For many years now, there has been an increase in the oppression of Satan, which still continues today. This opposition and onslaught has been experienced by many, affecting all facets of life, including spiritual, physical, financial, and mental. This is a result, among other things, of the Church of Jesus Christ’s complacent attitude. Despite what the Bible says, many Christians have relied on their emotions to cast their votes and make important life-changing and nation-changing decisions. Others have gotten complacent and have just floated through life, not realizing that there is a war going on in the spirit that we must fight. Due to pressure from the world system, some church leaders have proclaimed that the Bible doesn’t actually mean what it says. I don’t say this to attack anyone, but to bring a clear understanding of what is going on.
Despite what the Bible says, there is a good portion of Christians (40%) who say that the devil does not exist. They think he is just a symbol of evil. That doesn’t agree with the Bible. According to several different studies, the majority of Christians do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a real, living being (58% – 62%), just a symbol of God’s power. And there have been several studies that show a good portion of Christians (22% – 44%) believe that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on the earth, just like everyone else. These are startling statistics. I wouldn’t have thought these numbers were so high, would you?
So why do people believe like they do? How did the church get to this point? A Christian’s beliefs are formed by the preaching and teaching of the Bible by ministers. If the minister isn’t preaching on these things, people aren’t going to believe. If ministers aren’t showing from the Word of God what the truth is, people will believe a lie. One of the problems is that the church has gotten caught up in being image conscious, becoming a social club, caught up in the world and trying to be like the world, rather than being Bible and God conscious and doing what He says.
This is a result of a desperate attempt by church leaders to attract crowds instead of preaching the truths of God’s Word. That brings in people who could care less about the Lord Jesus or the Bible unless He lets them do what they want, regardless of what the Bible says. They’re more concerned about the social club and their sin than serving God! To attract these crowds, the church has compromised what they believe and teach and changed its beliefs in the Word of God to accommodate this audience. The sad truth is that we have arrived at the mentality of “Come as you are, and leave as you came.”
This mentality and this compromise have left the church powerless. The attitude of “playing church” has left us ill-equipped to deal with the attacks of the enemy, even though we have the authority!
Despite what some in the church believe, Satan is real, and we have been given authority over him. He is a defeated foe. Just like everything else in the Christian life, we have something to do. Our job is to enforce his defeat. The Word of God plainly tells us that Satan was defeated and stripped of his authority over the Christian.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19)
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” (Mark 16:17)
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:17-19)
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Despite what some Christians may believe, there is nowhere in the New Testament where the Christian is told to pray for Our Father God or the Lord Jesus Christ to make the devil leave us alone. No, the Christian is always told to do something. We’re always told to bind the devil in the name and blood of Jesus Christ.
By looking at the statistics above, you can see why Satan is winning. If you don’t believe that the devil exists, then you won’t do anything about him. You won’t take authority over him. I encourage you to study the Word of God and act upon it, and the devil will leave you as he did Jesus in Matthew chapter four.
The Lord has used me many times to set people free from demonic powers and has given me much, Biblically balanced, revelation about this Bible subject. I encourage you to take your authority over the devil as you pray for your life and ministry, as well as for the nation.
For more on this, see the Free Downloads section of the RGM website or the RGM Store.
> FREE DOWNLOAD: Standing Against The Plans Of The Enemy
> FREE DOWNLOAD: Showdown With The Devil
> FREE DOWNLOAD: How To Stop The Devil From Hindering You
