Daniel Moore: 0:02
Does prayer and taking authority in the name of Jesus give us power over demonic forces? Does Satan want to rob us of everything God wants to give us? As believers, how can we guard our hearts and minds against the lies and influences that may try to take us away from God's path? How do we overcome Satan's lies? Well, this week we answer these questions and more.
Daniel Moore: 0:27
On this episode of Connecting the Gap, we continue our series the Battle Within overcoming the Invisible War. We'll be back right after this, in a word from our sponsor. Are you ready to join the army of warriors who conquer all challenges life throws their way? Look no further than we Are Warriors Apparel at WeAreWarriorsApparelcom. Their merchandise is designed to empower and inspire individuals to overcome any obstacles standing in their path. From stylish, comfortable clothing to eye-catching accessories, their merchandise is crafted with utmost care and attention to detail. But what truly sets them apart is their powerful slogan Overcome. It represents the indomitable spirit within every warrior, urging you to push boundaries, shatter limitations and transform your dreams into reality. It encapsulates overcoming self-doubt, adversity and fears to emerge stronger and more resilient. With every purchase of we Are Warriors Apparel, you not only receive exceptional merchandise, but also a reminder to embrace your untapped courage and strength, from their overcome t-shirts that serve as a daily source of motivation to their overcome hoodies and joggers that symbolize your triumphs. Their offerings are designed to keep your spirit high and unstoppable. Unlock the potential within you and express it proudly through their high quality apparel. Step out into the world with an aura of fearlessness, knowing that you are part of the warrior clan that never surrenders. Don't settle for mediocrity. Embrace your inner warrior and let we Are Warriors Apparel be your partner in conquering life's battles. Visit WeAreWarriorsApparelcom today and equip yourself with the emblem of resilience, determination and the will to overcome. Together, we are unstoppable.
Daniel Moore: 2:42
Welcome back to the podcast. I'm Daniel Moore, your host for this podcast. Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule once again this week to sit down and go through another episode here of Connecting the Gap. We, of course, are continuing our series on the battle within overcoming the Invisible War. We've been into a couple of weeks of this so far. We've got a long ways to go, hopefully over the last couple of weeks as we scratch the surface here a little bit of this subject matter. Hopefully you guys have learned a little bit from that and maybe glean some information from those last two episodes that you might not have known before. If you haven't checked those out, I would highly suggest starting these from the very beginning so that you're kind of up to speed here on where we're going to be at this week with this series as it continues on. As these episodes come together, they are kind of in an order, so if you do miss an episode, you may possibly have to go back to catch the one prior to understand some of the things that are taking place in the newer episodes. So if you haven't subscribed and shared this, please subscribe to the podcast. You'll get a notification each week when a new one lands, on Thursday mornings and, of course, by you sharing, that gets more people out there the opportunity to be able to hear these podcasts and these episodes each week.
Daniel Moore: 3:54
And this battle is not a battle we fight on our own. Everybody fights this battle. Satan comes up against all of us, especially if we're Christians and we're trying to live a believer's life, if he's going to fight you from every angle, trying to get you to fail, trying to get you to go the wrong direction and to become more self-minded and just be who you want to be instead of who God wants you to be. That's Satan's whole, his whole purpose and this whole process. So we need to make sure that everybody that needs to hear this will get an opportunity to be a part of this podcast. So please share it on whatever platform that you have there to share on for your social media, and I would definitely appreciate that. Also, leave some comments where you can, or add to the discussion. If there's things you'd like to add to our discussions each week, I'd love to read those and, of course, if you have something you'd like to email me about, my email is Daniel at connectingthegapnet. Well, all that's out of the way. We're going to go ahead and get started this week as we get into part three of the battle within overcoming the invisible war. So as I start this week, I do want to remind you that our transcripts are on my website at connectingthegapnet. You can also find out about our podcast there as well. But if you'd like to get a transcript of each week as we go through this study to have a copy of your own, please feel free to go to the website and click transcripts and you will see the transcripts there for each episode as they drop Normally.
