The Spirit World
The Spirit was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Seven

Satan’s Demonic Influence on The Unsaved

 

"...the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (EZ. 2:2)

The Bible clearly separates the methods of Satan's activity into two groups:

[1]. As opposing God, to defeat his will

(a). The original rebellion against the will of God (Isa. 14:13,14; 2 Thess. 2:4).

(b). Hatred of Christ. (Gen. 4:8; Matt. 2:16; 4:1-11; Luke 22:3,31; Rev. 16:13-16)

(c). Whether Satan now believes he may yet succeed in spite of the Cross and the demonstrated superior power of God is not made known in-the Scriptures. Evidence of his activity seems to indicate that while he knows his defeat has been announced, he may yet be successful.

[2]. As suppressing man, to hinder his welfare.
(a). As to the saved and the Church
(b). As to the sinner and the world
 

I. SATAN AND THE WORLD OF THE UNSAVED:

Satan has no controversy with the unregenerate world; they are all under his control (John 8:44). However, he uses many appeals to them in his control:

[1]. To the intellectual and cultured he appeals through mysteries (2 Cor. 11:14) - -

[2]. To the ignorant, he appeals to the senses through wonders and superstitions (2 Cor. 10:3-5; 2 Thess. 2:9).

[3]. To the "religious", he promotes all systems of religion, and his cleverest trick is good works and morality as a means to salvation (2 Tim. 3:5; Rev. 2:9; 3:9).

[4]. To divert men from inquiring about his true character. (Acts 26:17,18)

[5]. To hide the true Gospel from men. (2 Cor. 4:4)

[6]. To turn men from Christ. (1 Tim. 4:1,2)

A. Satan deceives unsaved to worship him (II Cor. 10:20). Satan desires to be worshiped (Matt. 4:8,9) and achieves this in turning men from God (Deut. 32:16,17; Lev. 17:7; 2 Chron. 11:15; Rev. 9:20).

[1]. Idolatry in all of its senseless ceremony - gratified senses, unloosed passions, deluded consciences - are means to end as Satan worship.

B. Satan controls and oppresses unsaved (Acts 10:38) -

[1]. with temptation (Gen. 3:1-7; Matt. 4:3; John 13:27; Acts 5:3)

Four major sins of Satan:

(a). Lying (John 8:44; Gen. 3:1-4; Acts 5:3)
(b). Murder (John 8:44)
(c). Malice (Rev. 12:9,10; 2 Peter 2:11)
(d). Pride (Isa. 14:12-14; James 3:15; 1 Tim. 3:6)

With these four sins impelling them, demons delight in leading unwary souls into following after them. (2 Cor. 2:11)

[2]. With sickness, disease (Luke 13:11,16; Luke 9:42)
[3]. With injury to the body (Matt. 12:43-45; Mark 5:12)
[4]. With deranging both body and mind (Mark 1:23-27; 5:1-20)
[5]. With demon possession (Matt.10:8; Luke 9:1)

C. God uses demons with unsaved -

[1]. Punishes Ahab with "lying spirit" (1 Kings 22:23)

[2]. Demons lure God-resisting armies to Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16)

 

II. SATAN AND THE "BLACK ARTS":

In Deut. 18:10-14 Moses warns against the "black arts" of Satan:

[1]. Eight forms of demonology listed (vs. 10,11)

[2]. They are abominations to God (vs. 12)

[3]. Uncompromising separation from such is demanded of God's people (vs. 13, 14)

These eight forms of demonology are used on the unsaved, and are so interwove with each other, it is difficult to draw definite lines.

These eight:

[1]."Useth divination'' - a diviner, soothsayer or fortune teller. A foretelling of future events, or discovering things secret or obscure by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means.
[2]. "Observer of times" - (Gal. 4:9-10) - as in "augury" (the art or practice of foretelling events by the flight or chattering of bird An omen; prognostication (Isa. 47:13).
[3]. "Enchanter" - a sorcerer or magician; one who has spirits or demon at his command.
[4]. "Witch"' - a woman who by compact with the devil, practices sorcery enchantment.
[5]. "Charmer" - one who delights and attracts the affections.
[6]. "Consulter with familiar spirits" - one who consults or asks counsel or information with familiar spirits.
[7]. "Wizard" - generally perceived to be the male version of a witch - black magic.
[8]. "Necromancer" - one who pretends to foretell future events by means of communication with the dead.

For further study, we will combine these into three groups because of the overlapping

A. DIVINATION - (Divination, prognostication, enchanting)

[1]. Seeking illegitimate knowledge (not lawful with God) by the use of signs,omens, and evil spirits.

[2]. Many examples: Jacob and Laban (Gen. 30:37-42; Balaam (Num. 22-24; Josh. 13:22); King of Babylon (Ezek. 21:21); Babylon sorcerers (Isa. 47:9-13); Ephesians converts (Acts 19:18,19); Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-20); Gideon's fleece (Judges 6:36-40)

B. "BLACK" OR EVIL MAGIC (wizard, witch) -

[1]. Not jugglery nor mere slight of hand; but seeking and using knowledge and mystery (in collusion with demons), seeking demon power examples:

[2]. Pharaoh's magicians (James and Jambres - Gen. 41:8; 2 Tim. 3:8)

[3]. Great sin (Gal. 5:20); Babylon (Dan. 1:20; 2:2,27; 4:7,9; 5:11)

[4]. Antichrist (II Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-18;) Israel (2 Kings 23:24) Mandrakes ("love apples" - Gen. 30:14-24); Simon (Acts 8:9-24); Elymas (Acts 13:6-10)

C. NECROMANCY (Necromancer, consulter of spirits) -

[1]. Seeking contact with and knowledge from the dead.

[2]. Examples:

(a). Witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:8)

(b). King Manasseh (2 Chron. 33:6)

(c). Evil ventriloquism (Isa. 8:19; Acts 16:17)

 

"...BUT BE Filled WITH THE SPIRIT..." Eph. 5:18

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