8 "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]” -1 Peter 5:8-9 AMP
The devil has been and always will (until Jesus' return) on the hunt for people he can use. Looking for willing vessels to use to steal, kill, and destroy. As Christians satan will use people and/or things to disrupt or walk with Christ, and his ultimate goal is to influence us to deny Christ.
In Mark 9:14-29, Mark gives us an account on a time Jesus casted out a demon out of a young boy. In vs. 25 Jesus commands the demon to come out of the young boy, and after one more fit the demon came out. You may ask, "well why didn't Jesus deal with the young boy?" Well, because Jesus knew who He was really dealing with. He wasn't dealing with the young boy, but with the demonic spirit working inside of him. As Christians we need to realize that when people come up against us, it's not them, but it's satan influenceing them.
During the month of October the world celebrates halloween. A time when people dress up and pretend to be someone for one night. Well satan is the same way, he disguises himself behind people. He will use strangers, friends, co-workers, and even family to distract us or influence us to deny Christ. Our faith is what satan is really after, he HATES that we have decided to follow Christ. However, sometimes we don't realize that we are not dealing with a mean person, or deceiving person, but it is satan working through them. That is why we are always supposed to be on guard with the armor of God for the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11). When we realize that we are not dealing with people, but with the evil spirit influencing them we can defeat the enemy before the battle begins.
This week I was tested in this very lesson. I was faced with a situation, where a person did not like that I stood for righteousness. So they did something that they thought would diminish my character and upset me. BUT greater is He (Jesus) that is in me, the he (satan) that is in the world (1 John 4:4). In that moment with this person I was able to "see" (in the spirit) who I was really dealing with. The enemy. So instead of being upset and disrespectful, I smiled and prayed silently. While praying silently the Holy Spirit reminded me of Romans 12:19b, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." I was able to leave the situation with peace, because I know that the battle is already won. However if I didn't know who I was dealing with, I would have given the enemy all the power, but HA HA satan I'm on guard and protected with the armor of God.
So the next time you are faced with someone or a situation ask yourself.....who am I REALLY dealing with?
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