Daniel Moore: 5:25
My pastor and his family could sleep through the night. There was a time in the last year, though, that they couldn't. One of their daughters would go to sleep at night and have nightmares about bugs crawling on the walls. It finally got to where she couldn't sleep in her room at all without seeing the bugs. Our pastor prayed with her several times, but it just didn't seem to work. As he and his wife were praying, one night God revealed to them the truth of the whole situation. A demonic force was inhabiting their daughter's bedroom. He went to the room and began to pray. Then, with authority, he pled the blood over the room and demanded the demonic presence to leave the room in the name of Jesus. With the prayers he prayed and the authority he took in Jesus' name over the situation, the demonic force left for good Immediately. The next night, his daughter was able to sleep the whole night, all the way through.
Daniel Moore: 6:18
Again, prayer and taking authority in the name of Jesus gives us power over demonic forces. Jesus Christ has ultimate authority over all the spiritual forces, including demons, and as believers, we can access this authority through our faith and relationship with Jesus. Through prayer, we can invite God's power and presence into the situation, including in dealing with demonic forces. By praying, we express our trust in God's ability to overcome evil and ask for his help in resisting and overcoming spiritual attacks. Taking authority in the name of Jesus refers to invoking the authorities that believers have been given in Christ, this authority obtained through a personal relationship with Jesus and a belief in his sacrificial death and resurrection. By taking authority in the name of Jesus, we assert our spiritual position and claim the power and authority that Jesus has over all evil forces. When prayers combined with taking authority in the name of Jesus, demonic forces are unable to resist or withstand, this is because demons are subject to the authority of Jesus and through faith in him we can command these forces to flee.
Daniel Moore: 7:31
Throughout the evolution of popular culture, there's been a noticeable shift in the portrayal of demonic forces in the supernatural. The transformation reflects changing societal perceptions and beliefs about these subjects. In the earlier period, shows like Bewitched often portrayed magical or supernatural creatures in a more innocent or lighthearted manner. Most of the time, there was even a moral lesson involved in those shows. However, as time progressed, audiences began demanding darker, more sinister narratives, leading to shows and movies like Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, charmed, the X-Files and eventually, movies like the Exorcist, poltergeist and the Omen. In the earlier shows like Bewitched, the supernatural was often depicted as a source of humor and enchantment rather than something inherently evil. Witches, for example, were often portrayed as quirky and mischievous characters using their powers to create comedic situations. This portrayal reflected a more lighthearted and innocent perception of the supernatural, focusing on entertainment rather than fear or religious connotations. However, as societal values and tastes changed, there was a shift towards darker narratives and a desire for more intense and suspenseful entertainment. Shows like Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Charmed explored more complex and mature themes, delving into the battle between good and evil. The supernatural forces in these shows were portrayed as more menacing and dangerous, reflecting the growing fascination with the occult and darker elements of storytelling. The X-Files further contributed to the shift, popularizing the idea of the unknown in the paranormal. This series blended elements of science fiction, horror and mystery, creating a sense of unease and fear surrounding supernatural creatures and events. The show's success highlighted the increasing interest audiences had in exploring the unexplained and the sinister side of the supernatural. Eventually, this evolution extended to the big screen with movies like the Exorcist, poltergeist and the Omen. These films delved deep into the terrifying world of demonic possession and malevolent spirits, leading to a widespread cultural fear and fascination with the supernatural.
Daniel Moore: 9:53
The episode of Dr Oz featuring Tricia Caputo, a well-known medium and star of the reality TV show Long Island Medium, generated intrigue and controversy among viewers. During the show, caputo made various statements about connecting with the deceased and relaying messages from the spirit world. During her appearance on Dr Oz's show, caputo claimed to connect with deceased loved ones and provide details about their lives and personalities. Some viewers were deeply moved by these readings, feeling that she accurately conveyed information that only they and their loved ones would know. These personal testimonials added to the perceived credibility of Caputo and her abilities. However, as the process goes, caputo's readings can be attributed to tricks of perception, literal statements that apply to many people, or simply lucky guesses. This doesn't stop at television and film. Harry Potter and the best-selling Twilight series all started out as book series before becoming blockbuster hits. The Internet is also loaded with resources for the occult games, ouija boards and YouTube tutorials on practicing demonic activities.
