1. To be an agent of TESTING (Job 1 & 2; Luke 22:31-32)
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Satan was permitted to destroy Job’s family, wealth and afflict him physically.
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Satan was permitted to sift Peter when Jesus was captured.
2. To be an agent of CHASTISEMENT (Isaiah 5 – The Parable of the Vineyard)
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When the vineyard did not produce good fruit, its protection from the enemy was taken away so it could be trampled on. The rain was taken away to stifle its growth.
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When Christians do not produce fruit, we will be more vulnerable to the enemy and the blessings will decrease.
3. To be an agent of JUDGMENT (Judges 9 and 1 Kings 22)
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God used an evil spirit to bring judgment on Abimelech and the men of Schechem.
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God used a lying spirit to lead king Ahab to his death.
4. To be a Humbling agent (2 Cor. 12:7-10) Paul’s testimony:
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“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.”
5. To demonstrate GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY – (Daniel 10; 2 Kings 6)
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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.
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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.
6. To train God’s people to use His AUTHORITY and POWER (1 Peter 5:8-9; Luke 10:19)
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“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.”
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“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you.”