- We need not fear the devil, for he can only operate his evil schemes within a man who desires it. It is said that "by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved" and thus, we must submit to God and resist the devil. However, it is important to understand that resisting the devil does not mean eradicating him completely. Rather, it is a continuous effort to overcome his temptations and stay on the path of righteousness. As we resist the devil, we must also seek guidance and strength from God, for only with His help can we truly conquer evil. Therefore, let us not fear the devil, but instead, let us trust in God and His infinite wisdom and love to guide us in our daily lives.
- The act of giving in to temptation can have significant consequences. Once we give in, it is as if we have opened a door, allowing the Devil to enter and take over. As the Bible says in Romans 6:16, "…to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey…you are his servants of the one you obey." This means that by succumbing to temptation, we are essentially becoming servants of the Devil, and allowing him to control our actions and thoughts. It is important to be mindful of this fact and to resist temptation whenever possible, in order to maintain control over our own lives and avoid falling into the trap of the Devil's influence.
- Devils are cast out of a man, whenever that person so decides to evict such thoughts from his thinking – but this requires an active will to remove the offensive, destructive stumbling block to Christian liberty, joy and righteousness… Removing such thoughts is not an easy task, but it is necessary to maintain a healthy and positive mindset. One should constantly be on the lookout for negative and harmful thoughts that can weigh them down and remove them promptly. This will allow for a sense of freedom and empowerment, as well as a closer relationship with God. Therefore, it is important to cultivate a strong will and to actively work towards a peaceful and positive mindset, free from the influence of destructive thoughts.
- Discover that even the most difficult and bitter experiences can be transformed into a source of light for the Church in its ongoing battle against sin and Satan. Those who have been in the enemy's camp and have heard all of his secrets become a powerful force against evil upon their emergence into freedom. However, this newfound knowledge of the foe often causes them to be attacked with even greater intensity by the forces of darkness. Nonetheless, these individuals can serve as a beacon of hope and strength for others who are still struggling in the midst of spiritual warfare.
- The concept of humiliation in the presence of God is central across all traditions. It involves not only acknowledging one's own imperfections and limitations, but also surrendering one's will and desires to a higher power. This process of aligning oneself with God's word and agreeing with it can be seen as a kind of spiritual discipline, requiring patience, commitment, and humility. Through this process, individuals can deepen their connection to the divine and gain a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Ultimately, the practice of humility can lead to a more profound understanding of oneself and one's place in the world.
- As believers, our primary calling is to the Word of God. We are called to seek out and understand what it says, and then to put it into practice in our daily lives. This contest can be challenging, as the Scriptures are often complex and require careful study and reflection. However, it is a contest that we must engage in if we want to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. In our pursuit of the Word, we must be willing to put aside every weight that might distract us or hinder our progress. This combat is both external and internal; we must resist the temptations of the world and the flesh, as well as the doubts and fears that arise within us. But as we press on in our journey, we can take heart in the promise that God is with us every step of the way, guiding us and strengthening us as we seek to follow Him.
- The devils are known for their main mode of operation which is deception. They often come under the guise of righteousness, truth, and the hope of salvation, but when their true nature is unveiled and exposed, they are seen as nothing more than a hoax, a phony, and a counterfeit of what is pure and true. Instead of promoting true love and genuine religion, they offer a substitute that leads to idolatry and false friendship with the world. This twisted form of deceit can be seen in many aspects of life, from politics to personal relationships, and it is up to each individual to be vigilant and discerning in order to avoid falling prey to the devil's tricks.
- Demonic infestation of the soul is a concept that has been the subject of much discussion and debate among religious scholars and experts. This concept refers to the idea that an individual's soul can become possessed or inhabited by a demonic entity or spirit, which can then manipulate and terrorise God's people. This manipulation can take many forms, including using one believer to destroy another or causing divisions within a religious community. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for one revival to censure and condemn the next immediate move of God, leading to further confusion and discord among believers. As such, it is important for individuals to be aware of the potential for demonic infestation and manipulation, and to seek out guidance and support from trusted religious leaders and experts.
- Whenever we agree to and put our trust in some fact or circumstance or argument that is not true, we are essentially giving ground to the enemy. It is important to remember that this can happen whenever we believe in a lie, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem. This is why it is crucial to always question what we are told and to seek the truth for ourselves, rather than blindly accepting what others tell us. By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of believing in falsehoods and giving ground to those who seek to deceive us. In other words, we must remain vigilant and always strive to separate fact from fiction, truth from lies, in order to ensure that we do not inadvertently aid our adversaries by believing in things that are not true.
- Satan, the prince of darkness, is always seeking ways to gain control over individuals. He often uses stratagem, or in Bible terms, 'wiles,' to achieve his aim. It is worth noting that Satan knows that he cannot get a believer to deliberately allow him to enter and control evil spirits. However, he may try to gain access through the gate when it is unwittingly open. It is important to note that what seems so innocent, charming, exotic, and harmless may actually become a foothold for the enemy. Therefore, Christians must be diligent and watchful, guarding their hearts and minds against the enemy's attacks. They should be aware of the devil's schemes and tactics, and be ready to resist them at all times. Indeed, the Bible admonishes believers to put on the full armour of God, so that they can stand firm against the devil's schemes. This armour includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Armed with this spiritual armour, believers can resist the devil and emerge victorious in every battle.
- According to John 13:2 (Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the upper room), there are three types of sin- sin without spirit possession, sin which opens the door to possession, and sin which is unmistakably the result of Satanic possession. While all three types of sin may have different consequences, it is important to note that they all have negative impacts on an individual's spiritual health. Sin without spirit possession may lead to a sense of emptiness or disconnection from one's faith, while sin that opens the door to possession can lead to a weakened spiritual state that makes it easier for negative influences to take hold. Finally, sin that results from Satanic possession can have even more severe consequences, not only on the individual but also on those around them. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of one's actions and strive to live a life free of sin in all its forms.
Selected Quotes from Chapter 5 :
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9da334b7-e3b1-4275-b0a9-9b2437191c59/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9da334b7-e3b1-4275-b0a9-9b2437191c59/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “There must be more than one quantity to make a mixture; at least two…Satan is a ‘mixer.’ If in anything he finds 99 per cent pure, he tries to insert one percent of his poisonous stream, and this grows, if undetected, until the proportions are reversed...”
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<img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9a59c07e-8112-4e84-9398-a686e0b5f700/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/9a59c07e-8112-4e84-9398-a686e0b5f700/IMAGE_2022-12-06_185208.jpg" width="40px" /> “Almost without exception, in every land where revival has since broken forth, within a very brief period of time the counterfeit stream has mingled with the true; and almost without exception, true and false have been accepted together, because of the workers being ignorant of the possibility of concurrent streams…”
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