Daniel Moore: 11:06
Our culture has become fascinated with the ultimate conflict between good and evil, not only in the outward manifestations, but in the underworld and the spiritual beings that inhabit it. Ephesians 6-12 in the Bible states, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers, over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. This verse suggests that there exists both a visible world, which is flesh and blood, and an invisible world, with rulers, authorities, cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil. It implies that there are spiritual forces that work behind the scenes, influencing and exerting power in the heavenly places. The visible world refers to the physical realm that we experience with our senses. It is the tangible, material world that we perceive through our interactions with other human beings and the physical environment. In this visible world, we encounter people, institutions, societal structures and natural phenomena. On the other hand, the invisible world mentioned in Ephesians 6-12 refers to the spiritual realm that operates beyond our physical senses and perception. It includes spiritual entities and forces. These unseen forces are depicted as rulers, authorities, cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil. These spiritual forces can influence and interact with the visible world, affecting individuals, communities and even larger contexts like nations. They play a role in shaping human behavior, societal dynamics and the broader spiritual battle between good and evil. As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual warfare against these unseen forces, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment, prayer and the armor of God to stand against spiritual attacks. We have to be convinced that there is an invisible war before we can take Scripture and learn how to fight against it.
Daniel Moore: 13:05
There are two stories that provide insights into the existence of an invisible world that is shown in the Old Testament. These narratives involve encounters with supernatural beings that are unseen to the human eye, revealing the existence of a spiritual realm. In 2 Kings 6, verses 8-23, the prophet Elisha and his servant find themselves surrounded by the Syrian army. The servant panics when he sees the vast military force and fears their imminent capture. However, elisha remains calm and praised to God, asking him to open the servant's eyes. Suddenly, the servant's spiritual eyes are open and he sees the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire representing the heavenly host that God has sent to protect Elisha and his servant. This story demonstrates the presence of a hidden and unseen spiritual world that intersects with the physical world. Similarly, in the book of Daniel 10, the prophet Daniel has a vision that transcends the earthly realm. Daniel's vision reveals that he has been granted a glimpse into the spiritual realm, where he witnesses a powerful angelic being. The angelic being informs Daniel about the spiritual battles taking place, describing how he was delayed by the Prince of Persia, a spiritual entity representing opposition and resistance. This account suggests that there is an invisible realm populated by angelic beings who engage in spiritual warfare, influencing events in the physical world. These stories reveal the biblical understanding that there is more to reality than what meets the eye. They reveal that an invisible world exists alongside the visible world, where spiritual forces interact and have a significant impact on human affairs. The Old Testament acknowledges the existence of this unseen realm, affirming the notion that humans are not solely bound to the material world but are also connected to a spiritual dimension.
Daniel Moore: 15:06
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul and John shed light on the distinction between fleshly and spiritual fortresses, emphasizing the battle between these two realms. In 2 Corinthians 10, verses 3 through 5, paul examines the nature of warfare in the Christian life, stating For, though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging a war against the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments in every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. Here Paul differentiates between the flesh and the spiritual realm. He suggests that the battles faced by believers are not merely physical, but are spiritual in nature. The weapons used in this warfare are not physical, but possess divine power capable of tearing down strongholds. These strongholds can be understood as fortifications or thought patterns that oppose the knowledge of God. Paul emphasizes the importance of capturing every thought and bringing it under the obedience of Christ, highlighting the spiritual nature of the conflict. Likewise, in 1 John 5-19, the author examines the distinction between the realm of the world and the realm of God, stating we know that we are from God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. This verse underscores the dichotomy between the spiritual realm of God and the earthly realm dominated by the evil one, who is identified as Satan. The author clarifies that those who belong to God are inherently separate from the world, which is under the influence of the evil one. Both 2 Corinthians 10, 3-5, and 1 John 5-19 emphasize the concept that there are spiritual fortresses and dominions that operate beyond the physical world. Paul suggests that believers engage in a spiritual warfare that involves tearing down strongholds and capturing thoughts, while John stresses the polarization between the realm of God and the realm of the evil one Together. These verses illustrate the New Testament's understanding of the existence of both fleshly and spiritual fortresses, highlighting the importance of recognizing and engaging with the unseen world that influences our lives.
