»Wherever Satan is unable to steal, destroy, or deceive the kingom of God... the enemy resists its advance and attempts to spoil any victories won.
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- He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV)
- But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV)
- Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. (Acts 15:37-39a NKJV)
- And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:8-10 NKJV)
- Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:1-4 NKJV)
- ...Satan... will go out to deceive the nations ...to gather them together to battle... (Revelation 20:7-8 NKJV)
Divisive Objectives of Satan and the World System: Uniting for Kingdom Purpose
The Bible provides profound insights into the enemy's tactics to cause division among God's people. Moreover, it calls for believers to unite in purpose and stand against the divisive strategies of the enemy.
- Exalting Himself Above God: In 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul warns that the coming Antichrist, under the influence of Satan, will exalt himself above everything that is called God. This verse unveils one of Satan's ultimate objectives: to set himself up as a false deity and undermine the worship and authority of the one true God. The enemy seeks to cause division by promoting false doctrines, enticing people to follow him and rebel against God. By understanding this objective, believers are equipped to discern the deceptive nature of false teachings and stand firm in the truth of God's Word, maintaining unity and allegiance to the true God.
- Hindering the Work of God: In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Paul explains how Satan hindered him and his companions from visiting the Thessalonians. This verse highlights another objective of Satan: to obstruct the work of God and create divisions among believers. The enemy seeks to hinder the spread of the Gospel, disrupt unity, and impede the advancement of God's Kingdom. Believers must be aware of these hindrances and remain steadfast, continuing to pursue God's purposes and maintaining unity in the face of opposition.
- Contentious Disagreements: In Acts 15:37-39a, a sharp contention arises between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take John Mark on their missionary journey. This passage demonstrates how the enemy can exploit disagreements and interpersonal conflicts to cause division within the body of Christ. Satan seeks to sow discord, create factions, and disrupt the unity and effectiveness of believers in their mission. It is crucial for believers to exercise humility, grace, and a spirit of reconciliation when disagreements arise, keeping the focus on the common goal of advancing God's Kingdom.
- Hardened Hearts and Opposition: Acts 19:8-10 highlights the opposition encountered by the apostle Paul as he preached in the synagogue. Some hardened their hearts, spoke evil of the Way, and opposed the message of the Gospel. This passage illustrates how the world system, under the influence of Satan, can lead people to reject the truth and harbor animosity towards believers. The world's values, desires, and pursuit of pleasure often lead to conflicts and division. Believers must be aware of the divisive nature of worldly desires, maintaining their loyalty to God and seeking unity among fellow believers.
- Desires and Friendship with the World: James 4:1-4 addresses the source of wars and fights among believers, he attributes these divisions to the desires for worldly pleasures that wage war within them. Satan and the world system exploit these desires, enticing believers with the allure of materialism, success, and self-gratification. When believers succumb to these worldly desires and prioritize their own interests above God's kingdom, they become susceptible to division, strife, and discord within the body of Christ. The enemy's objective in this context is to draw believers away from their devotion to God and disrupt their unity. Satan knows that when believers are divided, their effectiveness in fulfilling the Great Commission is weakened, and the witness of the Church is compromised. He seeks to create divisions based on personal ambitions, envy, jealousy, and selfishness. By fueling these desires, Satan sows seeds of discord and turns believers against one another, hindering the advancement of God's kingdom. To counteract this, believers are called to seek humility, resist the lure of worldly desires, and cultivate a friendship with God rather than the world.
- Deceiving the Nations to incite them to battle against God: Revelation 20:7-8 speaks of Satan deceiving the nations and gathering them for battle. This passage depicts a future event where Satan is released from his prison and goes out to deceive the nations, gathering them together for a final battle against God's people. The enemy's primary goal is to bring about chaos, destruction, and division on a global scale, instigating conflict and rebellion against God's rule. The enemy seeks to pit nations against each other, fostering hatred and division among people. This objective underscores the significance of believers uniting across cultural, ethnic, and national boundaries to promote peace, love, and reconciliation. Through unity, believers can counteract the enemy's divisive strategies and be agents of God's kingdom.
Satan's strategy is to distort truth, promote falsehood, and manipulate the hearts and minds of people. He deceives nations by appealing to their pride, self-interest, and desire for power. By exploiting the divisions, cultural differences, and grievances among nations, he fuels animosity and conflict, seeking to turn humanity against one another and against God.
To counteract this objective, James encourages believers to humble themselves before God, submit to His authority, and resist the temptations of the world. By seeking God's wisdom, developing a deep and intimate relationship with Him, and aligning their desires with His purposes, believers can overcome the divisive strategies of the enemy. James reminds us that true fulfillment and satisfaction are found in seeking God's will rather than pursuing the fleeting pleasures of the world.
Christians are called to recognize the ultimate futility of Satan's schemes. We are reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Instead of being consumed by fear or division, we are called to stand firm in our faith, united in our devotion to God and His purposes. By living out the love and reconciliation modeled by Christ, believers can counteract the divisive strategies of the enemy, working towards unity, peace, and the advancement of God's kingdom.
In conclusion, understanding the objectives of Satan and the world system to cause division is essential for believers engaged in spiritual warfare. By recognizing and actively countering these strategies, believers can stand firm in their faith, maintain unity within the body of Christ, and be agents of love, reconciliation, and peace. Let us resist the temptations of worldly desires, humble ourselves before God, and seek unity and harmony among believers, in order to fulfill God's purposes and bring glory to His name.
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