Scriptures were written for teaching and explanation:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:15-16 KJV
The focal point of all Old Testament writings is salvation through faith in Christ; this is what is taught and explained.
[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4 KJV
When we read its stories, it gives us what to expect and look out for in Christ.
The writer of Hebrews was more succinct (briefly and clearly expressed).
[3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews 11:3 KJV
The historic feats of those saints were built upon faith in Christ.
Much more Today, we bask upon the fulfilled promises given then; that said, Satan exists in scriptures.
He was nearly completely veiled in the books of Genesis to Malachi (veiled refers to something that has a veil or is covered, either literally or metaphorically. It can describe a person wearing a veil or an expression that is disguised or not clearly stated.) It had to be as he is called after lies and deception.
[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:44 KJV
He authors lies.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV
He is deception personified.
[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:9 KJV
He acts omnipresent even though he isn’t, he is a mobile deceiver.
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
He acts omniscient, even though he needs to be told before he knows.
From Jesus’ incarnation till John’s baptism he had to be informed via his rulers to know who Jesus was and even after then Still couldn’t decipher what his death dealt with despite several prophetic intimations.
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it , they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV
Such is his case. He inspires sorcery, called jazz as a nickname or juju or voodoo depending on the nomenclature.
Paul rests the definition for sorcery:
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:20 KJV
It’s listed with cravings of sin and its nature; it derives power from the absence of God’s life and Spirit. You can’t have strife and love in the same place, same with idolatry and sorcery.
We must never take our understanding from movies or legends, but from the Word.
Back in history, we saw the failure of Voodoo and its Likes.
In Egypt with Joseph:
[8] And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:8 KJV
They couldn’t, but Joseph did.
[38] And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Genesis 41:38 KJV
He knew what they didn’t.
[11] Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
[12] For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
Exodus 7:11-12 KJV
With Moses and Aaron in Egypt too.
[11] Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
[12] For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
Exodus 7:11-12 KJV
They were shamed, and a good scenario too was Balaams case:
[23] Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Numbers 23:23 KJV
He was called upon to curse the entire nation.
I doubt if all those folks live right or were great Christians, yet no amount of sorcery or enchantment could do.
This was Israel all because of Moses!
Enchantments did and still exist, but none against them and us. In the Four gospels the disciples moved ahead of just the immunity to the ability of dispelling satan’s works:
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Nothing including enchantment shall by any means hurt them and us. Nothing!
In Samaria, a professional juju/voodoo man was cited.
[9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
[10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Acts 8:9-11 KJV
He commanded much respect, TV shows eulogized him, movies used him to speak of power, till Phillip:
[12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
[13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:12-13 KJV
Phillip took his place in Christ.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:17-18 KJV
If Philip had been watching movies about Simon he might have been jittery and forced to delay the outreach till after sixty days prayer vigils.
Phillip preached and knew only Christ.
[5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Acts 8:5 KJV
Not some testimony or Nollywood scripted version, and we believers must give little space to information about Satan.
Paul had a different encounter with a sorcerer who in this instance didn’t believe but chose to hinder others:
[6] And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
[8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
[9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
[10] And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
[11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:6,8-11 KJV
A “trance” was imposed upon him not disease nor sickness for a season, during which the gospel was given free course.
Simple dominion over satan’s works by paul taking his place in Christ. Pauline prayers weren’t to know who Satan is, his headquarters , Names of his staff, Personal assistants, favorite meal or even football club, Lol.
We should know Christ, what we have in Him:
Ephesians 1:17-23 KJV
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 1:17-23 KJV
Imagine filling your thoughts with these truths
CHRIST IS LORD OVER ALL POWERS AND BEINGS AND I AM IN HIM SEATED AND REIGNING, not things which we make you versed in fearful thoughts.
Some mischievously quote Paul:
[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV
Yet Paul was referring to walking in love towards others who have sinned and not allowing condemnation from the enemy, and not about knowing whether demons operate at midnight or dawn!
Some believers can be comical, regions of the world have different time zones except we reason Demons are citizens not extraterrestrial beings; that said:
Some settled facts of scriptures, No such place as satan’s territory. Samaria was so seen till Phillip.
[26] For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
[28] But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
1 Corinthians 10:26, 28 KJV
All in and of the earth belongs to God, including food:
[27] If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Corinthians 10:27 KJV
Ask no questions whether sleeping or awake except it’s not a meal you like, some have made a deal or ministries out of this, yet scriptures don’t teach against eating food.
[13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:13 KJV
Peter was told to eat in a trance.
In some deliverance theaters today, he would be told to go for a spiritual check up, yet even the Old Testament had nothing evil to say of this:
[8] It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
Isaiah 29:8 KJV
Nothing evil, just another activity; the preacher said a bit of this back to the epistles:
[3] …and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
[4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV
It didn’t specify whether in dreams or otherwise; it’s no implantation from satanic forces after your destiny, except if you so desire it, then it is so.
I could cite my own numerous experiences with voodoo but it’s not necessary.
Faith in my testimonies isn’t as Effective as in Christ and you in Him. We view sorcery, voodoo as sins reign, works of the flesh, but we have the gift of righteousness; we win and reign over it:
[17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:17, 20-21 KJV
Read More: Refuse Pride But Be Audacious
Read More: Be Careful Not To Ascribe To The New Creation What God Did Not Ascribe To Him
Read More: The Christian Must Be Very Watchful About What He Says About Others
Nothing shall by any means hurt us, either via words, amulets, dreams, animals etc, we can’t be hurt.
We don’t glorify how the world sees sorcery, we glorify Christ over it and we in Him!
Quit meditating on thoughts of Satan!
Focus on what we have in Christ!!
No divination against us!!
No enchantment towards us!!
Nothing shall by any means hurt us!!
I usually get circumspect, wary and unwilling discussing Satan, taking after Paul’s admonition:
[27] Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 KJV
He shouldn’t dominate testimonies, sermons, songs, or prayer meetings.
His name existence isn’t being denied rather his defeat is being upheld and pronounced!
Notice no single book was written about Satan in scriptures, it’s all about Christ!
Stay with that!!!
I CALL YOU BLESSES!
JESUS IS LORD, WE WIN!!
For further study get these materials:
- What every believer must know about the devil
- Little gist about demons
All on Livingwordmedia
Credit: Pastor Onayinka Olusegun
