The Enemy Plays Chess & Checkers! -Part II

So let's go back to Part I, as long as we are ignorant of who we are in the kingdom, lack knowledge, and have a lukewarm relationship with God ( lack of consistent prayer, fasting & habitual sin ) we are no threat! the enemy attacks without prejudice and when we are out of the alignement of God it can make us an easier target.

Remember, you don’t attack what is not a threat. There is simply no need to !

But remember, God is always present, able to save (remember - babies and fools ) despite our shortcomings and mistakes; you are not ever truly abandoned!

That is the gospel, the Good News- think on how long we all have been playing with the devil's stuff, had near-death experiences, should not even be here because of the trials we have gone through and the fiery attacks the enemy has launched at us. SO, hope is not lost .

So how does the enemy play the long game with the believer and non-believer, because whether you take up your sword and fight in the spirit of the Holy Ghost and the name of Jesus, the enemy is still fighting you.

Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.

Imagine an unseen force just beating you down all day, every day – just putting hands and feet on you and your loved ones nonstop! Guns, knives, fire, you name it. In the natural realm, if someone did that to you, what would you do?

If someone laid a hand on your child, your wife /husband, or family who ever is close to you! Shoot, I know people will fight you for even talking crazy to their child or someone they love. You would FIGHT ! So why do we treat the enemy's attacks any differently because you think they're invisible or you think you can't see them, so it is not considered a threat?

But guess what.......You can see them !! You just may not have yet connected the circumstances in your life with what is happening in the spiritual realm!

So, What Are the Strategies Used by the Enemy?

1.     Lack of Knowledge - He knows that many of us are distracted by this life and do not spend enough time studying the word of God or in prayer with the Holy Spirit. Consistent study of the word is needed to obtain the knowledge needed to understand his strategy and begin to fight to destroy those generational strongholds over yourself and your family, thus keeping you and the future generations in bondage! 

Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

2.     Fear - He knows you are afraid of him, his demons, and retaliation from his kingdom, so you won't even think about taking up the authority God has given you. The minute we have a real-life experience with a demon, the attacks become too intense and go on for too long - we run and flee.

 Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

3.     Passivity -He knows many believers are passive – Just trying to live their best life, they ain't got time for all that spiritual stuff, that’s going too deep, just leave the enemy alone and he’ll leave you alone! They don’t truly believe in the spirit realm and will put off truly walking upright with the Lord until they get older and are facing sickness or death.

Proverbs 6:9 - “How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?”

4.     Habitual Sin- The believer may have a strong relationship with Christ, they know the Lord and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, but they struggle with their flesh and habitual sin in their life that they know is wrong. Thus, keeping the door open for the enemy to attack your life until you are worn down, get fed up, and walk away from God completely.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Most of us struggle and suffer entirely too long at our own hands and at the hands of the enemy. I think about how many years I wasted being afraid, passive, rebellious, and just plain ignorant, and sometimes a small voice will speak that if only I had done this or done that differently!

But as soon as that voice begins to speak, I realize it is the voice of guilt, condemnation, and the accuser of the brethren, and I immediately silence the enemy! Don't focus on yesterday and what you could have done differently, start today with brand new mercies and start studying your opponent, the way he is studying YOU !!!

There is no need for us as heirs in Christ to run, to fear, or to avoid a fight that you have already WON!!!!! A fight Jesus won at Calvary when he shed his blood!

Victory was automatically given to us, the children of God!

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.

Revelation 20:10- And the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”