Now since we’re here in 2 Corinthians, let’s come from chapter 2 to chapter 4, and let’s look at some of the power that Satan has, where he has so much power he is called the god of this world. And let’s see how he interferes with people who don’t believe. One of the things that Satan can always use…and mark this down…disbelief. And disbelief closes down your understanding step by step by step, just like a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Now here, 2 Corinthians 4 Paul says, “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty,…” One of the levers of Satan and his devices, that if you use, and if you have, you are giving place to Satan the devil. Now hold your place here and come to Ephesians 4, and let’s understand something. There are certain things that we do that even though we have the Spirit of God, we give Satan a place in our minds, an attitude for him to work with. And if we don’t repent of it and get rid of it then he can work even more.

Now notice Ephesians 4:23. Here’s what we are to do. “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;…” Constantly, daily, through prayer, through study, through living, through following God’s way. “…And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” So you see, whenever you give space to Satan the devil, you are not allowing God to do the creating of the new man within you. The new person, the preparation for the resurrection. The very character and mind of God. “Wherefore putting away lying [because that’s one of the devices of Satan the devil], speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be angry, and sin not:…” Because anger is another one of those handles that Satan can get a hold of, and use you, and manipulate you. And when you are angry you know you are right, and you have cause to be angry. And yes, Satan will feed that. And he will tell you that you are right, and he will tell you that this is the thing to do. So don’t sin. “…Let not the sun go down upon your wrath:…” Now if you keep anger, and if you keep those things that you develop bitterness, and you develop anger, and you develop all of these things, now notice verse 27. “Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:23-27). Because in all of these things you are giving an entrance of Satan into you, and it creates a greater conflict in your mind, because not only are you having to then overcome your own human nature and your own sin, but you’re giving him a space to have hold of you. And that is leaven.

Now continuing, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,…” (vs. 28-29). All of the swearing and cursing that goes along with the world, and all of the epitaphs of taking the name of God in vain. And you can let these things have an entrance into your mind through television, through movies, through radio, through all of those things that are controlled by Satan the devil to give an entrance, or a place, in your mind. And so you have to have the character to expel that, to get rid of that, to not get all engrossed in it and entrapped in Satan’s way, that his thoughts, that his ways occupy your thoughts and your mind, and your time, see.

Verse 30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” And if you give place to the devil, you’re grieving the Holy Spirit. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is there trying to convict your conscience that this is sin, get rid of it. Don’t let this have an entrance into you. And Satan is right there with his thoughts and his ideas. So it is a grievous thing that is going on because you are not yielding to God or the Holy Spirit. You are yielding to Satan the devil and his thoughts.

Now here are other things that he uses as a place, as a tool, as a device. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:…” (vs. 31). Because you see, those are the tools of Satan the devil. This is what he can use in your life. And we’ll see in a little bit all the things that we need to do to fight against it.

Now let’s come back here to 2 Corinthians 4. And just like Pharaoh and his armies came after the children of Israel when they were stuck by the Red Sea, so also Satan the devil and the demons are waiting for you to get yourself into a position where you are weak. That’s why you need to be strong in the Lord.

Now back here to 2 Corinthians 4:2, “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,…” That is, having an agenda, having other thoughts other than the pure thoughts of God, political, if you will. “…Nor handling the word of God deceitfully;…” And that’s how so many false doctrines are generated, by people deceitfully going after their own ideas and doctrines in the Bible. Now let’s understand one of the devices of Satan the devil today, and let’s see how that has become a problem with doctrine. It is this: in the world today, especially on television and radio, they have opinion polls. They ask, “What do you think, what do you think of this, what do you think of that, what do you think of the other thing”, and people have become so used to giving their opinion, whether right or wrong, whether good or blither. And that people think when they approach the Bible that their opinion is as valid as the word of God. Now, it’s not.

