Truth or Lies ?
 

THE SOUL 

A relentless spiritual war rages within the core of your being, your SOUL—your intellect, volition, and emotions.  This internal battlefield determines your daily choices:  a life governed by the Holy Spirit or one ensnared by sin's allure.  Those bound to their sinful nature are driven by its insatiable cravings; conversely, those walking in the Spirit are guided by its divine promptings.  A mind enslaved by sin is a path to spiritual death, while a Spirit-led mind cultivates life and serenity.  Such a sinful mind, antagonistic to God, defies and remains incapable of submitting to His righteous law. (Romans 8:5-7)  Satan, a master of deception, disguises himself as an angel of light, a cunning strategy we must recognize to effectively counter his machinations. (2 Corinthians 11:14)  Unlike many today, we must possess acute awareness of the adversary's tactics; ignorance provides him a strategic advantage. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Surrendering to demonic temptations, instead of actively resisting them as Scripture commands, invites demonic inroads into your life. (2 Corinthians 10:5) We must demolish deceptive thoughts and arrogant pretensions that defy God's truth, subjugating every inclination to Christ's unwavering authority.  The Bible unequivocally states that persistent sin originates from the devil, whose demonic influence began at creation's dawn.  The very purpose of Christ's incarnation was to dismantle the devil's destructive reign. (1 John 3:8)

Taking Ground from Satan. Spiritual warfare is the battle for truth.

Truth emanates from God (John 14:6), while falsehood originates with Satan, the progenitor of deception (John 8:44).  Jesus Christ, the cornerstone, erects His Church and celestial realm upon the unshakeable foundation of veracity (Matthew 16:13-19).  Salvation dawns for humanity through embracing and adhering to truth (John 8:32; 1 Timothy 2:4).  Obedience to truth ushers individuals into God's embrace; conversely, its rejection subjugates them to Satan's dominion (Colossians 1:13).  Satan's citadels rise upon the treacherous sands of deceit (Genesis 3:1-6; John 8:44; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 10:5).  Thus, where truth thrives and guides lives, Christ's kingdom flourishes; where falsehood reigns, Satan's strongholds fester.  Victory in the spiritual conflict hinges on abandoning Satan's insidious fabrications and wholeheartedly embracing God's unwavering truths.  The ultimate objective of spiritual warfare is the dismantling of Satan's fortifications, replacing them with the incorruptible pillars of God's Word, thereby dislodging the devil's insidious lies (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Satan's Strongholds

Several prevalent bastions of resistance are identified below; however, numerous other entrenched positions undoubtedly exist.
Habits, Addictions to Drugs, Alcohol, Debt, Root Sins, Ignorance,False Religions,Idolatry,Cults, Abortion, Pornography/Lust, Adultery/Fornication,Stubbornness,Witchcraft/Occult Practices,Homosexuality,Racism, Fear, Abuse,Divorce,Violence, Laziness, Crime,Greed, Competitiveness,Independence.

Preparing for Spiritual Warfare

Cultivate a profound connection with God:  Embrace your spiritual rebirth, acknowledging the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  Honestly confront and renounce all transgressions (1 John 1:8-10), utilizing Galatians 5:19-21 as a guide to identify and overcome ingrained, destructive behaviors.  Actively pursue liberation from the insidious grip of root sins—fear (Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7), the corrosive bitterness that festers within (Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15), the arrogant pride that blinds and isolates (Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 14:12-17), the insatiable lust that enslaves (Matthew 5:28; Galatians 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:6), and the avarice that devours the soul (1 Timothy 6:10).

Be under proper spiritual authority:

Scripture mandates obedience to parents, employers, governing bodies, and spiritual leaders (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:22; Matthew 22:15-22; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 18:17-18; Ephesians 4:11-13).  Fidelity to commitments demands the repayment of all debts and generous giving (Romans 13:8; 1 Corinthians 16:2).  Furthermore,  making amends for past wrongs is essential (Exodus 22:1-3; Luke 19:1-10).  Spiritual discipline includes practices such as fasting (Daniel 10:3; Matthew 4:1-2) and donning the spiritual armor of God, a shield against adversity
(Ephesians 6:10-20).

Satan's insidious tactics are multifaceted.  He is a master manipulator, a deceiver, wreaking havoc and vengeance upon God's faithful (Genesis 3:1, 13; Psalm 8:2). He is an architect of destruction, relentlessly assaulting righteousness (Isaiah 54:16).  This malevolent entity tempts, murders, and lies—the epitome of wickedness (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; John 8:44).  He is the embodiment of evil, the ruler of this temporal realm, masquerading as an angel of light to mislead the unwary (Matthew 6:13; John 17:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:14). His dominion extends as the prince of the power of the air, the ancient serpent, constantly accusing God's children (Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 12:7-9, 10).

The Attacks of Satan:

The human psyche, a battlefield of spiritual forces, is susceptible to malevolent influences stemming from several profound sources.  Occult entanglements, as explicitly condemned in scripture, weave insidious webs of darkness (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Acts 8:9).  Generational iniquities, inherited from forefathers and clinging like tenacious shadows (Exodus 20:5-6), inflict deep wounds.  The weight of ancestral transgressions casts a long, ominous pall (Genesis 12:3; 27:12; Deuteronomy 11:26; Proverbs 26:2; Daniel 9:11; Malachi 3:9; Luke 6:28; Acts 23:12). Moreover, personal and collective wickedness, manifesting in actions ranging from individual failings to societal depravity (Genesis 4; 1 Samuel 21), pollutes the soul.  Finally, a corrupt mentality, willingly embracing ungodly philosophies, lays a foundation for spiritual vulnerability (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; James 1:14).  The convergence of these potent factors creates a fertile ground for spiritual affliction.

Satan's Kingdom and Army Ephesians 6:12

1. **The Adversary:** (John 12:31-32)  Lucifer, the disgraced celestial being, the archenemy of humanity, relentlessly strives to corrupt and ensnare.

2. **Malevolent Celestial Forces:** (Revelation 12)  A legion of wicked spirits, fiercely arrayed against God's faithful, wage an unseen war, subtly undermining righteousness.

3. **Territorial Demons:** (Daniel 10:13)  These entities reign over specific geographical domains, exerting insidious control over cities and nations, shaping their destinies with malevolent influence.

4. **Oppressive Entities:** (Matthew 8:28-34)  These demonic forces cruelly shackle individuals, inflicting spiritual bondage and physical afflictions, binding them in chains of sin and suffering.

5. **Masters of Earthly Darkness:** (2 Thessalonians 2:7-11)  These insidious powers manipulate global trends, wielding influence over governments, institutions, and cultural narratives to propagate Satan's deceptions and actively suppress God's truth.  Their dominion extends across the spectrum of human experience, from finance to entertainment, corrupting societal structures and hearts.

6. **The Satanic System:** (2 Corinthians 4:4)  This is not merely the physical world, but the overarching network of systems—economic, political, educational—all ensnared by the Adversary's web of deceit and oppression, serving as instruments of his wicked agenda.