Hell's Greatest Disadvantage

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Our Perception of Hell

Hell is at a disadvantage.

When I say “hell”, we have the understanding that Satan and demons are not currently in hell, or are coming from hell, but that is, of course, their destination. But “hell” is often used to refer to Satan and all his homies, if you will.

Glorified on Earth

I find that there is a strange interest and admiration for the things of darkness.

Prime example: Ouija Boards

I’ll never forget when Sis. LaRue and I walked into a department store once and upon walking through the entrance, we were immediately met with a large table with multiple levels that was entirely covered in ouija merchandise, arriving right around the time that a movie called Ouija was playing and watched around the nation.

People (particularly young people) are fascinated with the prospect of interacting with the dead in some fashion. “What is just beyond the curtain of the spiritual realm?” “What is it that can be seen?”

Can I tell you that it matters just who it is you have that is pulling that curtain open for you!

They think that they are speaking to people who are passed on, but in reality they are entertaining evil spirits unknown. And they wish to gain some sort of knowledge or wisdom, when the Bible says...

James 1:5 NIV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

God is the only One who can give true wisdom, direction, and guidance! As a matter of fact, if you’ll commit your life to Him, you’ll find that He has things to say about not only your future, but your past, present, and everything in between!

If you’re looking for fulfilment, I KNOW THE FULFILLER!!!

But it’s not just ouija boards that people are drawn to - it’s anything involving demons, possession, or hell. It’s a fascination in our world.

(Sometimes) Feared in the Church

I have several times been shocked at how often saints will draw back in the presence of evil.

It’s not that these things don’t have ability to drag someone into darkness. We do need to understand what they are capable of. But a spirit-filled person should not be overwhelmed with fear about these things.

The Reality

The reality is that these entities and their master are far less significant or powerful than we, as humanity, give them credit for.

I wot to God that for every book or film that is produced about evil that is glorified, that someone could get a vision of what Satan’s body language looks like when He is all of sudden met with the presence of Almighty God!!!

Yes, it is their business to drag souls down with them. Yes, they can get hooks into people who open themselves up to them. Our text said:

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

But there are only two reasons that they are allowed to exist: to be defeated, and to show the contrast of how wonderful our God is!

Every time someone is delivered from such things, and the Holy Ghost enters in… the contrast is shown!!!

Here’s a good picture of their body language for you:

James 2:19 NKJV

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Hell understands that the almighty power is not divided - He is ONE, and all the power is stacked against them!

Hell’s Greatest Disadvantage

7 Truths About a Liar

Satan is not omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, nor eternal.

Satan exercises his forces by way of a hierarchical, geographical, and militaristic strategy.

Satan aggressively seeks to trap individual Christians.

Satan is more skilled at deception than any other created being.

Satan, like a fool, plays into God’s plan all the time.

Satan will be thrown into hell in the end.

Satan is resistible.

Hell’s Greatest Disadvantage

I’m giving you the facts and talking about this because I believe that it is crucial in this moment…

There are so many things that we could point to today and say, “There’s one more way that he’s at a disadvantage!”

But when it comes to Satan, in relation to you and I (The Church), I have found that there is ONE THING that puts hell at the greatest disadvantage. And you might have totally missed it after all that I have said already...

It’s not that they are missing a more competent leader. It’s not that they don’t have a better gameplan. It’s not just that they are too weak, or that their numbers are never going to match up to God’s church...

Hell’s greatest disadvantage is that it doesn’t have the Holy Ghost!

Hell cannot:

Have holy discernment

Act or speak in the Spirit

Have the Spirit of Jesus living in them

What’s living in me CANNOT live in them!

Satan is a liar and the truth is not in him, but he’s also destined for destruction and the Spirit is not in him!

Our Greatest Advantage

But don’t miss this: Hell’s greatest disadvantage is also our greatest advantage!

And OUR greatest advantage is when we DO have the Holy Ghost!

Let’s go back to our text and read carefully…

Ephesians 6:10–20 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I’m here to remind somebody of just how powerful the Holy Ghost is!

The Spirit works through us in our weaknesses and in prayer…

Romans 8:26 NKJV

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Let me remind you of this: it was by the power of the Spirit that our savior was born:

Luke 1:35 NKJV

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

And then, after He died, He was raised up in the Spirit…

But check this out…

POWERFUL SCRIPTURE:

Romans 8:11 NKJV

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

It’s like putting a battery into a bright flashlight!

Much of Christianity is "bound up". Afraid to speak. Afraid to worship. Afraid to shout. Afraid to get too deep. Afraid to let the Word stand alone.

But once the Holy Ghost comes upon us, it is placed there to be exercised! We are then released to operate in it, as long as we are full of it.

Day of Pentecost - it came down, then they were released to act. The "book of Acts".

Do not be bound up! Do not be stopped up in your relationship with God. You must be released upon your world!

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We receive power -> that we can be a witness!

Acts 4:31 NKJV

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Conclusion

We need the boldness of the Holy Ghost to be released in our lives!!!

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