Now there were some people arguing that when Jesus took Peter, James, and John on the mount of transfiguration, some people said, “Well, God resurrected Moses and Elijah”, not reading the scriptures where it says, “Tell the vision to no man.” But that was their opinion, and they were convinced of it. So that’s handling the word of God deceitfully. No interpretation of the scripture is of any private interpretation. The scripture must interpret the scripture. And that’s one of the devices of Satan in using the word of God deceitfully. And how many ministers do that? How many people with their own pet doctrine do that? Now let’s understand something here concerning the devices of Satan. Know and understand this: all of the doctrines of Judaism come from Satan the devil. Understand that. You do not need prayer shawls. If you don’t have faith, all the prayer shawls in the world aren’t going to do you any good. You do not need praise dancing. You need a pure mind. You do not need head coverings, you do not need beards, you do not need tassels. God wants your heart. All of these things are devices and diversions of Satan the devil and Satan the devil is the god of Judaism. Jesus said so, John 8. He’s the god of the world here, as we’ll see in just a minute. But we on the other hand are not to be doing those things deceitfully. “…But by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Now let’s see how Satan works in these circumstances, you see. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:…”, or that is, being lost. Why? Because they don’t believe. And why don’t they believe? “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,…” Now then let’s understand something. This can be a little leaven that coming into your mind, we’ll see in a little bit how it affected Peter. See, and the more that you allow Satan the devil to have an entrance, or give a place in your life by the works of the flesh, by yielding to him, by following the ways of the world, the more that you give him an entrance to blind your minds, that’s why we live in an age that is Laodicean today. The whole world and everything out there is designed to keep people from God. Now if used properly with the word of God, and the Spirit of God, then these things can become an asset. These things can become good for using for the preaching of the gospel. But look what happens. “…Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (vs. 3-4). So Satan is there to try and stop them from knowing, stop them from understanding.

Now, remember the parable (we’ll get there in a little bit) of the sower. Satan comes and removes it. Now, verse 5, “For we preach not ourselves,…” And brethren, no minister, no elder, no man is to preach himself. “…But Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” As we already covered, that we are to constantly point you to God the Father, and Jesus Christ. And Christ is the head of the church. And the greatest leaven that comes into any church organization is when men begin to preach themselves.

Now let’s come and see the example of Peter. Let’s come to Matthew 16, and we will see how it is that even with the Spirit of God we can in one minute do something that is good, that is spiritual, that is right, and turn around the next minute and do something that is evil and wrong and give a place to Satan the devil. And it can come that easy. Especially today. Let’s come to Matthew 16:13. Especially today with so many distractions. Especially today when people think they are so intelligent, and people think they really know the scriptures, and know the word of God, and they’re yet still preaching themselves, handling the word of God deceitfully.

Now here Matthew 16:13, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?” Now, notice Peter. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Correct answer. Where did that answer come from? We’ll see that came from God the Father. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona [that is, son of Jonah]: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:13-17).

Now you see, Peter had a weakness. He had a very self-righteous streak. Now, just minutes after this as they’re on their way out to Jerusalem, let’s come to verse 21 and let’s see what Peter did. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Now notice how Peter gave Satan the devil an entrance, for a right cause, a good cause. And it seemed the thing to do. Now notice what Peter did. “Then Peter took Him [that is Peter took Jesus aside], and began to rebuke Him [correcting the Lord], saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not [happen] be unto Thee” (vs. 21-22). “Now we’re here, we’ll protect you. Yes, indeed.” And remember who cut off the ear of the high priests servant. It was Peter. He’s ready to fight. In his own mind he thought this is a good and right cause. “No, we’re here, He’s the Messiah, He’s the Savior of the world. It’s not going to happen to You because we’re here to protect You, Lord.” Now notice, that did not come from God. The other did. Who did this come from? Verse 23, “But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Now let’s see what Jesus even said to Peter. How susceptible that Peter was with his own self-will and human nature to give himself in to the devices of Satan the devil. And Satan wanted to have Peter. And Peter was, at another time, remember when Jesus said, “You’re all going to deny me.” And Peter said, “No, I won’t deny you.” And Jesus looked at him and said, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny Me three times in this night.”

