goal is to subvert each one of us, but his strategies are exposed for us in the pages of God’s word. This is the weapon of our warfare.