Satan’s most focused efforts will always be on battle lines drawn around areas of POWER! He wants us distracted by  and bickering over disputable things that DISABLE members of the Body of Christ from being released in power. When we walk in power we are a threat to everything he exists to accomplish against children of God.

The “BAIT & SWITCH”
Let’s start with Satan’s age-old method of distraction from what’s important.

When the movie series “Harry Potter” first came out, I told my kids “will it kill you to just not see the movie, just because all your friends are?” I made this decision simply to keep one more door from cracking open where my kids may be inclined to go overboard with yet one more movie series about fantasy, witches, supernatural powers, etc.

Understand, I am not imposing my limit on anyone else! While I still stand behind my decision, I do NOT in any way judge or condemn those families that did go see it… this is one of those “eat meat…don’t eat meat”  issues that Paul talked about.

However, a larger issue was brewing… At the same moment the church was all up in arms over Harry Potter or whatever was the latest target at the time, the attack on our boys and men was quietly spreading like Black Death through the unprecedented growth of pornography on the internet.

While I believe we need to stand watch over even the smallest of crack in the door where Satan can “Pied Piper” our kids away from God (ie: Harry Potter, Video Gaming, Music choices, etc.), Satan regularly “lights the church on fire and robs the bank” often diverting our attention away his most violent attacks.

AREAS OF ATTACK
Let’s study some areas where Satan is trying to rob us of victory and power, primarily those areas of contention in our lives (at home, work, church) that keep us from walking in power over Satan’s influence.
Below are only a few to get us started…

Areas of attack in Our PERSONAL LIVES:

Our relationship with God
If we do not truly understand our position in the family of God, our kinship to Christ, our empowerment by the Holy Spirit, our authority under God, Satan need not fear us.

Our Purity
Imagine if we were no longer under the weight of guilt and shame of giving in to lust. How threatened would Satan be if we truly understood the grace and healing power of God’s forgiveness and the power available to us to walk in victory over this area of captivity?

Areas of attack in our FAMILIES:

Our relationship with our wives
If we are not walking in harmony with our wives, loving as Christ loved the Church; if we are treating them harshly, our “prayers are hindered (1 Peter 3:7)”

Our children
How threatening is to Satan when we “train up a child in the way that he should go…(Prov.22:6)”

Areas of attack in the CHURCH:
What happens when the members of the body of Christ cease arguing and begin to practice those gifts God gave them to serve the body? Yet, denominations all over the world who belong to the same body of Christ, condemn, judge and reject each other over issues that, when operating properly, release immense POWER in the church -against the kingdom of Satan!

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Why is there so much bickering over whether the “gifts” are for today ?

Tongues / “Prayer Language”
This is possibly the greatest rift between mainline (conservative) denominations and the pentecostal / charismatic movement. Whether we believe tongues are for today or not, it has become a major “church burner”. Those that believe in it condemn those that don’t, vice-versa, on and on… Satan wins because power is neutralized through bickering!

Tithes / Offering
“Only 1/3 – 1/2 of U.S. church members financially support their churches” / “9% of American “born-again” adults tithed in 2004”  (See “Startling Statistics About Christian Giving” by Pastor Ricky Powell)
Hands down, this is one of the biggest causes of weakness in the church today. What would happen if the members of the body of Christ became obedient in giving back to God, what is already His? (2 Cron. 31:2-12, Malachi 3:6-12, Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:2-4)
Read “The Blessed Life” by Robert Morris

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