Yesterday we talked briefly about the invisible God and how many reject Him because they can’t see, touch or taste the goodness of God and His word. The reality is most reject what is in plain view before them because all you have to do is look at God’s creation, but many are blinded to its glory. As Paul said, Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” You also have people who say they believe in God, even though He is invisible, but they do not believe all of His word. They believe only the parts that they can accept, usually minus the supernatural or that fit with their doctrines and theology and leave out the rest or it is greatly distorted. The distorted part usually entails the supernatural like signs, wonders, miracles, healing and casting out demons. Some completely reject the supernatural, thus the church is manmade and is easier to expalin. Others accept the supernatural but don’t test the spirits and do not discern the presence of satan as we see in charismatic circles.    

    I grew up in the church, but the supernatural was only talked about from a negative viewpoint. I continued that thinking in the early days of my ministry. I still talk about the falseness of the charismatic teaching but for different reasons. I came to understand that both non-charismatic and charismatic are wrong because they both have departed from God’s word. Having said that I believe the word of God to be true and the supernatural power and authority the church is supposed to have for all who believe. This rejection, although it had already been happening, of the supernatural was a reaction to what was happening in charismatic circles. You would even see in a church’s / denomination’s handbook or manual, statements such as we don’t believe as they do. But what you did not see was what the bible actually said, and you did not see any attempt to return to what the bible said. In their rejection of the charismatic they also rejected God’s word. Later this would include false revivals such as the Toronto Blessing and Brownsville. This also included non-charismatic events like the Asbury revival that tends to happen on a regular basis, but nothing is revived. Later we will talk about signs, wonders, miracles, healing and demons cast out, but today we are going to focus on satan, the invisible killer.

    Another topic that was not talked about was satan and demons. It was made clear that satan had no power and that he was definitely not present in the church. This is dated but a comedian named Flip Wilson had a line that said, “the devil made me do it.” So the demonic was joked about but not taken seriously. Not taking satan’s power serious was a major mistake in the church and has led to millions being deceived because most did not understand the power of their enemy. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Many do not make the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament and miss that fact that God turns His face from His people when they rebel against Him. When God turns His face, the enemy is victorious. Many will read a verse like Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This leads them to believe they are invincible and not prone to the attack of satan. They also miss the part about the power that would be given to them. In order for the enemy not to stand against you, you must believe in the right Jesus and obey the right gospel but that is not happening in the church. Therefore we are not standing against our enemies. Joshua was told Joshua 1:5 “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” For that to happen, God then says, 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Jesus said Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Most do not make the connection that disobedience and rebellion leads to defeat.

    We are told 1 John 3:8 “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” Revelation 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Acts 26:17 “I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” Just as Jesus was victorious, the church was empowered to be victorious over our enemies but rebellion against God changes everything as we see in the Old Testament. We were warned this would happen and should not be a surprise that satan has infiltrated the church. Daniel 9:27 “And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Daniel 8:11 “It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” I was told that satan can’t be in the church but scripture states otherwise. We were warned that the abomination that causes desolation would be so severe that only a few would survive the onslaught. Jesus talked about the abomination then said, Matthew 24:22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive.   

    In the Old Testament, when the enemy attacked, you could see them from the wall you were hiding behind. The Assyrians and Babylonians destroyed everything in their path and in the end, there were just a few survivors. Like God, our enemy is invisible. Paul said Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” So our enemy is invisible and as we read above is at work in the church. While the enemy is invisible, there are many who have chosen to listen to and follow the deception of satan and are used for his purposes, but our true enemy is unseen.   

    Yesterday we talked about wind and electricity not being seen but there are others. There are also two invisible killers called carbon monoxide and radon gas. “When victims inhale CO, the toxic gas enters the bloodstream and replaces the oxygen molecules found on the critical blood component - hemoglobin, depriving the heart and brain of the oxygen necessary to function.” “CO poisoning is a significant public health concern in Canada responsible for an estimated 300 deaths and 200 hospitalizations each year.” “Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless. When radon is released from the ground into the outdoor air, it is diluted and is not a concern. However, in enclosed spaces, like homes, it can sometimes accumulate to high levels, which can be a risk to the health of you and your family.” “Health Canada estimates that 16% of lung cancer cases among Canadians may be caused by radon.”

    satan and demons may be invisible, but they are still present. Yes, Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead and is alive today but so are our enemies. This was not a one and done event as many have been led to believe. Yes, satan was defeated on the cross but he is still here. At Pentecost we now had the power and authority to do as Jesus did and that meant we would carry on destroying the work of the devil. Many I believe were misinformed about what happened at the cross. I think they think that satan was defeated and powerless, demons gone, at least they act like it. This made the church very prone to deception as they were unaware of the power the enemy had nor did they see the deception that was taking place. Scripture makes it clear that demons disappearing and the work of the devil being destroyed completely is not true. Paul was told people would be released Acts 26:18 “from the power of satan to God.” Acts 5:16 “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” Acts 8:7 “For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” We also saw that when (Luke 8) Jesus healed the man with many demons, Jesus did not send them into the Abyss, but into a herd of pigs. The pigs then went into the lake and downed. That means all those demons are still here.

