Eph 6:12
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Despotism is defined as - dominance through threat of punishment and violence.
For whatever the reason we seem not to talk much about the devil. I do not know but perhaps it makes us feel uncomfortable maybe even fearful. But nonetheless, he is very real.
The devil often called Satan, is the ruler of master demonic spirits. And if there are master spirits then there are many many other spirits that carry out the orders of the master spirits.. How many??? probably millions and that is NOT an exaggeration.
Notice the Bible calls these spirits world rulers.....The devils rule is essentially over all the activities, in the world, that come out of three sin roots. While there are many kinds of sin, all sin has its origin from the following three sources.
1.. Through the lust of the flesh
2. Through the lust of the eye
3. Through the pride of life..
These three root sins are the foundation to this present worlds system. Or let me say that this is how the world operates.. And Satan is the GOD of this present age.
John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
All sin no matter how small or large will produce a measure of death in the life of the individual.. It is a spiritual law.. Its called the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
Cor 15:56
Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law
This is the devil's territory. When you are out here you are subject to attack.
Here are just a few examples of behavior being influenced and carried through because of sin.
Lust of the flesh: Fornication, Adultery, Gluttony, Pornography, Homosexuality.
Lust of the eye: Covetousness, Over spending, Greed, Decisions based solely on outward appeal with little regard to anything else.
Pride of Life: Bragging, Controlling someone as a possession, delusions of grandeur, over estimating oneself and underestimating others, racism
Let's this principle home. as we read the following..-----
We find that when Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness these were the three ways Satan attacked our LORD..
Temptation 1 - (Lust of the Flesh)
Luke 4:2
for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
Luke 4:3
And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'"
Temptation 2..( The lust of the eye)
Luke 4:5
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
Luke 4:6
And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Luke 4:7
"Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours."
Luke 4:8
Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
Temptation 3. (The pride of life).
Luke 4:9
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;
Luke 4:10
for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,'
Luke 4:11
and, 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"
Luke 4:12
And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Pay attention to this...after the devil tempted Jesus in these three areas, the devil went away.. He had finished the complete cycle of temptation;
Luke 4:13
And when the devil had ended every [the complete cycle of] temptation, he [temporarily] left Him [that is, stood off from Him] until another more opportune and favorable time.
This is exactly why the Bible says Jesus was tempted in ALL points just as we are yet without sin..., Jesus endured the complete cycle of temptation through the three sin groups --- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life.
Heb 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
You don't think God understands what we are going through..OOOhhhh YES He does.. In fact because He Himself experienced the same temptations we face, He can now interceed for us, represent us and stand before GOD the Father in our stead..as our HIGH Priest.
Heb 2:17
So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people's sins.
The work performed on the cross by Our LORD Christ Jesus.. , As our High Priest, brought justification and righteousness to all us who call on His Name with a pure heart..
God provided the means through the cross to reunite us with GOD and translated us from one kingdom ruled by the devil to another Kingdom ruled by Jesus..
We are no longer apart of this worlds system as long as we remain steadfast in the faith.., clinging to, relying on, and trusting in Jesus.
Col 1:13
[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
No longer under the dominion of this world and no longer subject to and controlled by the kingdom of darkness..
Eph 2:2
In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].
Our relationship with the world and its ways is broken. And because this relationship has forever ended, we now longer are under the influence of sin and therefore, sin shall NOT have dominion over YOU!!! And neither is the devil your task master, his power is annulled and of no consequence.
Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:14
For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].
Satan is powerful make no mistake about that, but a far greater one has come on the scene. That is why the Bible declares, greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world!!!! The devil is defeated!!!!
Luke 11:20
"But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 11:21
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.
Luke 11:22
"But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.
