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She was teaching me that there is a dierence between "can" and "may." One asks ability; the other asks permission. This verse says he "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." For Satan to function, we must give him permission to do his work. The Lure of False Doctrines Even Christians can fall into the trap of giving the enemy permission. First Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." The entire letter of 1 Timothy was written from the Apostle Paul to a pastor about Christians. He said believers would "depart from the faith." Paul wasn't talking about believers who gave mental ascent to faith, but rather those who actively walk with God. He said some of those walk with God. He said some of those walk with God. He said some of Christians would depart. He didn't say they would be thrown out; he said they would simply decide to depart. Why would anyone do that? Because they gave attention to, or gave heed to, the seduction of demonic doctrines that are contrary to the Word of God. Those doctrines are still around today. In fact, they're very popular with modernist preachers who are more concerned with collecting people than preaching the Word of God. They're the ones teaching that there's no healing, no hell and no Judgment Day. That may sound appealing to the world, but Jesus didn't teach that. Jesus taught just the opposite, and if Jesus said something dierent, then we need to follow Him. The Enemy, Not People We can't plow through life like there's no spiritual opposition just because we're now Christians. That's ridiculous. We don't have to look any further than social media to find it! A lot of people spend time engaging in or repelling anti-social media. Why? Why spend time fighting slanderous lies that can't be substantiated? The people posting them are just people. The real enemies are the demonic forces that are using them like pawns and puppets. Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin, who is now in heaven, used to say to pastors, "Stop dealing so much with people and start dealing with the demons that deal with your people." He was right. If we focus on the people instead of the demons, we'll never get rid of the problem. However, if we deal with the demons and stop them in their tracks, the demons will release the people. Then the people can start growing in God. It's like weeding a garden. If we get rid of the weeds (the demons), then the produce (the people) can thrive and bear fruit. But if we don't, the demons will return. We have authority, and the weapons at our disposal are not natural. Second Corinthians 10 describes them this way: "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (verses 4-5). Physical weapons don't work in a spiritual battle. Darkness, with its filth, is moving across the world at a rapid pace. We must counteract it by pushing back with boldness and presenting the truth and the light like Jesus commissioned us to do. Are You a Double Agent? We can't be double agents either. We have to use our mouths to honor God, not the devil. Again, one of the easiest places to slip into the double agent role is on social media. What will you put on Facebook ™ or YouTube › today? Does what you post honor God or the enemy? Can the devil count on you to stir up strife even though you are a born-again, Spirit-filled believer? Doing so is like having one foot in heaven and one foot in the world. That's the reality of a double agent. The enemy wants us to get depressed, mad and sad with people, so we'll be ineective or ignorant of his schemes. He would love to see us stirring up strife, gossiping and slandering each other. But we don't war against flesh and blood! We're in a spiritual battle. We're supernatural commanders. Instead, we must remain vigilant. We must recognize who our real enemy is, reject false doctrines and attack him, not those under his control. When we do, we must use the spiritual weapons that are at our disposal. We can never forget that we are supernatural, well-equipped, spiritual soldiers of the Cross, and praise God, we win! Mark Barclay is the founding pastor of Living Word International Church, in Midland, Mich., and president and founder of Supernatural Ministries Training Institute. For information or ministry materials go to marktbarclay.com. TM i Watch Watch Mark on B V O V : 1 1 .com GOVICTORYApp You Tube ® 4th Generation ®

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