Shutting the Door on Satan

Shutting-Off Satan’s Access to Your Heart and Life

Ephesians 4:27

Pastor Craig Ledbetter                                           

Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland

10 Jan, 2010  AM

www.biblebc.com

 

I.       Introduction (John 10:10)

 

A.     We are in week two of our study series on Doors in the Christian’s life.

B.     It may sound a bit boring, but the Bible says there are some very important things to learn from doors!

C.     Usually in the Bible, doors are openings, opportunities that God is laying out for us (as in Rev 3:8).

D.     But there are other doors that should NOT be opened.

E.      You see, the devil is not only a sneaky liar, he is a THIEF and a DESTROYER!

F.      So, if you want to quit being robbed by the devil every day and week of our lives, then there are some BIG doors that must be slammed shut and locked!

G.     I want to preach this morning on those doors!

H.     We will revisit these incredible truths throughout the year, so write them down and hang on to them!

 

II.    Message

 

A.     The House Concept (2Cor 6:16).

 

1.      Jesus describes a man as being a HOUSE, a dwelling place God!

2.      But more often than we are aware, our lives are dwelling places for evil spirits (Mt 12:43-45). 

3.      A human has three parts: body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and spirit (1Thes 5:23).

4.      Evil spirits may take up resident in any or all of these three parts:

 

a.       In the body

b.      In the soul

c.       In the spirit

 

5.      Even a Christian may allow evil spirits to enter his body or soul (Matt. 18:21-35, Acts 5:3).  Note, only the spirit of a Christian remains exempt from demonic occupation in that his spirit is in eternal union with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:17)

 

B.     The Door Concept.

 

1.      The mind of a man is like a big tumble-dryer of various thoughts that are constantly in motion.

2.      Our thoughts come from different sources:

 

a.       From God.  He speaks to us!

b.      From physical stimuli (the five senses: touching, taste, hearing, smelling, and seeing).

c.       From self (your own memory and your imagination).

d.      From the powers of darkness (evil spirits). They are very real!

 

3.      Man, unlike all other earthly creatures, was given a “conscience” by which he can judge the purity of his thoughts.  (Rom. 2:14-15).

4.      Man was also given the power of his will to choose which thoughts to entertain or reject.

5.      When you choose (by your will) to entertain, to enjoy a specific evil thought, then you actually leave a door open for an evil spirit to enter into your mind and life – and it wreaks havoc!

6.      That is how Satan accesses our mind, and our feelings; by us opening a doorway and leaving it open!

 

C.     The Opening.

 

1.      Evil spirits crouch like wild animals at the door waiting for an opening to enter (Gen. 4:7). 

2.      The door may be opened by:

 

a.       An Uncontrolled Tongue (Prov 15:4)

b.      An Uncontrolled Imagination (2Cor 10:4,5)

c.       Fears (Matthew 26:69-74)

d.      Sinful Habits. (Eph 4:26,27, Examples = unforgiveness, immorality, pornography, anger, bitterness, and jealousy.)

e.       Stubbornness (1Sam 15:23)

f.       Emotional hurt.  (Prov. 15:13).  Being rejected, or being embarrassed, or even abused!

g.       Any kind of occult involvement.  (1Chron 10:13).

h.      Drug, cigarette, and alcohol use.  (1Cor 3:17).

i.        Sins of your parents.  (2 Kings 22:13). Problems can be passed down upon you!

 

D.     Symptoms of Demonic Attack.

 

1.      Symptoms often vary depending upon the evil spirits involved, the degree of control they have obtained, and also the emotional, mental, and spiritual state of the individual.

2.      Symptoms Can Include:

 

a.       Physical abnormalities = supernatural strength, excessive weakness, malnutrition, overweight, uncleanliness, nudity, nerve disorders, sexual perversion, violence, unexplained illnesses, headaches, heart problems, and stomach problems.

b.      Mental abnormalities = restlessness, compulsions, reliance upon drugs, suicidal tendencies, fantasizing, self-deception, confusion, extreme fears, depression, shyness, and dominance.

c.       Spiritual = continual spiritual failures (even as a Christian), nightmares, hearing voices, seeing unusual things, and a lack of self-control.