    Because the church has rebelled against God’s word, God has allowed satan to have incredible power, more so than the Assyrians and the Babylonians had against Israel and Judah and for a much longer time. If people today had their eyes open, myself included, as to the power of the enemy that has decimated the church, all of us would return to God in a hurry but we cannot see how severe it actually is. What we do have is scripture and we have a clear picture of the desolation if Israel and Judah. Having said that, Israel and Judah did not return, so many in the church will not return either, therefore rejecting eternal life. They will say it is not that bad because I can’t see anything, but satan is an invisible killer. Many in the church have taught and been taught that a loving God would not allow such devastation to happen to His people and many have believed that simply because they really do not know who God is or who satan is, nor do they know their bibles. The Old Testament shows us the destruction God will allow. Job gives us a clear picture of God and satan. Job 1:6 “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to satan, “Where have you come from?” satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Then everything Job had was gone (not his wife whom satan would use) except God had said Job 1:12 “on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then everything Job had was gone including his children. Then again Job 2:3 “the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” 4 “Skin for skin!” satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 6 The Lord said to satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”   

    God used the Assyrians and the Babylon’s to carry out His wrath on His people. Isaiah 10:12 “When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.” This attack by satan, the abomination that causes desolation, is so severe there would have been no survivors if God had not kept His promise to David so that a remnant would survive. satan, though invisible, is very real and very powerful and very present in the church, As Paul said, “he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” This means satan and demons are behind pulpits, missions, revivals, songs, higher education, bible studies, books, study bibles, online learning, gurus; satan is everywhere in the church. This means the church as Paul said is following many different Jesus’ and other gospels.

    The good news is satan is arrogant and will tell you he is present. Sometimes his presence is so obvious it is hard to believe anyone would fall for it, but millions have. Other times you really have to listen carefully to see satan’s presence. Sometimes satan gets straight to the point and says, “did God really say that?” and other times he will distort scripture. His purpose as it was with Job was to get God’s people to turn from God and curse Him. Job did not but his wife, friends sure made it hard, but they did not listen to Job. His wife even said to him, Job 2:9 “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” but Job said Job 2:10 “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” It is not clear whether Job’s children listened to him either. We are told that Job 1:5 “When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.” His wife would live, but his children would not. Even so with all that he lost, Job refused to curse God and die.

    We are told to test the spirits. 1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Because satan has infiltrated the church, we must test everything. Other than being told to test, here is a good reason why we test spirits. When the prophet Micaiah was talking to King Ahab, he said 1 Kings 22:19 “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’” Those deceiving spirits are still present. Not only is there deception in the church, there is delusion brought on by God. Many will not accept that God will delude His people because they believe man’s word over God’s word. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” The church is filled with deception and delusion. That explains why so many people have fallen for false teaching and doctrines of demons. Delusion also explains the crazy things people believe.

    There is potential danger in every home for carbon monoxide and radon poisoning, but it can be prevented. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, have a carbon monoxide detector, don’t idle your car in the garage, check appliances. Radon can also be tested and leaks can be fixed. “The good news is that once a house is tested, lowering the radon levels is fairly easy.” The average radon mitigation process, usually done by a contractor, will cost between $1500 - $3000.” You can even buy a monitor so it is possible to prevent these invisible killers from killing or from getting sick. The numbers of deaths of these two invisible killers don’t even compare to the deaths caused by satan, the invisible killer.

    Testing the spirits is done by focusing on God’s word and not taking our eyes off of Jesus. If you think you are just going to listen to a voice, that can be dangerous because satan will whisper in your ear, especially if you don’t know your bible. Prophets would say this is what the Sovereign Lord says but false prophets do the same. Ezekiel 22:28 “Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.”  We need to know the difference. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 2:12 “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. 16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, 17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. 18 Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. 19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.” As Joshua was told Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” If you take your eyes off of Jesus, satan will gladly show you a different way. 2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”

satan will appear to copy what God is doing and many will be deceived, even though God said Matthew 24:4 “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” If there is a true prophet, there will be a false prophet, true teacher and there will be a false teacher. I find it interesting that many believe in false prophets and speak out against them, but they do not believe in true prophets of God even though God said Ephesians 4:11 “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” You can usually see satan’s presence because in his efforts to copy, he makes a mockery of God. For example, in charismatic circles people began to fall to the floor on the backs and then say the Holy Spirit had come upon them. To test that we look to scripture and we see that people bowed before God with their face to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6 “Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” When you look into the “carpet time” as some call it, this is not the presence of God but satan, as this is what animals do in sexual submission.

    As I said, take the time to read the Gospels and Acts and then compare what you know to be church with what you just read. Many will say surely the presence of the Lord / Holy Spirit is in this place but there is no healing or casting out demons. One church called Bethel Redding in California said God’s presence was so strong that there was gold dust in the air and glory clouds. There may have been, but it was not the presence of God as that doesn’t line up with scripture. What does line up is the deception of satan. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie.” There are even churches who say all the nonsense that is happening like babbling out of control, laughing like a hyena, drunk in the spirit and flopping around on the floor like a salmon out of water is God. If you think back to Jesus sending the demons in the pigs, the man that he healed was now in his right mind. Luke 8:35 “When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.”Because the church has rebelled against God, God has allowed satan to decimate the church and millions have died because of this invisible killer.

    Because the church has turned away from God’s word, most are unaware that the work of the devil is happening in the church they attend or their own lives. Sunday after Sunday people think they are worshipping God, but it is satan that is present because God has turned His face away from the church. Some will agree on this and say those charismatics are possessed but satan is present in both charismatic and non-charismatic circles. satan is just as present in a Baptist church as he is in a Pentecostal church. Take the time to test the spirits as your eternal destination depends on it.