Resist the Enemy

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

Revelation 2:19

“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

Revelation 2:20

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:21

And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Revelation 2:22

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 2:23

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:24

Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.

Revelation 2:25

But hold fast what you have till I come.

Revelation 2:26

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

Revelation 2:27

‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;

Revelation 2:28

and I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 2:29

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

He tells them that they are doing some things great!

And that they’re getting better (their last works are more than the first)

But I have a few things against you. You’re not resisting the enemy!

You’re allowing this! You’re allowing the enemy to influence you!

I want to talk to you about resisting the enemy!

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1. Can Christians be influenced by demonic spirits?

If you drank a large amount of alcohol

You would be under their influence even though you are a Christian

And you might do something totally out of character for you (drunk)

In the same way, if a man starts looking at pornography

And the more he opens that door, the more the thief will come in

Matthew 16:23

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Satan is not omnipresent. Demons carry out his work

Leviticus 17:7

“‘“They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons”’”

Deuteronomy 32:17

“They sacrificed to demons, not to God”

Psalm 106:37

They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons

Mark 1:39

And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Mark 3:14

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,

Mark 3:15

and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

Some say that no demons were cast out in Acts, so it doesn’t apply anymore

Acts 16:16

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us

Acts 16:18

Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Some say that there aren’t any demons today

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons

Jack Hayford says, “You can’t cast out the flesh and

You can’t disciple a demon!”

A missionary friend of mine went to language school

Some missionaries didn’t believe in demons and didn’t cast them out

You don’t cast demons out?” “No.” “So you leave them in!”

2. What are some signs that I’m being attacked?

The Christians at Thyatira were being influenced by a Jezebel spirit

Many theologians don’t believe this woman’s name is Jezebel

It would be very unusual for a Jewish mother to name her daughter Jezebel

There is a possibility she is a Gentile convert Ethbaal, King of Tyre and Sidon)

Most believe Jesus is speaking of a demonic spirit working through someone

There are 2 Jezebels mentioned in the Bible (Daughter of Ethbaal)

Elijah fought a Jezebel spirit Elijah called down fire from heaven

And then killed 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah!

Fear

1 Kings 19:1

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword.

1 Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

1 Kings 19:3

And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life

He had just called down fire from heaven!

Why didn’t he march right up to the castle?

Depression

1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

When you have suicidal thoughts, you’re under attack!

Fatigue

1 Kings 19:5

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”

1 Kings 19:6

Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.

When you’re under attack, you need to take naps and eat cake!

That’s what the Bible says! Eat cake! Angel Food Cake!

Sickness

Revelation 2:22

“‘“Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”’”

Unusual and frequent sicknesses

Immorality

Revelation 2:20

“‘“Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”’”

Greater sexual temptation

Insecurity

Many are still dealing with father wounds. Don’t feel shame about that.

1 Samuel 20:30 (NLT)

Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!”

Rehearsing your speech

1 Kings 19:9

And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:10

So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

1 Kings 19:13

So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:14

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

3. What do I do if I’m under attack?

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:6

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourself because it will take humility to do the most important thing

Repent! Change your mind in the area you’re under attack

Remember I said you can see grace in all these letters?

Revelation 2:21

“‘“And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Revelation 2:22

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”’”

Mark 5:1

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.

Mark 5:2

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Mark 5:3

who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,

Mark 5:4

because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.

Mark 5:5

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Mark 5:9

Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”

Strong’s concordance defines a legion of soldiers as 6,826 men

This guy was in bondage and had a Legion of demons

This guy was naked and living in a cemetery

Mark 5:6

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.

“He ran” Satan cannot stop you from coming to Jesus!

If he could have stopped anyone, it would have been this guy!

“He worshiped Him” Proskuneo: To prostrate oneself; to kiss the feet

He humbled himself!

The only people I know that can’t get free are

The ones that won’t humble themselves!

God gives more grace to the humble!

Almost 20 years ago, I got my feelings hurt. It was my fault!

I told myself I had forgiven him, but I was rehearsing my speech

About 2am, God said to me, “Forgive him!”

And I said, ‘I don’t know how to forgive him”

And the Lord said, “Forgive him the way I forgave you!”

I would like to lead you in a prayer and pray for you

If you feel you’re under attack in an area tight now, please stand

This is an act of humbling yourself

Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Related Media

Related Sermons