 

E.      Repairing the Breach (Amos 9:11) – fixing the broken doors!

 

1.      This is what God wants!

2.      The Lord Jesus never intends on anyone being dominated by Satanic attacks! Satan does constantly attack, but God has provided a means by which to endure, and even conquer our enemy when he does attack!

3.      There is no victory in just trying to resist temptation, and repair things yourself. REMEMBER:  A vacuum is an invitation for evil spirits to take over.  Matt. 12:43-45.

4.      So, before you try and get rid of the problems in your life, you must:

5.      Open the Door of your life to Jesus!

 

a.       Isn’t it weird how many people will try EVERYTHING else except yielding to HIM?

b.      If you have opened doors into your life to sin, then you know how to open the door to Jesus! It is called yielding, wanting, seeking!

c.       Jesus is now knocking at the door of your soul (mind, will, and emotions) desiring to enter in and stay (Rev. 3:20)! Hey! By-the-way, He promises to NEVER leave once He enters (Heb 13:5)!

d.      Jesus is The Deliverer, the Repairer of the Breach!

 

1)      "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1John 3:8.

2)      Jesus DEMONSTRATED his own power and authority over evil spirits:

 

a)      By casting them out of people that He met. "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word." Mark 8:16.

b)      By overcoming Satan in his death and resurrection. "And having spoiled principalities and powers (of darkness), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them (all evil spirits, and even Satan himself) in it."  Colossians 2:15.

 

6.      Realise That You Now Have A New Resident

 

a.       If you have allowed evil spirits to enter into you house, then you should also know that you have no power of your own to overcome them.  (Acts 19:15-16).  You need the STRONGER POWER of the Spirit of Jesus in your life. (Luke 11:20-22).

b.      You may receive this stronger power by praying:

 

1)      I confess to you Jesus that I have sinned.

2)      I realized that the penalty for my sin is death.

3)      I believe that you, Jesus, died for all my sins and arose again.

4)      I give my life to you, Jesus, letting you become my LORD and SAVIOUR.

5)      I ask you to come now and live inside of me by your Spirit.

 

c.       REMEMBER: Greater is the Holy Spirit in you than the devil and his spirits that are in the world.  (1John 4:4)!

 

7.      Use HIM to Shut The Door On Satan (Gal 5:16) – Shut ALL the doors!

 

a.       You should not only open the door to the Lord Jesus, but should CLOSE the door on the devil!

b.      We have too many “christians" who have received Jesus Christ, but still keep the back door open for the tormentor!

 

1)      By channel surfing – “accidently” coming across wicked TV scenes

2)      By having uncontrolled access to the internet

3)      By keeping filthy movie channels

4)      By listening to rap and rock music

5)      By hanging around wicked friends

6)      By reading filthy romance novels

7)      By allowing yourself a few drinks on occasion thinking they won’t control you!

 

c.       You are able by the grace of God (His will and power working in you) to overcome future attacks of the enemy.  (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 4:27, 1Cor. 10:13)

d.      So, you CAN close the door (Philp 4:13) to the enemy by taking the following steps:

 

1)      Put on all the armour of God and pray daily (Eph 6:10-18) – prepare for battle!

2)      Understand nothing can separate you from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39, Jn 10:28).This battle will never determine God’s love for you! You are secure!

3)      Cast all your cares upon Jesus because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7-9). Ask for help!

4)      Begin House Cleaning – begin the wrestling match!

