Hello Satan Hello Satan Hello Satan

What To Do When The Spirit Of Fear Tugs At Your Heart And Mind.

Because it is so vital in the Christian's armament, I want to share some vital thoughts from Jude 9: "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

First, let's begin by remembering several important Biblical truths. The Lord is our Advocate (Lawyer) who pleads our case to the Father. His Word teaches not even the good angels of Heaven rail against the fallen Satan when they have a dispute with him. Rather, they bring the case to the Father for His rebuke of Satan, who has sole authority over him. Satan makes continuous command appearances before Him for reporting on his actions among His people. When God commands Satan (or rebukes him), Satan has no option but to obey. His required obedience is absolute. Since, as with the angels, we have no power over him, we, too, must not engage him when we have a dispute with him other than refer him to the Lord for His rebuke. This is simply done by, as with the angels' example, "The Lord rebuke thee." (The background for this text was the battle that took place between Michael and Satan upon Moses' death and Michael's burial of him in Deu.34:6, "And he (God) buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day".

Isaiah 50:2 is a significant verse relating to God's rebuke and its power: "Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.". Speaking to His perplexity as to why His children (Israel) would not call upon Him (or be open to listen when He calls), God reminds them of His power to redeem as illustrated in His power to turn back the seas at His rebuke. If He possesses that power over the natural physics of the oceans and their depths, you have to know His rebuke of Satan is but a minor task for Him within the world of the spirits.

Now look at Psalms chapters 76 and 77 to see this power in action within His church (people) and creation (the waters and their depths) and the individual. Notice first 76:1, "In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel". What is the truth here? God is known by all those around with(in) whom He dwells--His people (you). How do they know this? By His demonstrative power in their lives and land. Notice how this power is demonstrated--by His victorious battles for them. Not through their knowledge, power nor might did they obtain security and peace but by His command (rebuke). See also 76:6, "At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.".

Let's look for a minute at our first recorded instance of Satan's interaction with humans in Genesis 3: (verse 1, "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"). Notice his approach. He engages the intellect and uses man's own reasoning against him. It is a mind battle! This has always been his modus operandi--to turn man's own knowledge, reasoning and mind against him. For what purpose? To get him to question to the point of disbelief, and to disbelieve is to negate faith, and with faith negated, one no longer believes what God has already declared on the subject, which is, in essence, to deny His power over the matter. Remember that the Psalmist was engaged in this mind battle and questioned, but, not to the point of disbelief. He overcame by declaring his memory of personal experiences to the contrary, and, because he had those previous personal victories, he knew Satan to be nothing but a liar! Remember here that His Word states unequivocally that God is not the author of confusion, but Satan. How does this confusion manifest itself? By Satan contradicting God's stated word on a matter and leading us to reason it to be so. And how does he accomplish this? By accusing God of failure to aid us in our current engagement with him. This is why it is so critical to simply refer him to the Lord for later rebuke when He does show Himself, and HE WILL, WITHOUT FAIL, AT HIS TIME AND PLACE OF CHOOSING. Therefore, we are instructed to wait upon the Lord. Hence, my encouragement to you: stay out of your mind. You will lose that battle with Satan every time. It is a spiritual battle, one fought within the world of the spirits: Ephesians 6:12, "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". The human mind is not equipped for that conflict.

Ok, now turn to Psalms 77 and see Him engaged with each individual's cause. Do we not see ourselves here, full of questions when it seems our adversaries go unchallenged (vs.7-9)? Common questions and acceptable for all. Notice also the individual's choice of attitude and pursuant actions at the end of his questioning (v.10). Because of his victories in the past, when God did show Himself a strong Advocate and Enemy of his adversaries, though there be no victory yet in the current battle, he will reflect on those of times past and speak of them aloud to others.

An old favorite hymn comes to mind here: "Count your many blessings, name them one by one..." What do you suppose is happening here? First, the heart (and faith) is re strengthened as each victory is relived afresh in the mind, supplanting those thoughts Satan has attempted to embed which troubles the individual and steals their joy from those earlier victorious experiences. Through this process, his hold is weakened and finally broken. Secondly, those relived thoughts and spoken words then begin building a shield around that one, and continues to do so as long as they continue that spirit of mind, giving no room for reentry of those Satan would rather implant.

Now, what are you doing when you are engaged with Satan in a battle of thoughts and cease by simply saying: "The Lord rebuke thee"? You are simply saying: I'm not going to play your games anymore. Goodbye! I will refer you to One who has authority over both you and me since what you're saying is what He has said isn't true. Is it any wonder, then, why he quakes in his boots when he sees one Christian praying. He knows the Christian is telling the Father on him and his lies, and, all hell (pardon the pun) will be to pay!

Finally, consider the lyrics of a hymn penned by William Cowper in 1779, taking from it the refrain, "And Satan trembles, when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees":

What Various Hindrances We Meet

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy seat;
Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there.

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armor bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when through weariness they failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.

Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain;
And fill your fellow creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To Heav'n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft'ner be,
Hear what the Lord has done for me.

So, to the faint of heart, "...Hear what the Lord has done for me..." and say goodbye to Satan.