The Opportunist!
The Opportunist!
Last week, we learned about the acceptable year of the Lord and the coming vengeance of the Lord on those who chose to reject the salvation of the Lord!
2 Cor 4:2
4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. NLT
Today, we want to look at how the enemy operates in the present and learn how to be aware of his tactics!
John 8:44
44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT
Father: the source, originator, or model
Lies: one who utters falsehood
- It is not a matter of untrue or incorrect words, but rather of his opposition to God.
John 10:6-10
6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. NLT
- He does this by blinding people to the truth, deception through lies, destroying relationships through conflicts because of past wounds
- The enemy uses partial truths, and people choose to believe them to justify the struggles of their hearts, rather than seeking the truth!
Dualism: The belief that Satan and Jesus are in contrast to one another
- Is Satan omnipresent?
Omni-present: Present in all places at all times
Familiar spirit: a "household servant," these spirits spy on families to learn weaknesses, passing down negative behavioral cycles like addiction or anger through generations.
Victory Achieved!
Col 2:13-15
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. NLT
- When did the charges against us get canceled?
- When did the liar get disarmed?
Disarm: To strip, divest of power or authority, to deprive of power.
If he has been stripped of his power, how is he able to steal, kill, and destroy?
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. NLT
- Who is he looking for?
2 Cor 2:5-11
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ's authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. NLT
- He’s looking for someone to take advantage of their vulnerability!
- Look for their weakness!
2 Cor 2:11
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. KJV
Advantage of us: to misuse, manipulate by deception, to take advantage of by trickery
- He will look for ways to trick us and misuse us!
- But we are not ignorant of his devices, schemes
Eph 4:20-27
20 But that isn't what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. NLT
Eph 4:27
27 Neither give place to the devil. KJV
When we allow unforgiveness or anger in our lives, he is stealing, killing, and destroying!
What forgiveness does for you
- Lowers the risk of a heart attack, improves cholesterol, boosts sleep, and reduces pain
- Lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety, depression, and stress
Unregulated or chronic anger takes a massive toll on your well-being
In the Moment
- Impairs short-term memory, logic, and moral judgment
- Leads to a rigid self-centered focus on punishment or retaliation
Short term
- Leaves blood vessels less capable of relaxing, triggers headaches, and causes tension and fatigue. Long-term chronic stress, a decrease in the immune system, an increase in heart disease, strokes, depression, anxiety, and insomnia!
John 14:30-31
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. NKJV
- To say the enemy "has nothing in me" means there is no unhealed wound, no hidden shame, and no secret insecurity for them to leverage.
- Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing!
The Foothold: Anger and unforgiveness usually happen because an offense hooks into an existing pocket of insecurity within us (e.g., fear of rejection, feeling worthless).
The Victory: When you are secure in who you are, external attacks find no foothold. There is no inner "baggage" for the anger to attach to.
2. No Advantage or Manipulation
- When someone or something "has nothing in you," they lose the power to control your emotional state.
The Bait: Insults and betrayals are emotional bait designed to make you react with rage or resentment.
The Response: A truly confident person recognizes the bait but has no internal need to take it. Because the adversary has no leverage over their self-esteem, the attack simply falls flat.
3. Personal Freedom
Holding onto a grudge means you have given the offender a permanent lease inside your mind. You are emotionally bound to them.
- Proclaiming "they have nothing in me" is an act of total emotional freedom
- It means you refuse to let their toxic actions alter your character, dictate your mood, or compromise your peace.