 

a)      With God's help, be willing to repent of (turn from) all habitual sins. Act 3:19 SLAM!

b)      Destroy by fire all physical objects in you possession associated with the occult or false religions.  Deut. 7:25-26, Acts 19:13-19.  Some examples are books, magazines, records, Rock and Rap music CDs, tapes, videos, statues, art objects, charms and other objects of worship. SLAM!

c)      Destroy all personal possessions of drugs, alcohol, and pornography.  Jam 1:14-15. SLAM! SLAM!

d)      Reject all wrong thoughts and run from all temptations to sin (2 Cor 10:4-5, 2Tim 2:22) SLAM!

e)      Confess to God the specific sins of your parents.  Lev. 26:40. SLAM!

f)       Confess to God all known sins in your own life asking for His forgiveness. This is not to be born again, but to be free from Satan’s dominance in your life! SLAM!

g)      Tell God that you are willing to forgive everyone who has offended you and hurt you.  SLAM!

h)      Then ask God also to forgive them.  Mt 6:12, 18:22-35, Lk 23:34, Act 7:59. SLAM!

i)        Yield all personal rights that you have, to Jesus letting Him take control over all areas of your life.  Rom. 12:1-2, Rev. 3:20. SLAM!

j)        Read, memorize, meditate upon and obey God's Word.  Rev. 1:3, Psa. 119:11, Josh. 1:8, James 1:21-22.  SLAM!

k)      Join a local church and submit yourself to the authority of the Pastor.  Heb. 10:25, 13:17. Make assembling with other believers THE priority in your life to keep you humble, and keep your challenged! SLAM!

 

e.       You will then watch your life be a habitation of the presence of almighty God, and no longer of Satan!

 


III. Conclusion

 

A.     There are doors in our life that should NEVER be opened, or at least, LEFT OPEN!

 

1.      You see, the devil is not only a sneaky liar, he is a THIEF and a DESTROYER!

2.      So, if you want to quit being robbed by the devil every day and week of our lives, then there are some BIG doors that must be slammed shut and locked!

 

B.     And it all begins with understanding The House Concept (Matthew 12:43-45). We were designed by God for Him to dwell in us! Yet, usually we cater to wrong and evil spirits!

C.     And it didn’t happen by accident!

D.     We have seen now, The Door Concept. When you choose (by your will) to entertain, to enjoy a specific evil thought, then you actually leave a door open for an evil spirit to enter into your life. That is how Satan accesses our mind, and our feelings; by us opening a doorway!

E.      We have learned how Satan uses Openings in our lives

 

1.      An Uncontrolled Tongue

2.      An Uncontrolled Imagination

3.      Fears

4.      Sinful Habits.

5.      Stubbornness

6.      Emotional hurt. 

7.      Any kind of occult involvement. 

8.      Drug, cigarette, and alcohol use. 

9.      Sins of your parents. 

 

F.      We have learned some of the Symptoms of Demonic Attack, like: uncleanliness, nudity, nerve disorders, sexual perversion, violence, unexplained illnesses, headaches, heart problems, and stomach problems, restlessness, compulsions, reliance upon drugs, suicidal tendencies, fantasizing, self-deception, confusion, extreme fears, depression, shyness, and continual spiritual failures!

G.     But best of all, we have learned now how to Repair the Breach – fix all the broken doors!

 

1.      Open the Door of your life to Jesus! Jesus is The Deliverer, the Repairer of the Breach!

2.      Realise That You Now Have A New Resident – the powerful Holy Spirit of God!

3.      Use Him to Shut The Door On Satan – Shut ALL the doors!

 

a.       Be willing to repent of (turn from) all habitual sins. 

b.      Destroy by fire all physical objects in you possession associated with the occult or false religions. 

c.       Destroy all personal possessions of drugs, alcohol, and pornography.

d.      Reject all wrong thoughts and run from all temptations to sin

e.       Confess to God the specific sins of your parents

f.       Confess to God all known sins in your own life asking for His forgiveness. This is not to be born again, but to be free from Satan’s dominance in your life!

g.       Tell God that you are willing to forgive everyone who has offended you and hurt you. 

h.      Then ask God also to forgive them. 

i.        Yield all personal rights that you have, to Jesus letting Him take control over all areas of your life. 

j.        Read, memorize, meditate upon and obey God's Word. 

k.      Join a local church and submit yourself to the authority of the Pastor.  Make assembling with other believers THE priority in your life to keep you humble, and keep your challenged!