Daniel Moore: 17:24
Francis Schaeffer's book True Spirituality explores the idea that there is content that makes up the material world and parallel content that fills the spiritual world, emphasizing the connection between these two realms and how we should live within that connection. According to Schaeffer, the material world encompasses the physical, tangible aspects of our existence. It includes everything from the natural elements of the earth to human beings and their interactions. However, schaeffer argues that the material world alone is not sufficient for a complete understanding of reality. In contrast, the spiritual world refers to the intangible, unseen realm that exists alongside the material world. It encompasses aspects such as morality, values, purpose and the transcendent nature of humanity. Schaeffer contends that there is a parallel content within the spiritual world that fills it, influencing and shaping our understanding and experience of reality. For Schaeffer, true spirituality involves recognizing and acknowledging the existence of this parallel content within the spiritual realm. He emphasizes that our beliefs, values and worldview should be rooted in this spiritual content. It is through our understanding and alignment with the truths and principles found in the spiritual realm that we can live a truly spiritual life. Schaeffer asserts that the connection between the material and spiritual realms is crucial for a meaningful and authentic existence. How we live in this connection involves integrating the spiritual and material aspects of our lives. It means embracing the truths and values found in the spiritual realm and allowing them to guide our actions and decisions in this material world. Schaeffer argues in his book True Spirituality that the material world is interconnected with the spiritual world. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the parallel content within the spiritual realm, aligning our beliefs and values with it and living in a way that reflects the connection between these two realms.
Daniel Moore: 19:27
Not only is there an invisible world, but that world is involved with an invisible conflict. Ephesians 6-12 says For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This verse indicates that, as believers, our battle is not against human beings, but rather against spiritual forces of evil that operate in the unseen realms. It highlights the idea that there is an invisible war taking place, where we are engaged in a constant struggle against these spiritual forces. 2 Corinthians 10-3-5 states For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments in every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. This passage emphasizes the distinction between the methods of warfare employed by believers compared to those used by the world.
Daniel Moore: 20:34
While worldly conflicts often involve physical weapons and strategies, our battle is fought using spiritual weapons provided by God. These spiritual weapons have the power to tear down strongholds and overcome mental and ideological opposition that goes against the knowledge and truth revealed by God. 2 Corinthians 4-4 says the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This verse tells us of the influence of the devil, who is referred to as the God of this age. This shows that the devil works to blind the minds of those who do not believe, preventing them from perceiving the truth in light of the gospel. This blindness contributes to the invisible war, wherein unseen spiritual forces try to keep people from recognizing and embracing the message of Christ. When we combine these verses, we understand that the invisible war refers to the ongoing spiritual battle that Christians face against the spiritual forces of evil. While we may not see these forces directly, they operate through various means to deceive, confuse and hinder the spread of the gospel and the growth of believers. As followers of Christ, we are called to equip ourselves with spiritual weapons, tear down strongholds and fight against the influence of the devil in order to advance the kingdom of God.
Daniel Moore: 21:58
In Luke 22, 31-32, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before his crucifixion. In this passage, jesus speaks to his disciples and reveals his awareness of an invisible spiritual battle that awaits him. Jesus begins by addressing Simon Peter saying Simon, simon, satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. That's Luke 22, 31. Jesus acknowledges that Satan, the devil, desires to bring them all to a breaking point here. The term sift as wheat refers to a process where wheat is separated from its chaff, a metaphor revealing Satan's intent to separate and cause turmoil within Jesus' disciples. Jesus understands that a powerful spiritual conflict is about to take place, not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Jesus continues by displaying his concern for Simon Peter. But I have prayed for you, simon, that your faith may not fail and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Daniel Moore: 23:02
Luke 22, 32. Jesus demonstrates his intercessory prayer for Peter, which emphasizes how he understands the weaknesses and temptations his disciples and all humanity will face In this crucial moment. Jesus himself is also struggling. He goes a little further from his disciples, falls to the ground and prays Father, if you are willing, take this cup for me. Yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22, 42.
