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The term devil and Satan are terms that are oftentimes mystical and ambiguously interpreted in modern ears. When we think of the devil or Satan, the cartoon character or mythological figure of some guy in a red jump suit with horns, a pitch fork and a pointy tail aren’t things most thinking people actually admit to seeing in there minds eye. The mystical dynamics and the lack of a clear image or strong idea of the entity in question have caused our minds to still have a hard time escaping the cartoon-like image and wrapping around a new image that apprehends the concept of Satan in a practical and life applicable way.
Satan or the devil in psychological concept needs to be redressed in our minds. The broad strokes in the scripture given to encapsulate Satan is done in a way to cover a broad array of adverse spiritual forces, and for us to find relevance in our life we must break Satan down from the general and broad sweeping revelatory strokes to more simple and bite sized pieces. In the scripture Satan or devil are words used more for the description of an operation rather than for the simple establishment of an individual identity. We must note that the designated terms simply infer enemy or adversarial forces and that these two words are two different ways of saying the same thing.
Now in the scripture Satan and/or the devil is pictured in the book of revelations as a seven headed dragon to describe a multi-faceted multi-headed kingdom. As the head is the first thing revealed from the cervix when a baby is born, heads speak of manifestations and surely there are many diverse ways in which Satan manifests himself in the lives of different people. Simply put, the head that is biting you may not be the same head that’s biting me.
It seems to me that believers that are engaged in struggle oft times see their struggles outside of the perimeters of the biblical truths regarding the devil. We seek God in prayer regarding our struggle as if we aren’t sure how to view it or how to address it. The fear that you’ve been fighting to overcome, or that temper that is out of control at times that you have been trying to subdue, or that bitterness and offense that you’ve been struggling to get past, that’s your devil. That love of God or love for God that has grown cold, or that lack of self control in that area that you can’t seem to get victory over that’s your devil! Perhaps the confusion spurts in your relationship where no matter how you try you can’t seem to see eye to eye, or the insecurity and low self esteem that drives you to ungodly activities, or the envy you feel when someone else succeeds, that’s your devil! The fire of lust that starts in your heart every-time you see a financial opportunity that causes you to lose focus, patience and the discipline of waiting on God’s direction before you make an important decision! The religious inclination to become harsh and unmerciful in your dealings with other people’s immaturity and weakness’! That frustration that your dealing with! That discontentment of soul! That pain in your body! That sorrow in your heart! That unsoundness in your mind! That’s your devil! That’s your devil! That’s YOUR devil! That is the force that Christ, through the power of the Spirit gave you the victory over! Until the DEVIL becomes THAT DEVIL in your mind you can never be free!
You’re not necessarily possessed by that devil but it certainly and unequivocally is the devil you are wrestling with. Too often in the Church when spiritual warfare is mentioned, believers tend to be primarily focused on the aspect of casting spirits out of fully possessed persons. In my experience, this has not been the norm. All aspects of Jesus’ life was spiritual warfare from the preaching of the Good news to dealing with disputes among His disciples. Casting evil spirits out of the possessed was a part of His ministry. Full blown possession is no longer a war within the individual. It is obvious that at the point of utter possession the devil has won the battle subduing the person. That is when an outside party (the calvary) must enter into the battle and subdue that devil on behalf of the possessed party setting them free from the stranglehold of the enemy. But even after a deliverance of this sort, the individual must learn to fight in faith and maintain their ground or the devil will come back with stronger force and recapture the person in a much more vindictive and vicious way.
That devil is trying to subdue you! That devil wants to gain more ground in your life. That devil wants you to give up, bow out, throw in the towel! But There is Authority in the name of Jesus and power in the leadings of the Spirit of God. We are fully furnished to win the battle and maintain our overall victory in Christ.
In the movies Jesus Christ’s temptations are oftentimes glamorized with an image of Satan the tempter conjured up according to the whimsical fancy and flawed logic of the writer/producer’s mind. We forget that it is written that He was tempted the same way we are tempted, and I have never been tempted by an actor in a red suit or a man with a good make up artist and a script. I’ve always been tempted by aggressive and adverse thoughts penetrating my mind attempting to encroach itself upon my will, subdue my reason and subvert my logic driving me in word or deed into the direction of error. Anytime I’ve been tempted to err by the powers of the dragon it was always strong winds blowing and storm clouds rolling in, obstructing the sun light and covering my land with the darkness of deception.
Now no deception that is deception can be seen till after it’s past else it no longer is deception and if it is seen then we can be assured that it is past. Condemnation is the greatest deception. Don’t be duped by the devil into believing that the opinion of God is that somehow we deserve having the enemy squatting unlawfully in our house. Don’t believe that you are stranded in the world with your problem and no one can help you. Don’t believe that evil people are your enemy, they are just victims used by the enemy. Don’t fight them! fight for them! The devil is a liar! But Christ will give you light! He that is in you is greater then that devil and desires for you to see the victory He has given you. The Father has given you all the tools you need to address specifically that demonic force YOU are facing. Look around for the pieces, put that rifle together and fire at that enemy the word of God! It is Written “Resist THAT devil and he will leave you!” Don’t give up hope, no matter how long you’ve been fighting! Keep up the resistance! Keep the Faith! You will win!
Your Servant,
Nathaniel Duffey III
