DEMON
POSSESSION #8
VACANCY
FOR SPIRITS :
Protection From The Evil
-pinterest.com’s image of soldier
This image is also in “Tis Greek To Me” section for “METHODS” https://www.biblestudylessons.net/Comics/Greek%20to%20me/method.html
The Bible speaks of our bodies being our earthly houses. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1)..
REVIEW: Zechariah 13:1,2 predicts the removal of both prophets and unclean spirits from the land; i.e., according to the Greek version LXX, της γῆG1093, geo) the earth. This would explain why the Bible is silent on the church expelling unclean spirits from people at the end of the miraculous period of the first century. This is why the Scriptures of the prophetic apostles warn us of the devil (the LORD of the demons) rather as a lion is seeking to devour us by VARIOUS METHODS of enticement to encumber us [iii] by our making evil choices.
WATCH AND PRAY. Rather than being scared of unseen ghosts, our behavior should be as Jesus admonished His apostles in the Garden to “watch and pray.” We are to be alert as soldiers of Christ. “You, therefore, endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3, AFV).
Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” This text specifies the various equipment of arms that God has given to US to be used in our war with the Devil.
Ephesians chapter 2 assures us that we either have the spirit of the Devil or the Spirit of God influencing us to do evil or good. Ephesians 2:2,3 (BBE), “In which you were living in the past, after the ways of this present world, doing the pleasure of the lord of the power of the air, the spirit who is now working in those who go against the purpose of God; Among whom we all at one time were living in the pleasures of our flesh, giving way to the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and the punishment of God was waiting for us even as for the rest.”
POWER OF THE PRINCE OF DEMONS (Matthew12:24) STILL EXISTS. Peter declares, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour ” (1 Peter 5:8). The only methods of the Demon Prince associated with the figure of the lion since the first century then would be the “demon-influencing spirit” described in the epistle of Ephesians and Peter. Of course, diseases and earthly tragedies are another subject that has always occurred in all the Bible because of the world being in sin which is explained in the book of Job.
But God’s answer given for our protection from “demon-influencing” of the devil is dealt with in our text in Ephesians with the emphasis on defending ourselves from Satan's methods; i.e., "his wiles" and "lying in wait".
The Ephesian Christians had been in disobedience to God just like the rest of the world. They had been doing the devil’s pleasure, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh. This is said to be “the spirit who worked in them.” They had been condemned like the rest of the world. What about us? This is why the apostle emphasized to the Roman Christians the importance of the Spirit of God dwelling and leading us! “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
The Ephesians text assures us that we have a choice in whom we serve. The people of the Lord “are” to be like children in humility. Jesus had said, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). However, the apostle Paul condemns those characteristics of children such as being easily influenced by others and led astray. Ephesians 4:14, BBE, “So that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the deceits of error.”
Therefore, the Holy Spirit exhorts us to put on the “grown-up” firmness of the Holy Spirit which become the maturity of spiritual life. We are assured that the devil’s spirit employs methods that are called in the KJV “wiles” and “lying in wait.”
TWO PROTECTIVE DEVICES. Lest they entered into temptation Jesus had exhorted His apostles to “[1] Watch ye and [2] pray, lest ye enter into temptation [Thayer: “trial”]. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). This happened in the Garden the night of His betrayal. In just a little while, the apostles were tested beyond their expectations. Confused, Peter even began attacking the authorities with a sword before he was stopped by Jesus.
watch. In Ephesians, the solution given to us is “watch”; this is to be alert in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Be ready to battle the devil’s trials and temptations. Be strong in the Lord's cause and rely on the Lord’s help in keeping His promises. “Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food” (1 Peter 5:8, BBE).
This requires putting on the complete spiritual armor, both offensive and defensive, as a soldier of Jesus. Be ready to defend yourself at all times. A saying is, “Don’t fall asleep at the wheel.”[iv] When I think of that saying, I’m reminded about the apostles falling asleep in the Garden instead of preparing with Jesus for what was coming.
God provides us with means of protection from the devices of the devil with the Scriptures, i.e., His Word through the Holy Spirit’s apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5). Notice that God’s “armor” consists of Scriptural knowledge. The ready answer to “watch” is “book, chapter, and verse.” I have heard that saying all my life. However, the validity of that is in what it references, i.e., the teaching itself.
1. Girt our loins about with TRUTH. Truth is referring to the Scriptures. “Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17). The analogy of the girding is to the soldier’s clothing preparation. He would not be caught with his clothing hindering his movements. The devil is constantly using falsehood and lies to lure you into bad choices. This includes false religious teachings.
2. Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Our source for righteousness is revealed in the New Testament Scriptures. Before the validation of the New Testament God wanted the Jews to prepare for the Kingdom by being baptized by John’s baptism. Jesus told John (in Matthew 3:15) to obey his baptism was required to “fulfil righteousness” (before the NT). Paul was speaking of the MESSAGE revealed by the Holy Spirit through the apostles and NT prophets after Pentecost. Isaiah 59:17 uses the same figure. I Thessalonians 5:8 uses “breastplate of faith and love”; “faith” is in the sense of fidelity.
3. Shod with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE. The gospel (good news of Jesus) is revealed in the New Testament Scriptures. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for therein is revealed the righteousness of God (Romans 1:16,17).
4. Use the SHIELD OF THE FAITH. Ephesians 6:16 A FAITHFUL VERSION translation: “Besides all these, take up the shield of the faith , with which you will have the power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one ”; notice the definite article; “τηςG3588 πιστεωςG4102”; this means that the shield is the belief, i.e.,“the faith” of Jude 3 that was delivered.
5. Take the HELMET OF SALVATION. I Thessalonians 5:8 uses the same idea, i.e., “for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” We are justified by our receiving (taking) the Holy Spirit’s plan of salvation delivered on the day of Pentecost. The word “take the helmet” is the same verb translated as the deliberate “received” in Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized.”
6. Take the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. This is emphasized to be the Word of God, the rhema, specifically that which has been revealed. Compare with the logos Word of Hebrews 4:12.
All these terms, TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, the GOSPEL OF PEACE, the SHIELD OF THE FAITH, the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT refer to the Holy Scriptures, particularly the New Testament of Jesus Christ.
pray. Add to these (the listed 6), “praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (in accordance with the message of the Spirit), we must watch along with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. As Jesus taught His apostles, pray “Lead us not into trials but deliver us from the evil.”
application.
This Second Part, access to the gift of the Holy Spirit is wearing the equipment of His inspired Word (Acts 2:38, 41) which counteracts the influence of the spirit of the Devil that seeks to affect people of this world.
For the etymology and Greek definition of “method”:
Μεθοδεία G3180 methodeia meth-od-i'-ah
Go to: https://www.BibleStudyLessons.net/Comics/Greek to me/method.html
Thanks to Janie Ward and Mary L. West for editing.
-- Gaylon West
Checked by: Janie R. Ward; Mary L. West