Daniel Moore: 23:31
Jesus openly expresses the human desire to avoid the intense suffering that awaits him. He longs for God to take away the burden of the crucifixion, demonstrating his vulnerability, but he also surrenders his will to the Father's plan. Throughout this episode, it becomes evident that Jesus was tempted in every way. That ultimately means that he was tempted with anger, envy, lust, depression and a false belief that even if he gave his own life, people probably wouldn't accept his sacrifice anyway. So why bother? Satan confronted him with a desire for personal comfort and avoidance of pain. Yet Jesus finds the strength to overcome these temptations and carry out God's redemptive plan, ultimately conquering the invisible spiritual war In the Garden of Gethsemane, jesus reveals his understanding of an invisible war taking place.
Daniel Moore: 24:26
He recognizes that Satan desires to sift his disciples, causing division and struggle. Jesus experiences his own temptation to avoid suffering, but through fervent prayer he accepts God's will and overcomes the battle. This event serves as a powerful example of Jesus' victory over temptation and his journey towards fulfilling his mission and salvation for all humanity. Jesus demonstrated to the solution to us for the invisible war. He prayed a lot. There is a visible and invisible war. There is also a place where they intersect. We live in that place where they intersect. In the invisible war, our minds are the battlefield and the battle for our mind is always won or lost in our minds. We are going to take a break here for a moment. When we come back, we are going to delve into the final section of today's episode on Connecting the Gap, the battle within overcoming the invisible war. We'll be back right after this.
chataboutjesus.com: 25:36
What do you focus on most? Is it making a lot of money or wearing a size 6 dress? Maybe it's closing the big deal or finding the perfect spouse? Has this desire started to control you? If so, then you're not alone. Once Jesus was visiting the home of two women named Mary and Martha. Mary spent her time with Jesus talking and learning, while Martha stayed busy and flustered in the kitchen preparing a meal. Often we are kept so busy by what we think is important that we miss what really matters, in this case the chance for deep, abiding fellowship with Jesus. God doesn't want your effort, without your heart. He wants a relationship with you. The Bible tells us we are saved by faith through God's grace. If you want to learn what it means to have that type of faith and trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then call or text us at 888-NEED-HIM or chat with us at chataboutjesuscom. Learn how to sit at the feet of Jesus and find all you are seeking.
Daniel Moore: 26:56
Welcome back to this week's episode of Connecting the Gap. I'm Daniel Moore. Thank you for joining me this week. We are in part 3 of our series on the battle within overcoming the invisible war. As I start off the second half here, I want to start out with a story that Craig Rachele shared in his book Winning the War in your Mind. Craig says my friend Kevin served on our church staff as one of our pastors for close to 20 years before retiring.
Daniel Moore: 27:24
Way back in the early days, our staff used to play a game called Capture the Flag in our storefront church offices. We occasionally got violent as players tried to seize the flag, but because we were ministers, it of course was holy violence. Eventually, however, two people ended up getting injured, so we had to establish some guidelines. One of those rules was no attacks before 8am. I tend to get to work early, and one day I showed up around 7 and began walking to my office and my spidey senses went off. Something wasn't right. Suspecting a threat, I threw open a closet door to find Pastor Kevin hiding. I don't know if he had spent the entire night in there, but his plan was to wait patiently for a surprise attack at go time. But thanks to my superhero ability to detect danger, I thwarted his plan. I was so excited that I slammed the door shut, wears my foot against the bottom and yelled triumphantly you're going to spend the day in that closet, kevin. I grabbed a chair to secure my prisoner, chuckling maniacally. I said I'm putting a chair under the doorknob. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get a chair to fit, and because I couldn't move my foot from the door, there was nothing I could do to lock Kevin in the closet. Fortunately for me, I realized he didn't know that. He believed me. So, with all the fake confidence I could muster, I sold it. There's now a chair under the doorknob. Kevin, you can't get out. Yes, I lied, but I'm a pastor, so it was holy lying. Well, what did Kevin do? It's more like what he did not do. He never tried to open the door, he just believed my lie. Kevin started shouting let me out, let me out, please let me out. I don't want to spend the day in here, let me out of this closet. I couldn't stop laughing, because the door was unlocked. All he had to do is turn the handle and push and he would be free. But he just stayed in that closet.
