7 Keys to Avoid Being Fooled by a Doctrine of a Demon!
2 Timothy 2:24-26
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Strategic Traps
Satan’s strategy is to ensnare us in our thoughts. In our spiritual war, he has set demonic IED’s (improvised explosive devices) all throughout the seven spheres of society. He wants to trick, deceive, entrap, wound, and destroy as many people as he can.
Thankfully, God’s word provides us with seven keys for the wise in heart that empower us to recognize the demonic logic behind his soul traps. But first, let’s lay a foundation.
The Greek word translated “snare” (Strongs g3803) means a trap, a trick, or a stratagem. Or you could say, the devil sets strategic traps.
Paul, the apostle, wrote the books to Timothy and the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, he says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
In my book “Structures & Strategies” on page 45, I share the real meanings of the English words translated as war and warfare. It refers to a strategic function and an apostolic gift. God made the apostle for strategy. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 reveals that the battleground is the mind, so what you think is really important. Why? Proverbs 23:7 reveals that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
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Don't be Ignorant of the Enemies Devices
What we think impacts what we believe, say, and do. Hebrews 4:12, 11:3, and Proverbs 18:21 reveal how powerful our words are. Life, death, and creation are in the power of the tongue. Used well, it can frame our world (Hebrews 11:3) or the unruly tongue can set the world on fire by hell (James 3:1-6).
I’ve highlighted the word thought in 2 Corinthians 10:5 above because it’s the same word translated as " devices in 2 Corinthians 2:11, which says, “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” His devices are like the IED’s (improvised explosive devices) used by Islamic terrorists today.
Strongs Concordance says g3540 means a perception, i.e., purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself: — device, mind, thought.
Satan’s End-time Strategy is to Deceive through Doctrines of Demons
A doctrine presents a system of thoughts and ideas. A belief system can be built into a stronghold. A stronghold of thought can be changed from good to evil or from evil to good. Hence, Satan’s propensity is to use lies and deception to entrap the unwise. Paul the apostle warns in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…”
Doctrines of demons are part of Satan’s end-time strategy to kill, steal, and destroy. Sadly, many who call themselves Christians, Evangelicals, Catholics, or you name the denomination have been seduced and fooled by a doctrine of demons.
The only antidote for his poisoned belief system is a vaccine regimen of truth drawn from God’s word. This truth should be self-administered, and when necessary, you can consult a teacher of God’s word, a doctor of theology.
The Greek word translated as " doctrine means instruction, doctrine, learning, or teaching. That in itself helps us understand why Satan has targeted the Education mountain. Why in America, many college campuses, secular and religious, have become the bully pulpit for his ministers and false prophets.
Strong's g1140 says the word translated “demon” literally means devil god. It’s an evil spirit, a messenger or minister of the devil.
In “Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil… but how?” it says, “The Strong’s Concordance says, devil (gk 1228), diablos, is translated as Satan, false accuser, devil, and slanderer. It’s also a metaphor for the prince of demons, the author of evil.”
The modus operandi of the devil is marked by false accusations, slander, and he writes and creates evil stratagems. Demons deceive. Deceiving spirits refer to spirits that pose as an impostor and who mislead or seduce.
So it should come as no surprise that the “author of evil” would develop doctrines or systems of teaching to impact the thoughts of men and women. Why? Because our beliefs impact what we say. In my article “Are Your Words
Empowering Angels or the Demonic. I describe why our words are so very important because even a Christian, through ignorance or by being deceived, can empower the demonic by what we say and do.
Wisdom Regarding Deception
The best lies and deceit include copious amounts of truth. If we liken our morals to a compass, you’d understand how the magnetism of the earth can impact a compass. It’s called deviation. Years ago, I was a pilot, and I learned a general rule. For every 60 miles I travel, a one-degree navigation error causes me to miss my destination by one mile. So in a 600-mile journey, I’d miss the mark by 10 miles.
It only takes a little deception to put you really off course. The further and longer you go without making a course correction, the more you’ll miss your intended destination.
Our Moral Compass is to be Corrected by Truth
The magnetism and attraction of earthly pleasures introduce deviation to our moral compass. The Word of God is the tool we should consult for True North. It's what we use to recalibrate our moral compass, which we use to determine the direction for our lives.
Recognize that Satan will pull out all of the stops to deceive. He’s an expert at using manipulation, guilt, lust, greed, and emotions to manipulate. Always remember, the best lies, the best deceit include lots of truth. Copious amounts of truth make it more difficult to spot the lie in a belief system. Satan and his demons utilize this tactic to trick, ensnare, and seduce even those who consider themselves Christian.
Keys to Avoid Being Fooled by a Doctrine of a Demon
Know God’s word! Read it daily and study it regularly. 2 Timothy 2:15
No matter what the issue or the emotions experienced, apply the filter of God’s word; the Truth. John 8:31-32 – … and you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. Remember, Satan is a murderer and the father of lies. John 8:39-44.
People are fallible. Trust in God first and foremost. Psalm 118:8 – It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
There are two sides to each story. Proverbs 18:17 – The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.
Be a spiritual man or woman who judges words and actions. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
Use fruit and character to discern who and what’s behind the issue and discover false prophets. It’s a great indicator of motive. See Matthew 7:15-20 & the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit shared in Galatians 5:16-25
The works of Satan and his demonic hordes are lies, lying signs, deceit, murder, stealing, destruction and lawlessness. John 8:31-44, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 and John 10:10.
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