Prince of Darkness

THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS

 

Halloween paints a very entertaining, comical, lighthearted picture of evil and Satan. Even the most darkest of images and decorations and costumes seem cute, funny or harmless.   And yet, we cannot ignore or set aside the darkness of evil and the darkness of our world.  Political corruption, moral decay, terrorism, murder, hatred, porn, lust, drugs, adultery, wickedness, and the list goes on.  We are a “world at War” and many are afraid and try cover its reality with a mask of humor and lighthearted fun.  We must BE AWARE of the Prince of Darkness.

 

Be Aware of his REALITY.   

 

Quote - CS Lewis quotes, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The danger with spiritual warfare is either to OVEREMPHASIZE it or UNDEREMPHASIZE it. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states

“The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” A blindness not only to the glory of God but a blindness to the spiritual reality of the war that wages for their life. Barna Research states: “Almost half of all born again Christians believe that Satan is just a symbol of evil.”Everyone would agree that there is “evil” in the world, but very few will give it a body. Keith Green sings from the devil’s perspective in one of his songs “Well, I’m gaining power by the hour, they’re falling by the score, you know, it’s getting very easy now, since no one believes in me anymore.

 

Be aware of his PURPOSE.

 

John 10:10 says the enemy comes to “steal, kill and destroy”.  He wants to take you out and lessen God’s glory, because that’s what you were created for, God’s glory.  You are a highly valued target to the prince of darkness . 

He wants to steal from you.  Have you ever felt like you just can’t enjoy life? Or you just can’t find that peace? Or you feel unloved, unwanted? or there seems to be no vision for your life? It’s like overtime something gets planted in your spirit, something comes and takes it away - that’s the devil…HE STEALS your joy, your peace, your love… Its stealing because he’s taking what belongs to you.

He wants to Kill you.   Just like a wolf pack, Satan is strategic, coordinated, and relentless in his pursuit to deceive and destroy. There is no mercy in Satan’s purpose.   Biblically we understand that Satan can cause sickness, use natural results from the Fall to cause sickness and suffering, and he will use temptation to get people to fall into sin, which results in sickness, that God may use to punish them for their sin. 

He wants to Destroy you. Countless Marriages are destroyed because of adultery.  Countless Businesses destroyed because of greed and deception Our nation is on the verge of destruction because of political corruption rooted in self-preservation, power and control. Ministers and Churches that have been destroyed from the inside out because of sexual sin, selfish greed and lack of integrity. Satan exists to distract, deceive and determine your future. But God’s vision of your future is much different than Satan’s vision of your future.

 

Be aware of his SCOPE.

 

This is not a disorganized army. (Ephesians 6:12) We are dealing with a host of wickedness, an army of wickedness with ground troops and generals so to speak.  Ephesians 6 says there are “principalities” and ruling spirits which I believe are assigned to specific nations and cities.  There are “powers” which are able to influence the thoughts and feelings of human beings.  There are “rulers of darkness” that are mandated by the devil to promote false religions and occult practices, enslaving the souls of men in deception.  There are “spiritual hosts of wickedness” in the heavenly realm responsible for such things as accidents, pre-mature death, suicides, delayed blessings, unseen obstacles, hindrances to progress and advancements. They are very injurious and destructive in nature.

 

Be aware of hIs POWER.

 

The Story of Job shows that Satan has the power to instigate murderous terrorist attacks (Job 1:13-15, 17);  to send lightning to hit specific targets (Job 1:16);  to send a tornado force wind on a particular house (Job 1:18-19); and,  to strike a man with painful boils all over his body (Job 2:7). He could have killed Job if God had so permitted (Job 2:6).

 

You don’t want to mess with this powerful enemy or underestimate his strength!  He has the power to perform signs and wonders(2 Thess. 2:9) , to tempt you (2 Cor. 11:3), to accuse you (Rev. 12:10) and to hinder you (1 Thess. 2:17-18).    God reveals this power for a purpose - be armed, be ready, be prepared - you don’t mess with this on your own strength.

 

Jesus even prayed - protect them from the EVIL ONE…he knew that there was power in the Evil One and protection from the Father was necessary. This power always results in EVIL.  Evil it’s inevitable - in your life you will face an evil day, a moment that is so unfair, so completely horrific, so terrible beyond description, that you could not imagine this ever happening to you…never in a million years would I have thought this.  Evil is not the question mark…but where will you stand? from a place of defeat or a place of victory?

 

For Last, be aware of his OUTCOME.

 

He LOSES!

“The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) “Christ took on human nature that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”  (Heb. 2:14) “God disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” (Col.2:15

 

The Enemy is defeated and so we fight not FOR VICTORY but FROM VICTORY!

 

• What the enemy uses for harm - God uses for Good…Psalm 21:11
• No weapon formed against us…- Isaiah 54:17
• Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world! - 1 John 4:4

 

So let me conclude by giving you a strategy to overcome the prince of darkness.  Remind yourself there is no neutral ground.

 

1. BE SMART against your enemy:

   - Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

 

2. BE DEVOTED to the Love of God:

   - Deuteronomy 6:5 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

 

3. Be STRONG in Christ:

   - Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

 

4. Be FILLED with the Spirit:

   - Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

 

5. Be ACTIVE in Christian witness and service:

   - Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

 

6. Be QUICK to put right your wrong relationships:

   - Matthew 5:23-24 - "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

 

7. Be TOTALLY armed:

   - Ephesians 6:13 - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

 

8. Be CONSTANT in prayer:

   - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

 

9. Be LOUD in the Victory Shout:

   - Psalm 20:5 - "May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”

 

10. BE ROOTED in the Word of God:

   - Colossians 2:6-7 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."