Daniel Moore: 29:24
I had a premarital counseling appointment at eight o'clock, so I went to my office to meet with the soon to be married couple. At about eight twenty I heard something in the ceiling above me. Then I heard the noise again. It was Kevin. He had scaled the shelves in the closet and gotten up into the ceiling tiles trying to find a way out. When a ceiling tile suddenly poked out, I saw Kevin's eyes glaring down at me. I asked the couple to forgive the intrusion, then looked up and jokingly said If you wait till I'm finished with this meeting, I'll call the fire department and see if they can get you down. If not, you're spending the rest of your life in that ceiling. The couple I was counseling faced a dilemma Should they laugh or pray for the guy that was stuck up above us? Out of the respect for them, kevin waited the whole time the closet door was unlocked.
Daniel Moore: 30:18
You know, I wonder if you feel locked up or taken captive. If so, have you considered that you might be trapped in a self-made prison? You may feel held back from living the life you want to live, not experiencing the relationship you want with God, with little to no hope for the future. But are you? If you think you're trapped, if you believe there's a lock on the door, you've bought into the lie and it is the lie, nothing else that is holding you back. Yet if you identify that lie, then you can remove it. You can replace it with the truth and be free. Your liberation is a simple two-step process Remove the lie, replace it with truth. But the struggle in this process is very real and very hard, and it can feel like a war is being fought in your life, because that's exactly what is happening.
Daniel Moore: 31:11
Ephesians 6-12 tells us that there's an ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. That may not always be apparent to us. Bad habits can be seen as battles within our minds and spirits. Addictive behaviors or negative patterns may be influenced by spiritual forces that seek to keep us trapped and weigh us down. Breaking free from these habits may require recognizing and addressing the spiritual aspect of the battle, seeking God's intervention or guidance.
Daniel Moore: 31:40
Our temper can be seen as an area where we are susceptible to negative spiritual influences. These influences may ignite anger, leading to an emotional response that is out of proportion to the situation at hand. Recognizing the spiritual aspect can help us respond with patience, forgiveness and love. Instead of being controlled by our temper, spiritual forces of evil can provoke and amplify worry, fear and negativity in our lives. They can distort our perception, feed us with lies and create a constant state of unease. Recognizing the spiritual battle behind these emotions can prompt us to actively fight against them by seeking inner peace, practicing gratitude and turning to godly practices or beliefs that promote positivity and trust. Understanding that there may be spiritual forces at play in our struggles can provide a perspective that encourages us to actively engage in personal growth, seek divine guidance and develop spiritual practices that foster peace, resilience and positivity. It reminds us to be aware of the battle within our minds, emotions and spirits, and takes intentional steps to overcome negative influences and align ourselves with God in the plan that he has for us. Our minds are a war zone and we are in a battle every day. It is critical that we become aware of the fight. We cannot defeat what we don't confront.
Daniel Moore: 33:07
There is a statement that says the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist. This is a quote often attributed to the movie the Usual Suspects. Satan doesn't want you to believe in him, so he works subtly. He knows that if we ignore him, he has more freedom to invade our minds and plant seeds of doubt, worry, confusion, depression and anxiety, and then he causes it to grow.
Daniel Moore: 33:33
The Bible sheds light on the concept of Satan as an unseen enemy and highlights some of his actions and tactics. John 10-10 states the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. This verse presents a clear distinction between Jesus and the enemy commonly understood to be Satan. It reveals the contrasting purposes of Jesus, who offers abundant life, and Satan, who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Here Satan is portrayed as an adversary who works against God's plan for humanity by causing harm and destruction. First Thessalonians, 2.18, mentions For we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, paul did again and again, but Satan blocked our way.
