When was the last time you faced our adversary? By our adversary of course I mean Satan, but not Satan in particular, for although I could be wrong, I doubt that any reading this have been accosted by him in person. By this terminology in at least this letter to you, I mean any of his emissaries, the other fallen angels.
Demons have certain regional areas they are responsible for, we know this from the Prince of Persia incident mentioned in the Book of Daniel, (10:13) I also believe that there are particular demons who excel in certain areas above their fellows, lust, envy, pride, every conceivable offense against the Most High, and a demon, or more, well versed in each of these respects. I draw attention to these matters today, for I believe that far too many believe that they are being attacked by demonic forces, when in fact it is no more than their own residual fallen nature surfacing at these times. We place far too much blame on his work when indeed we are the ones at fault.
Of course there are incidences where we are attacked, but I do not believe that the adversary bothers in the least with the majority of believers, for most are not as profitable to the kingdom as they might like to think. Why expend any energy, so to speak, on a believer who thinks that attending church fulfils his or her obligation to the Lord, or one who rarely if ever opens their Bible to read it much less seriously contemplate the Scriptures, there is no need to whisper in the ear of these individuals, or otherwise seek the permission of the Lord to attack this brother or sister, for they are not profitable to the kingdom of heaven.
I personally believe that much attention by them is given to the newly converted, anything and everything to make their feet slip, to keep their eyes off the prize that is Christ, lest they become adamant, and serve Him with fervent intent. Not only these though, those who have set their face like a flint, who have determined to follow Christ no matter where He leads, these are attacked in any and every way possible, for these are pulling out of the grasp of their leader those that have been his servants for many years.
Satan does not and never will rule in hell, eternal punishment is his end as well, but his main goal still remains the same, to hinder as much as possible every attempt of the Lord, to keep all that he can away from the cross, from even entertaining debate of the matter in their own mind, and to discourage as often as he is allowed the efforts of all those who would serve Christ faithfully. His weapons are many, and he is an expert with every one of them, without the protection of the Holy Spirit, we would all fail miserably.
Have you ever given any real thought as to why the Holy Spirit is named the comforter? (John 14:26) The comforter from what, personal afflictions only, there to daily remind us of the hope that lays in store for us, the down payment (Eph. 1:14) if you will, of the promises that have been given to all who have placed their faith and life in Jesus Christ. He is not only our comforter, but our guide, He it is that lets those who will submit to Him understand when we are being attacked by demonic forces, and when it is our own sinful nature trying to get us to return to the mud once we have been washed from. (2 Peter 2:22)
If you cannot discern His voice, not only will you fail in every attempt to be profitable for the kingdom, but you will stay in that mire, never truly admitting to yourself that it is not the adversary who is to blame for your fall, but that in fact it is always on you. When he attacks, we have the armor of God, (Eph. 6:10-18) and the entire manual, the Holy Bible, that came with that armor. When we fall of our own accord, which in fact is most of the time, we have an intercessor with the Father, (1 Tim. 2:5) always willing to forgive all if we will just ask.
Know the difference, stop blaming Satan and his demonic horde every time you fall, he is the tempter of men, (1 Thess. 3:5) but even if it is him who attacks, we are still the responsible party, we should be able to tell the difference, but even when you cannot, you must realize that it is always our own fault when we fall. Be as Job when the Lord said, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3) In this integrity you will find favor in the eyes of the Lord.
