GOD UTILIZES THE ENEMY – 4
(Thirty plus years ago God put Don Rogers in my life. He trained and mentored me in spiritual ministry. When he was no longer able to minister, I had the privilege taking over his “Spiritual Warfare Ministries”. He had written many articles about spiritual warfare. I have edited and added to his work for this blog.)
In the first 3 blogs in this series we have seen that God uses evil spirits to bring chastisement and judgment on those who disobey God. He also uses them to bring testing and stretching to those who do follow Him. We’ll close this series with 3 more ways God uses evil spirits for His good.
- God uses evil spirits to bring HUMILITY and DEPENDENCE ON GOD
Paul 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul’s own testimony: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Could God be allowing trials and tribulations in your life to cause you to humble yourself and depend on Him more fully? As you pray for others, pray they would respond in submission and trust. Don’t just pray the trials would be removed but pray God would use them for His purpose.
- God uses evil spirits to demonstrate GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
An angel sent to Daniel to bring an answer to his prayer had to fight a demonic prince over Persia. He got the assistance of Michael, the archangel, to get through (Daniel 10:2)
When the army of the King of Aram surrounded Dothan in order to capture Elisha, the prophet, the Lord provided a heavenly army to protect Elisha. When the enemy army came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” They were made blind and Elisha told them they were in the wrong place and led them to Samaria (2 Kings 8)
Look at what you have gone through in life, even what you are facing now. Can you see God’s sovereign hand in it, using it for His glory and your growth? Thank Him for it!
- God uses evil spirits to train His people to use His AUTHORITY and POWER
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)
I (Jerry) have written numerous times about how God gives us His power and authority to have victory in Jesus’ name as we battle Satan’s forces (Luke 9:1; 10:17-19; 1 John 2:14; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-20; Acts 8:7). Read these verses and ask God to help you apply them to your life. If I can help write to me jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
PLEASE NOTE: Satan deceives and defeats us by getting us to believe lies (John 8:44) just like he did with Eve. I’m starting a 5-blog series on LIES CHRISTIANS BELIEVE for my INDIA UPDATE blogs. Since they expose one of the main tools the enemy uses against us I want to offer them to you who read these spiritual warfare blogs. Email me at jerry@schmoyer.net and I’ll put you on the list. Or you can sign up at www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/