Daniel Moore: 34:22
In this verse, the Apostle Paul refers to his attempts to visit the Thessalonian believers. That was hindered by Satan's interference. This suggests that Satan actively opposes the spread of the gospel and attempts to hinder the work of believers. This verse highlights Satan's opposition to the advancement of God's kingdom and the spread of his message. First Peter, 5.8, warns Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This verse depicts Satan as an enemy who actively seeks to harm and devour individuals spiritually. It emphasizes the need for believers to remain vigilant and spiritually alert, as Satan's tactics include deception, temptation and undermining one's faith.
Daniel Moore: 35:10
These verses reveal the unseen nature of Satan, portraying him as an adversary who seeks to rob, destroy, hinder and harm followers of Christ. They emphasize the importance of being aware of his presence and remaining spiritually vigilant. Although Satan may be unseen, his effects can be observed through the presence of evil, suffering and deception in the world. While different interpretations and beliefs exist regarding the exact nature and influence of Satan, these verses serve as reminders to stand firm in one's faith, recognize the opposition and seek the protection and guidance of God to resist the temptations and attacks of the evil one. It is through this awareness and reliance on God's strength that believers can overcome the tactics of the unseen enemy and live in accordance with God's purpose.
Daniel Moore: 36:00
Satan wants to rob you of everything that God wants to gift you. How does he accomplish that? He lies Just like Craig or Shell lied to his worker about the door being locked. Satan is a deceiver. John 8.44 presents Jesus describing Satan as a deceiver. The verse states you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Here, jesus addresses a group of people who oppose him and accuses them of being influenced by Satan. He characterizes Satan as a murderer and emphasizes that there is not one lick of truth in him. Additionally, jesus highlights that lying is Satan's native language. He is the originator of the lies. This portrayal presents Satan as one who actively deceives and distorts the truth. The designation of Satan as a deceiver aligns with the broader biblical narrative, where he is depicted as the tempter who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.1-5.
Daniel Moore: 37:12
Throughout the Bible, various instances showcase Satan's deceptive tactics, designed to lead people astray from the truth and undermine their relationship with God. As a deceiver, satan uses tactics such as manipulating perceptions, twisting truths and promoting falsehoods. His ultimate goal is to separate individuals from God's love, truth and his salvation. This deception may manifest in enticing people towards sinful behaviors, fostering doubt and unbelief and distorting God's character in his Word. Recognizing Satan's deceptive nature reminds us to be discerning and to rely on God's truth, as revealed in Scripture. It emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom, staying connected to God through prayer and meditation on his Word, and relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern truth from deception. By being aware of Satan's penchant for deception, believers can guard their hearts and minds against the lies and influences that might lead them away from God's path. This awareness also underscores the significance of cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life, as stated in John 14.6, enabling us to resist the deceptions of the enemy and walk in alignment with God's truth.
Daniel Moore: 38:29
Psalm 42.5 states why my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. This verse can be seen as a reflection of the Psalmist's internal struggle with negative thoughts and emotions. It provides insight into how we wrestle with our thoughts and the impact they can have on our lives. The phrase why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? This reveals a state of inner turmoil and distress. It suggests that the Psalmist is experiencing feelings of sadness, discouragement and perhaps even doubt. These emotions can arise from various sources, including false beliefs, negative self-talk or external circumstances. The Psalmist's response Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. This demonstrates an intentional redirection of their thought and emotion toward God. It encapsulates the remedy for wrestling with negative thoughts and beliefs. Instead of allowing those thoughts to continue dominating their mind and affecting their life, the Psalmist chooses to place their hope and trust in God.