Now here, let’s come to Luke 22:31, and let’s see what Jesus told Peter. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you [boy, he would have been a good candidate for Satan, wouldn’t he?], that he may sift you as wheat:…” Use you in the way that he desires. “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death. And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest Me” (vs. 31-34). Those are the devices of Satan the devil. We can’t give space to him.

Now, let’s come to 1 Timothy 3, and let’s see some important things concerning Satan the devil. There are devices and there are traps that come to people, and in particularly to ministers. 1 Timothy 3:5, “(For if a man know not how to rule his own house [household], how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice [or, one newly come to the faith], lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” So pride brings you into the condemnation of the devil. And I remember hearing a great high apostle in the church of God say openly in a Bible study one Friday night in Pasadena. He said, “Brethren, I have been so faithful to God that Satan has no more interest in me.” And lo and behold that pride, he fell into the trap and condemnation of the devil. And that’s when, after that, he changed the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gospel of give and get. Yes, Satan got him in a way that he didn’t expect. And if he can get him, brethren, he can get any one of us, you see. “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:5-7). Because he’s right there to snare, to take. So we are not to give any place to the devil in any of these things.

Let’s come 2 Timothy 2:22. Some of the instructions to Timothy as a minister, from Paul. “Flee also youthful lusts:…” That’s another device of Satan the devil. Lust, sex, adultery. All of these things just pouring forth and spewing forth on the television, and radio, and media, and press, and all of those things. “…But follow righteousness,…” You see, you need to turn yourself from those things. You need to turn away from those things. You need to turn away from the devices of Satan the devil, or you’re going to be entrapped. You’re going to end up just like Peter. One day you will be spiritual. The next day you will be carnal, and Satanic. “…But follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,…” That’s another device of Satan the devil. And I tell you, the bane of e-mail is foolish and unlearned questions. And I don’t answer them, because he says avoid. So I do that. “…Knowing that they do gender strifes” (2 Tim. 2:22-23). And strifes is what? A device of Satan the devil.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;…” Because see, if you get rapped up in the devices of Satan, and you allow a place for Satan the devil in your life, then you are opposing yourself, and the purpose that God has called you for. “…If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;…” So when those things happen you have to acknowledge the truth. We have to acknowledge where we’re wrong. We have to acknowledge that we need to repent to God. So notice, “…and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil…” Because all of these things are the snare of the devil, see. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. And Satan appeals to that. And all of that is of the world, and it’s all going to perish. Now notice, “…who are taken captive by him at his will” (vs. 24-26).

Now how do you resist Satan the devil? Let’s come to 1 Peter 5, and then when we see that then we will see how, then, we get out minds squared around the way they should be with the Spirit of God and the truth of God, and the words of God, to do the things that God wants us to. Because not only are we to not give Satan an entrance into our lives, we are also to overcome our own thoughts and our own minds. That’s all part of character and growing and overcoming.

Now, let’s pick it up here in 1 Peter 5:6. “Humble yourselves therefore under the might hand of God,…” Instead of complaining like the children of Israel, instead of accusing God because a trial that comes upon you, instead of giving an entrance or a place to Satan the devil into your life, repent and humble yourself to God, “…that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” You trust fully in Christ. You trust fully in the Spirit of God. And when things get desperate in your life, just as it says here, cast yourself upon Him. And all your cares. And say, “Oh Lord, You know. Help me. Fight this battle. Drive Satan away.” And there are times when you have to actually command Satan the devil to leave. “Get you hence, Satan.” Just like Jesus did. And know and understand this: that the demons must obey. So you don’t have to be victim to the things that they bring upon us. Don’t give place to Satan the devil, see.

Verse 8, “Be sober [that is, serious-minded], be vigilant [that is, always on guard]; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:…” And as we saw in 2 Timothy 2, that he takes them at his will. If you yield and give place to Satan the devil, then you’re going to have a split mind, just exactly like Peter. You’re going to serve God one time, serve Satan another time. And you’re going to be brought back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth until you resist in the faith.

