We Have the Enemy's Playbook

If someone came up to you on the street today and asked you the question, "Who or what would you say is the opposite of God?" what would your answer be?

I think the majority of people, regardless of their spiritual beliefs, would probably give the usual and obvious answer - "The devil!" After all, it's common practice in our culture to put God on one side and Satan on the other when we're talking about good vs. evil and all of that. However...it's a trick question. The devil is not the opposite of God, because God has no opposite!

God has no equal in ANY way, and that includes no equal that is opposing him. As pointed out in the  bible commentary that I was reading the other day, if Satan had an opposite it would likely be an archangel like Michael, but it's definitely not God! If there is one mistake we make when it comes to how we view the enemy, it's in giving him way more power and credit than he deserves.

If we were able to get our hands on the enemy's playbook today, I think most of us would be relatively unimpressed by what we would find there. Why? Because...same old devil, same old tricks. That fallen angel hasn't had an original thought for thousands of years. Rinse, lather, repeat...history repeats itself...nothing new under the sun, and ALL of that.  He doesn't have to be super creative, because he found a method that works and he uses it. Humans haven't really changed all that much, either. Give us a different set a clothes and customs and we're basically still the same people deep down that we have always been. What is the enemy's biggest advantage? He has been to places we haven't been, seen things we've haven't seen, heard things we haven't heard, and he has studied human beings for so long he can practically predict how we will react to just about anything he throws at us.

BUT. He is a fraud.

He is a charlatan.

He is a liar.

He sells snake oil.

And even he doesn't believe in what he's selling. But he has to sell it so hard, because he knows that one day he is going to be called to the mat for all of it and given what he deserves and he doesn't want to go down alone. It's been his way from the very beginning. There was no way he could stand up to God alone, so he first had to recruit 1/3 of the angels to stand behind him in rebellion, and even that didn't work. Jesus said he watched Satan fall from the sky like lightening! Which brings us to our discussion for the day:

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20

Jesus is pretty unimpressed by the enemy, because he saw his fall. He knows who Satan really is, and he knows who the Father is, and there is simply no comparison. Jesus' disciples were astounded by the fact that they had real power over the demons, but Jesus was like..."Uh huh, of course you do. But please believe me when I tell you that your inheritance in heaven is much more significant than your ability to trample on those nitwits." Or something like that.

Unimpressed! 

Satan's days are numbered, and he knows it. The fact that WE know it should mean something to us, too. WHY WHY WHY do we give him so much of our headspace? Why do we give him credit where it's not due? Why do we worry? Why do we look at our circumstances and think they are hopeless? Why do we doubt? Why do we SAY we are followers of Christ and then spend way too much of our time entertaining the enemy in our own hearts and minds? I want you to understand something today: Satan is working hard against you because his clock is ticking, but you ALWAYS posses the power to outlast him. (1 John 4:4)

God has no equal, and greater is he that is in YOU than he that is in the world. Do we really grasp the significance of that? God is in you. He is IN you. If you are a follower of Christ, his spirit literally dwells in you. Satan needed 1/3 of the angels behind his back before he even dared to rebel against the very spirit that dwells inside of you, and he still failed.

So I will ask again: WHY do we give him so much credit??

He is a loser. He has lost. He loses every single day. And someday he is going to lose so spectacularly that even his minions are going to look at him with disgust. Satan isn't even the "boss" of hell, because one day he will be a prisoner there!

In Isaiah 14 we see some pretty strong words spoken against both the natural and supernatural kings of Babylon. What was spoken to the actual king was also meant as allegory for the king of darkness, too.

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit own the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew it's cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?' All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot." Isaiah 14:12-19

Satan fell from heaven, and one day he's going to fall right into the pits of hell, too.

Let's take a minute to consider the famous promise from Jesus "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first." If there were a ruler of earth, he or she would be "first" right now, right? We know that there IS a ruler of earth! God gave the enemy temporary rule over this place, so guess who is going to be DEAD LAST in the end?! 

So when the enemy comes skulking around and your negativity meter starts buzzing, here are some things you should do:

1.) Tell him to go away. You can do that. Quote scripture at him, it makes him flee. :) Tell him to take a hike in the name of Jesus...you have that kind of authority if you are a child of God. If you feel your thoughts are turning super negative and you're feeling hopelessness or despair, recognize where that is coming from and cast him out! It's no fun picking on someone who won't take it. It's no fun to try to lie to someone who already knows the truth. Remember, you can always outlast the enemy! 

2.) Pray for protection. Remember that hedge - pray it around you and your family every day!

3.) Watch what you are speaking! Do not give that son of a gun ammo. He's not God's opposite, he doesn't posses the same kind of power that God does. He might be able to whisper to you thoughts of discouragement, but he can not read your mind! The only way he truly knows what you are thinking or feeling is by your attitude and what comes out of your mouth. He knows when he is getting to you by your actions...so only speak praise and positivity. Battle those thoughts in your mind but do NOT let them come pouring out of your mouth. That includes to yourself or anyone else...I mean, he can hear the conversations you are having, haha. Why do you think it's so important that we love our enemies? That we ALWAYS forgive and ALWAYS turn the other cheek? It honors God through his own example, and it confuses the heck out of the enemy who doesn't understand that kind of selflessness. It sends a clear message that he is powerless over you. He cannot manipulate you like he manipulates the rest of the world. You are different. You are a child of God. 

I hope that you can walk around in fearless hope today knowing that there is NOTHING on this earth that can keep you from the love of God and his power. We have the enemy's playbook, and it's a yawner. Yes, we should be alert, and yes, we should be all prayed up. As long as we live here we have to put up with his shenanigans, unfortunately. But we have flipped to the back of the book and we know who loses in the end. Why anyone would want to follow a loser is beyond me, but that's an entirely different post, haha. For today, it's important that we remember who we are and whose we are. When the enemy comes around (and you'll know it's him if you are alert!) send him away, pray, and zip your lips from all negativity! It'll save you a lot of trouble, believe me!

Here's to being on the winning team...now go out there and ACT like a winner! :) Have a great weekend, all!