 


Shutting the Door on Satan - Handout

Shutting-Off Satan’s Access to Your Heart and Life

Ephesians 4:27

I.        Introduction (John 10:10)

 

A.      Usually in the Bible, doors are openings, opportunities that God is laying out for us (as in Rev 3:8).

B.      But there are other doors that should NOT be opened.

C.      You see, the devil is not only a sneaky liar; he is a THIEF and a DESTROYER!

D.      So, if you want to quit being robbed by the devil, then there are some BIG doors that must be slammed shut!

 

II.      Message

 

A.      The House Concept (2Cor 6:16).

 

1.       Jesus describes a man as being a HOUSE, a dwelling place God!

2.       But more often than we are aware, our lives are dwelling places for evil spirits (Mt 12:43-45). 

3.       A human has three parts: body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and spirit (1Thes 5:23).

4.       Even a Christian may allow evil spirits to enter his body or soul (Acts 5:3). 

                                                                                                                                                                                

B.      The Door Concept.

 

1.       The mind of a man is like a big tumble-dryer of various thoughts that are constantly in motion.

2.       Our thoughts come from different sources:

 

a.       From God.  He speaks to us!

b.       From physical stimuli (the five senses: touching, taste, hearing, smelling, and seeing).

c.        From self (your own memory and your imagination).

d.       From the powers of darkness (evil spirits). They are very real!

 

3.       Man was given a “conscience” by which he can judge the purity of his thoughts.  (Rom. 2:14-15).

4.       Man was also given the power of his will to choose which thoughts to entertain or reject.

5.       When you choose (by your will) to entertain, to enjoy a specific evil thought, then you actually leave a door open for an evil spirit to enter into your mind and life.

6.       That is how Satan accesses our mind, and our feelings; by us opening a doorway!

 

C.      The Opening.

 

1.       Evil spirits crouch like wild animals at the door waiting for an opening to enter (Gen. 4:7). 

2.       The door may be opened by:

 

a.       An Uncontrolled Tongue (Prov 15:4)

b.       An Uncontrolled Imagination (2Cor 10:4,5)

c.        Fears (Matthew 26:69-74)

d.       Sinful Habits. (Eph 4:26,27)

e.        Stubbornness (1Sam 15:23)

f.        Emotional hurt.  (Prov. 15:13). 

g.        Any kind of occult involvement.  (1Chron 10:13).

h.       Drug, cigarette, and alcohol use.  (1Cor 3:17).

i.         Sins of your parents.  (2 Kings 22:13). Problems can be passed down upon you!

 

D.      Symptoms of Demonic Attack.

 

1.       Physical abnormalities

2.       Mental abnormalities

3.       Spiritual abnormalities

 

E.       Repairing the Breach (Amos 9:11) – fixing the broken doors!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

1.       Open the Door of your life to Jesus! (Rev 3:20; 1John 3:8)

2.       Realise That You Now Have A New Resident (Luke 11:22; 1John 4:4)

3.       Use HIM to Shut The Door On Satan (Gal 5:16) – Shut ALL the doors! (Eph 4:27)

 

a.       With God's help, be willing to repent of (turn from) all habitual sins.  Acts 3:19.

b.       Destroy by fire all physical objects associated with occult or false religions. Dt 7:25-26, Act 19:13-19

c.        Destroy all personal possessions of drugs, alcohol, and pornography.  Jam 1:14-15.

d.       Reject all wrong thoughts and run from all temptations to sin (2 Cor 10:4-5, 2Tim 2:22)

e.        Confess to God the specific sins of your parents.  Lev. 26:40.

f.        Confess to God all known sins in your own life asking for His forgiveness (1Jn 1:9)

g.        Tell God that you are willing to forgive everyone who has offended you and hurt you. 

h.       Then ask God also to forgive them.  Matt. 6:12, 18:22-35, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:59.

i.         Yield all your personal rights to Jesus letting Him take control.  Rom. 12:1-2, Rev. 3:20.

j.         Read, memorize, meditate upon and obey God's Word.  Rev 1:3, Psa. 119:11, Josh 1:8, Jam 1:21-22.

k.       Join a local church and submit yourself to the authority of the Pastor.  Heb. 10:25, 13:17.

 

4.       You will then watch your life be a habitation of the presence of almighty God, and no longer of Satan!