John F Avanzini - The defeated foe

The Defeated Foe

Contrary to popular belief, Satan is not a roaring lion! God's Word tells us something different. It says he goes about "as a roaring lion ." He wants you to think he's a lion, but he is merely pretending.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:8

Remember, the Bible tells us the devil is the master of deception.

... the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:

Revelation 12:9

Take warning; Satan is capable of deceiving those who let down their guard!

... if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24

This booklet will show you that Satan's greatest power is his ability to trick you by manipulating your imagination. You must always be on guard, ready to cast down every false image he sends your way.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God....

2 Corinthians 10:5

Popular opinion says you better watch out for old slew foot. He's a really tough customer! However, when you look beyond the surface, you find the devil is nothing more than a defeated foe. The Word of God tells us he is definitely not all powerful. It actually portrays him as super weak. Scripture tells us his future looks bleak, for he is headed for that awful place called "the bottomless pit." Notice that it won't take legions of angels to put him there. Instead, the Bible says one angel is all it will take to do the job.

... I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

And he [one angel] laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent....

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up....

Revelation 20:1-3

Don't misunderstand. I am not saying the devil never does any real damage. It is obvious that Christians suffer many losses at his hand. Lives are torn up; jobs are lost; precious children are led off into sin. The fact that the devil plays a part in these tragedies is obvious, but let's take another look and see if he really has the ability to cause problems without recruiting someone's help.

A Strange Phenomenon

Scripture reveals something very interesting about Satan and his so-called strength. The first biblical mention of the devil in Genesis 3:1 portrays him as a garden snake. However, by the time you get to the Book of Revelation, he appears to be a ferocious dragon.

This great Dragon the ancient serpent [snake] called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world....

Revelation 12:9 TLB

Think about it. A garden snake grows into a dragon in just 66 books. How did he become so big and ferocious? The answer is simple. Someone has been feeding him. The questions that immediately come to mind are, How do you feed the devil? Who has been doing it? Is it a satanic cult or a coven of witches? Who has been his benefactor?

As amazing as it may seem, the saints of God are the ones who have been systematically increasing the devil's ability. How have they done it? It's simpleby constantly speaking of how powerful he is. It may not make much sense until you remember what Jesus told us. He said we will have whatever we say and believe.

... whosoever shall say ... and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe ... he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:23

Misinformed Christians have been restoring the devil's strength with their words. They do it because Satan has carefully blinded them with one of the biggest cover-ups of all time.

Remember, it used to be Lucifer's job to provide covering (security and privacy) for God.

The Bible calls him the "covering cherub."

Thou [Satan] art the anointed cherub that covereth ....

Ezekiel 28:14

However, since Satan's fall, he has become the prince of darkness who is running a giant cover-up.

Let's uncover some of the powerful biblical truths Satan has been hiding.

First of all, the devil is trying to cover up the fact that you belong to a superior species. God created Satan in the angel class. However, he is now even lower, for he belongs to a doomed class of creatures called "fallen angels." But when you were born-again, the Father recreated you, and you became a part of the God class. Now you are one of His sons or daughters.

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 5:30

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying you are a god. I am saying that if you are God's child, you must belong to the God class of creatures.

... if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature

2 Corinthians 5:17

Secondly, the devil is trying to cover up the fact that your power as a son or daughter of God is far greater than his limited power as a fallen angel.

... greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:4

Satan's third cover-up is to convince you that you are supposed to be living under his feet. Just the opposite is true. The devil is supposed to be living under your feet!

... the God of peace shall bruise

Satan under your feet....

Romans 16:20

Misunderstanding John 10:10

Without realizing it, many faithful Bible teachers unconsciously feed the devil. This mistake takes place because of another cover-up. The devil hides the true meaning of John 10:10.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy........

John 10:10

As you know, the popular interpretation of this verse is that the thief is the devil. Well-meaning preachers tell us the devil has the ability to kill, steal, and destroy. No doubt, this statement has been made millions of times. If the devil has such power, the Church is in a heap of trouble. However, the true meaning is quite different. In its biblical context, John 10:10 doesn't even mention the devil. The context of this section of Scripture does refer to the devil, but not as a thief. The thieves and robbers are hireling shepherds. Notice that John 10:12 clearly identifies the thieves as hirelings.

... he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth : and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth , because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

John 10:12 ,13

The thieves of John 10:10 are false pastors (shepherds) who take the leadership of the Church without having a real love or concern for God's sheep or His Word.

Upon close examination, it becomes obvious that Satan is not the thief. However, he does appear in this parable. He is the wolf from whom the thieves (hireling shepherds) flee, leaving the sheep at his mercy.

As the Church continues to speak recklessly of Satan as a killing, stealing, destroyer, we actually give him the powers we speak, for every Christian has the power to release death or life with the words of his mouth.

Death and life are in power of the tongue....

Proverbs 18:21

If you talk about a killing, stealing devil, that is exactly the kind of devil you will face each and every day! Remember our Lord's words:

... [ you ] shall have whatsoever [you] saith.

Mark 11:23

Don't think I am trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Remember, the Apostle Paul taught the importance of keeping the Scripture in its biblical context.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

By overlooking this admonition as it pertains to John 10:10, the Church is releasing a destructive power in our midst. Satan has skillfully covered up the real meaning of this verse, causing us to re-supply him with the ability to kill, steal, and destroy.