Now notice verse 9, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith,…” Not wavering, not wondering whether the things that you know are from God or not. No, “…knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Because Satan is after us all the time. His is the adversary. He is the one who is looking for an entrance. He is the one that we must fight, and we must fight steadfast in the faith. And that’s the fight that Jesus Christ is asking us to stand still and let Him fight the battle, and we fight just like Joshua and the armies of the children of Israel fought against the Amalakites. We have our part to do, and this is our part here.

And here is a promise. And claim this promise. “But the God of all grace,…” Because we receive these things through the grace of God. “…Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (vs. 10). Because you don’t yield to the devices of Satan the devil. And you don’t let your mind get involved in these things. But you put them out of your mind. And if there is something that is stuck in your mind…now every once in a while you’re going to get something that’s stuck in your mind, and you’re going to have a hard time overcoming. And sometimes it may take quite a while to overcome it. Let’s see how we fight that.

Let’s come back here to 2 Corinthians 10. This is how then, we can put away the devices of Satan the devil. This is how, then, we can not give him a toe-hold in our mind, or in our thoughts, or in our actions, and the things that we do. Let’s pick it up here in verse 2. “But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.” Now you see, if we walk according to the flesh by carnal devices, by carnal means, by things of human beings, and giving a place to Satan the devil, you see. No, we don’t do that, and we are not to brethren. “For though we walk in the flesh,…” Yes, we’re still in the flesh, “…we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,…” They are not physical. You cannot use psychology to overcome sin. You cannot use psychology to get rid of Satan the devil. You must use the Spirit of God, the power of God, the word of God, and resist him steadfast in the faith, you see. And the weapons of our warfare then are “…mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ” (2 Cor.10:2-4). And the biggest stronghold is right here in the mind because that’s where the Spirit of God resides, that’s where Satan the devil wants to have an entrance with his device to grab a hold of you.

Here’s what you do. Instead of letting these things and these problems just sort of toss you to and fro, and you love God one minute and you complain to Him the next minute. You do what is good spiritually one minute, and you sin the next minute. You yield to God one minute, and you yield to Satan the devil the next minute. And you’re back and forth, and back and forth. Use the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

Here’s what you do. You grab those things in your mind, pray before God, let Him know exactly what is going on, and ask God to cast those things down with the Spirit of God, “…casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;…” (vs. 5). That’s how you overcome.

Now let’s also understand another thing, because this has come up recently too. Wherever there are idols and signs of Satan the devil of the occult, be it something in a statue, be it something in a painting, be it something in jewelry, know that all of those things are calling cards for demons. And they will come, and you give them entrance. Don’t give them any space. Now with children, do not give them any space with the media and television and music, rap and rock, and the cartoons that they have to mold their minds in Satanic form. Now you can’t avoid all of it, but you have got to teach your children at a young age that those things are not from God, they are from Satan the devil. And do not allow your children to play with those things. And do not allow them to read books like Harry Potter. Now I know, as I’ve said before when we went and saw the Star Wars and came home, and I told my boys, I said, “This is all Satanism.” “Naw, Dad.” You see, you need to explain to them why it is, because it’s not of God. And you watch and see, all of the movies forthcoming of Harry Potter are going to lead more people into the depths of witchcraft and Satanism, and set up this world for the great deception of Satan the devil. And it is going to be so great and so marvelous, and there are going to be signs and wonders that will happen that Christ said that even the elect could be deceived. And they can be deceived when they do like Peter and allow an entrance of Satan the devil. They can be deceived when you have one foot in the world, and one foot in the church. One foot in your way, and one foot in God’s way, thinking that you can play both ends against the middle. Isn’t that a perfect description of a Laodicean? Yes, it is. And it talks about the Laodiceans being blind. And who blinded them? Satan the devil, as we found out. Those are the devices of Satan the devil. Those are the things that you need to understand and realize.

Now let’s come to Ephesians 6, and let’s see the tools of our warfare are spiritual. And we are fighting against so many things today. Here, hold your place in Ephesians 6 and come to Revelation 3 for just a minute. Because we are living in the end-time when the synagogue of Satan and the great deception that’s on the world is coming full bore in all of it’s glory, and all of it’s power, and all of it’s wonder, and all the signs and things that Satan can do with all the modern devices of the world and everything. It is going to be awesome.

