Grace and Truth
Bible Ministries

Satan attempts to use the details of life to distract us and hinder us in advancing in God's plan for our lives

In our study of Satan's deceptive propaganda in the invisible war we are presently discussing God's instructions that inform us on how we are to deal with Satan's schemes. Last time we saw that the issue for believers isn't simply good versus evil but also human good versus Divine good.

This is why believers are commanded to "Do everything you do "as unto the Lord" 1Cor.10:31; Col. 3:17; If you can't give as unto the Lord, don't give. If you cannot serve as unto the Lord, don't serve because your motivation is wrong.

Another area where Satan influences believers is by deceiving them into getting their "eyes on things" This is where desire for materialistic things causes believers to become off balance.

Some people are never satisfied with what they have and constantly aspire toward bigger and better possessions. There is always something else they think they must have in order to be happy; but when they acquire it, they are still unhappy. Although the stimulation from acquiring it may be good for a day or two, boredom returns when the shine of the new acquisition wears off.

Heb 13:5; tells us to be content with what we have. "Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you and I will never abandon you."

We must clearly understand that there is nothing wrong with being very prosperous and having a lot of materialistic things. In fact the believer who walks by means of the Spirit and understands doctrine has the capacity to enjoy and appreciate many possessions.

Some preachers are critical of those who have wealth and may even imply that there is something wrong with the Christian life of wealthy people but what people have is none of their business and those who judge others because of their wealth are themselves sinning.

Material wealth or lack of it is not the criterion of the Christian life. The Christian life is designed so that whether you have a little or a lot, you can have the same peace and happiness. It is not what you possess or weather you are rich or poor; the danger lies in the mental attitude behind the desire for prosperity.

If you are a have-not and resent those who have, your spiritual life is hindered by your mental attitude sins of jealousy and envy, and you are miserable. If you have things that others don't have and you think you are better then they are because of it they your spiritual life is hindered by your mental attitude sins of pride and conceit.

There is nothing wrong with a Christian as having great wealth provided it is acquired honestly and there is nothing wrong with being poor, unless it is the result of refusal to work.

Weather you are rich or poor an inordinate desire for more will keep you off balance and make you easy prey for Satan.

Getting one's "eyes on people" is another way to succumb to Satan's propaganda and be hindered in the spiritual advance.

"Eyes on people" can be manifested toward those whom you greatly admire or those whom you dislike. Sooner or later, you will run into a person who is totally offensive to you and when you do, you will be tempted to get your eyes on him and react to him because you can't stand to even look at him.

This is why as part of the Royal Family Honor Code we are commanded to have integrity towards those we dislike. Rom 12:14-21;

Some of the worst people you will ever encounter will be Christians who are obnoxious to you because they have an old sin nature just like you do. At the same time some of the nicest people you know will be Christians. The difference is in their choice to function in the spiritual life through their use of the spiritual skills to live it.

But if people are nice and you admire them you have to be careful because everyone has areas of weakness. If you have your eyes on those whom you admire you most likely one day see their "feet of clay" and your unrealistic expectations will be dashed.

If you have Bible Doctrine as stabilizer in your soul this will not happen because you understand that they possess old sin natures, just as we all do, and sooner or later no matter how nice they are they will fail.

Your defense against Satan's objective to cause you to get your eyes on people and become disappointed or disillusioned is to keep your eyes on the Lord who is immutable and therefore has unchanging integrity. Heb 13:8;

When you reach the supergrace life of spiritual maturity, through the use of the spiritual skills including rebound 1John 1:9; The filling of the Holy Spirit Eph 1:18; Faith Rest Isa 26:3-4; Heb 4:1-3; Living in the Word by means of the "Grace Apparatus for Spiritual Perception" Psa 119; and Occupation with Christ Heb 12:2; Christ is in focus and nothing can ever shake you. Isa 28:16;

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Heb 12:2-3;

A lot of "fainting" in the mind occurs because our eyes are on things, self or people. When we are occupied with the details of life and we neglect the priority of the spiritual life then Satan's objective to obscure the Christian's focus through propaganda and deception is achieved.

Satan also uses his propaganda and deception to influence and control people by the fear of death.

Heb 2:14,15; Therefore since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity so that through death he might destroy the one who holds the power of death, that is, the devil; And set free them who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death.

Job 5:21; You will be protected from malicious gossip and will not be afraid of destruction (death) when it comes.

These passages show how God delivers the believer from fear when they believe his Word and provides dying grace. It is unfortunate that many Christians become frightened when they think about death.

Since these people typically also have wild imaginations, they visualize all the frightening or painful ways in which they could die, and this adds to their fears. Somehow they associate physical death with everything that is horrible.

When this occurs Satan has succeeded in hindering them because their focus is on dying and death rather than Jesus Christ who has won victory over death. 1Cor 15:51-57;

God's word instructs us that beyond the grave there is nothing that should frighten the believer because the Bible reveals that every aspect to the eternal state will be wonderful.

Rev 21:4; He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

© Copyright 2007, Michael Lemmon Bible Ministries. World Rights Reserved.  This document was created on 10/14/2012