September 25, 2024
Know Your Enemy-Where Does He Reside
One of the biggest lies that the enemy uses over and over again on believers and non-believers alike is making us think that he does not exist. If you don’t comprehend the fact that you are up against a powerful adversary and his militant kingdom then you have already lost the battle. They have a goal in mind for the entire human race and that is to kill, steal, and destroy, John 10:10.
We are in a daily spiritual battle and the more that you know about your adversary the more of an advantage you have against his devices. Unfortunately a lot of Christians are ignorant to his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) because of their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) found in the Holy Bible. The Lord is very clear that we are to study to show ourselves approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15) rightly dividing His Truth.
One of the greatest misconceptions that a lot of people have is thinking that the devil is chained in a dungeon in hell. That is very far from the truth and in fact the Word of God gives us many passages of Scripture in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that give us an indication of exactly where the devil and his kingdom reside.
For instance:
1 Peter 5:8 details, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Job 1:7 dictates, “And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Here we can see two different verses of Scripture giving us vital information regarding where the devil is located. The apostle Peter is giving us the same description that is also found in the book of Job. The devil is walking back and forth throughout the entire earth seeking someone that he might devour. If you don’t know this crucial information then you won’t feel the need to remain alert, sober, and vigilant.
This doesn’t just pertain to Satan but it also pertains to his demonic kingdom. Matthew 12:43 reveals, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.” The words “he walketh” being used here is the Greek word “dierchomai” which means: to go, walk, journey, and pass through. It is the same thing that the devil was doing in the book of Job.
Let’s take a look at another passage of Scripture that gives us an idea of where Satan and his kingdom reside. Ephesians 6:12 details, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Here we can see that the Apostle Paul is giving us a description of the devil, the different levels within his kingdom, and where they are located.
The words “heavenly places” being used here is the Greek word “epouranios” which means: heavenly regions, the lower heavens, or the heavens in the clouds. We know through Scripture that there is more than one heaven, Genesis 1:1 describes, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Paul is revealing to us that one of those heavens is occupied by the devil and his demons.
Let’s take a closer look at the passage of Scripture out of the book of Job so that we can gain more of an understanding of where Satan resides.
Job 1:7
“And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
One thing that we can determine from this passage of Scripture is that the devil is not locked up in hell somewhere. In fact, he is very real and is walking around the earth looking to create chaos in our lives. Another thing that we need to understand is that Satan was in the presence of the Lord when this conversation was going on.
Job 1:6 details, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Two key pieces of information are provided to us within this verse of Scripture: Satan still has access to God in heaven and he has to get permission from the Lord to do anything. He is held accountable for his actions.
I have an article called: Know Your Enemy-He is the Accuser of the Brethren and it will break down how the devil accuses us day and night before the Lord. The way that he is able to gain access into our lives is when we break the Lord’s Biblical Law. What that does is allows him to wreak havoc legally. That is why it is so important to know the enemy that you are facing, know his devices, and most importantly know God’s Word.
The devil also has his kingdom established in the heavenly realm where we know through Scripture that battles take place. One example of one of these battles is found in the book of Daniel.
Daniel 10:12-13 reveals some vital information and it states, “Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”
Daniel was on a 21 day fast praying for an answer to a question that he had regarding the children of Israel. The devil did not want Daniel to receive this information so he had the prince of Persia (demonic principality) withstand God’s angel from delivering an answer to his prayer. The reason that we know this is because Daniel had an angelic visit from an angel of the Lord revealing to him this detailed information.
The angel stated, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days” This gives us a clear indication that there was a spiritual battle going on in the heavenly realm. That is why it is so important that we continue to press through regardless of whether or not our prayers are answered right away. We cannot see the opposition taking place in the spiritual realm that is preventing us from receiving an immediate breakthrough.
Let’s take a closer look at the the words “prince of” being used here, it is the Hebrew word “śar” which means: patron or angel. So when we break down what is going on we can conclude that God’s angel was fighting against the prince angel over the region of Persia. This angel was so strong that not only did he withhold God’s angel for 21 days, but he needed help from Michael (one of the chief princes).
We need to understand that the battle in the heavenly realm is so real and there are things going on that we will never fully comprehend. However, understanding where the enemy and his kingdom are stationed will allow us to know how to come against the devil’s devices.
Conclusion
One of the greatest misconceptions that the devil uses on both believers and non-believers alike is making us think that he is locked up in a pit somewhere in hell. That is so far from the truth. We can see where the enemy resides through passages of Scripture in the Bible.
We know that he walks to and from the earth and that he also has his kingdom in the heavenly realms. His sole mission is to make sure that he can develop strongholds in our lives making it difficult to progress in the Kingdom of God. He is like a roaring lion searching for someone he can consume, make sure that you are not living your life in a way that will make it easy for him to gain access to you and yours.
Also, don’t forget to check out my other blogs:
Know Your Enemy-He is an Imitator
Know Your Enemy-He Devises Evil by Law
Know Your Enemy-an Angel of Light
Know Your Enemy-the Accuser of the Brethren
Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Fight Back
Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Feed Your Spirit
Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Renouncing
Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Confess and Repent
Recognizing Spiritual Strongholds
What are Spiritual Strongholds?
The Spiritual Laws of God-Poverty Part 1
The Spiritual Laws of God-Poverty Part 2
The Spiritual Laws of God-Restoration
The Spiritual Laws of God-The General Principles
The Spiritual Laws of God-The Power of Your Tongue!
The Spiritual Laws of God-Having an Understanding
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Below are some books that I have personally read that I recommend to help you get set free from the enemy and his devices. Each one provides you with warfare practices that you can apply to your daily life. Just click on the Link below the book and it will lead you straight to it. You will not be disappointed!
If you’ve missed any of the other weekly quotes, no worries I am listing them down below:
Positive Quote or the Week: The Lord will Fight Your Battles
Positive Quote for the Week: Not everybody is for You
Positive Quote for the Week: A Light in Darkness
Positive Quote for the Week: Know the Holy Spirit
Positive Quote for the Week: Put on the Garment of Praise
Positive Quote for the Week: Make Every Day Count
Positive Quote for the Week: Praise Through Your Tribulation
Positive Quote for the Week: Truly Love Yourself
Positive Quote for the Week: Let God Fight Your Battle for You