Now notice, Revelation 3:8. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word,…” That’s how you can fight against Satan the devil, because you keep the word of God. It doesn’t matter whether you are weak physically. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old. If you are strong in the Lord, that is what counts. If you’re weak in the flesh and strong in the Lord, God’s strength is made perfect in you. “…Hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of My patience [or, patiently kept My word], I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [which is the coming mark of the beast], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:8-10).

This last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread we need to let God fight these battles for us. We need to arm ourselves with His power, with His Spirit, with His devices, and not allow any entrance of Satan the devil into our lives. Not to be spiritual one minute, and Satanic another minute.

Now, let’s come back to Ephesians 6 and see how we need to do this. And is a full-time job. It is a full-time armor. Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren,…” Now remember, recently I did a tape on “You, Satan, and the World”, and how that those in the city of Ephesus, they were living at the headquarters of the goddess Diana. And they were wrapped up in witchcraft, with trinkets, with idols, with books, with demons. And there was such a great conversion that all of the idol-makers were about to go out of business. Now that’s what there needs to be in the church of God today. A great revival in the church of God that we do not allow the entrance of Satan the devil, and understand whom we are fighting. And understand that the world is going back head long into occultism, and Satanism, and witchcraft.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might [because He will fight for us]. Put on the whole armour of God,…” Now you tie that in the with the Laodiceans who were told to put on the righteousness, see, they’re naked and miserable. Here’s the way to come out of that. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11). Because he will come with one scheme at one time, another scheme at another time. That’s why you’ve got to constantly be bringing these thoughts into captivity, pulling down strongholds through the Spirit of God, you see.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,…” And this means we’re not just wrestling against our own flesh and blood. No, “…but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,…” And remember Christ came to deliver us from the darkness of Satan the devil. And we have been delivered. “…Against spiritual wickedness in high places.” That also confirms a conspiracy. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,…” Don’t leave anything to chance. That’s why you’ve heard it over and over again, and after being in the church of God now 42 years, and a minister for 38, I can tell you one thing for sure: prayer, study, fasting, overcoming, is a daily task. And those are the whole things which are the whole armor of God, that you fortify your mind with the word of God, with the Spirit of God, the truth of God, and loving and serving Him with a whole heart. That way, it says, you may be able to withstand the evil day. And there’s enough evil in every day, as Jesus said. “…And having done all, to stand” (vs. 12-13). Just like it said back there where we began in Exodus 14, “Stand still and see the salvation of God.” That we may stand and resist. We may stand and fight. Not run and flee. Resist in the faith.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth [so that you can always have it right there to resist the lies], and having on the breastplate of righteousness;…” That is, through the grace of God you are in right standing with God. You keep the commandments of God, you love God. And this is just like a breastplate which covers your vital organs so that you will be able to withstand all of these things in the day of battle. “…And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;…” Always looking to the hope of the gospel, always understanding the gospel, always yielding and understanding to Christ. “…Above all, taking the shield of faith [just like you resist all the fiery darts that come], wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked [one]” (vs. 14-16). And this means these fiery darts are like missiles of passion. He’s the prince of the power of the air, and he’s sending these out phew - phew, to come into your mind, to get you away from Christ, to get you after lust. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are all the missiles of Satan the devil that he’s sending in to try and entrap you.

“…And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:…” (vs. 17). That’s why brethren, it’s so important that we have, and we understand the word of God, and know it and believe it, and love it, and live by it. That’s the whole purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to renew us, to give us the invigorating power of the Holy Spirit of God, to give us the determination to put out leaven and sin, and to put in righteousness and to fight the good fight of faith, and go forward as God wants us to.

Now here, verse 18. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all [of the] saints;…” So not only do you pray for yourself and your family and your loved ones, but all of the saints. That way we can all be together, and we can all love God, and we can have God fight our battles for us. We can overcome Satan the devil. We can put away the works of the flesh, we can put away the sins of the mind, and to be steadfast and fixed and not unstable like Peter was. So this is the meaning of this day. God will fight your battles for you, and you have your part to do it.