Daniel Moore: 39:44
This verse teaches us a valuable lesson about the power of our thoughts and the importance of actively engaging in the battle of the mind. It acknowledges that we can be prone to believing and internalizing lies that undermine our worth, potential and relationship with God. When falsehoods are believed as truth, they shape our perception of ourselves, others and the world around us. This can lead to negative self-image, feelings of inadequacy and a diminished sense of purpose. However, the Psalmist's response also reveals the way forward. By intentionally turning to God and placing our hope in him, we can counter and challenge the lies that we believe. We can see God's truth through His Word and through prayer, allowing His perspective to reshape our thoughts and renew our minds. As Romans 12-2 states, wrestling with our thoughts involves recognizing the lies we have internalized, submitting them to the truth of God's Word and actively choosing to align our beliefs with His truth. It requires a willingness to surrender our negative thoughts to God, seeking His transformational power and relying on His grace to bring healing, restoration and a renewed mindset. As we actively engage in this process replacing lies with truth we can experience a shift in our thoughts, emotions and, ultimately, in our lives. We can grow in our understanding of God's love, discover our true identity and purpose and experience the peace and joy that comes from aligning our thoughts with His truth.
Daniel Moore: 41:17
Satan's strategy to win the battle for our minds often revolves around getting us to believe lies that hinder our spiritual growth and limit our joy and freedom in Christ. One significant aspect of this strategy is to keep us trapped in the shame of our past. By convincing us that we are defined by our mistakes, our sins and failures, satan aims to create a sense of unworthiness and separation from God's love and forgiveness. When we believe the lie that our past mistakes define us, it can lead to feelings of guilt, shame and self-condemnation. These negative emotions weigh us down, robbing us of the freedom and joy that God desires for us. Satan wants to keep us stuck in a cycle of reliving past sins and dwelling on regret, preventing us from fully embracing and walking in the redemption and forgiveness that Jesus offers.
Daniel Moore: 42:07
Furthermore, satan's lies can also trick us into believing that we are destined for a less-than existence. He may whisper thoughts such as You'll never be good enough, you don't have what it takes, you're unworthy of God's blessings. These lies can create a distorted perception of our value and potential in God's eyes, hindering us from living to our fullest potential and experiencing the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10. In contrast to these lies, god desires us to embrace the truth of His Word. He assures us that in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are washed clean in 1 John 1.9. God offers us freedom from the shame and guilt of the past and he invites us to live in the fullness of His grace and love.
Daniel Moore: 42:56
To combat Satan's lies, we must actively engage in renewing our minds with the truth of God's Word, such as in Romans 12-2. This involves seeking God's perspective on our identity, our worth and purpose. We can meditate on scriptures that affirm God's love, acceptance and forgiveness, reminding ourselves of the truth that sets us free, as stated in John 8.32. A key aspect of overcoming Satan's lies is to cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers. As we draw near to God, we open ourselves up to His transforming power and experience His love and grace in deeper ways. This helps us break free from the grip of lies and live in the joy and freedom that God intends for us. Avoiding Satan's strategies, rejecting his lies and replacing them with God's truth allows us to break free from the shackles of shame, guilt and a diminished existence. By embracing the truth of who we are, in Christ, we can live in the fullness of His love, joy and freedom, while leaving our past behind and walking confidently toward the abundant life that God has planned for us.
Daniel Moore: 44:08
When the legendary magician Harry Houdini came into town to do his show, he often went to the local jail, gathering a crowd of people along the way. To get Buzz going about his upcoming performances, he asked the jailer to lock him in a cell. Time after time, jail after jail, town after town, houdini escaped within minutes, but one jailer had heard that Houdini was coming and the jailer was ready. When Houdini closed the cell door, the jailer put the key in the lock and secretly turned it in the wrong direction. He then removed the key and everyone watched as Houdini struggled to escape by unknowingly locking himself in repeatedly. Finally, in frustration, houdini admitted he could not escape. The jailer then revealed his deception Houdini had believed a lie and the lie had held him captive.
Daniel Moore: 45:01
Living your life by a lie is a lot like believing the door is locked when it isn't. On the other side is freedom, but you first have to commit to some personal lie detection to experience the abundant life Jesus came and died to give you. We can become a victim of our own selves if we allow Satan to breed those lies within us and we accept the thought that it will never change. Jesus came and gave us a way to freedom. We must get past those lies and move into the truth of who we really are in Christ. That's going to do it for this week's episode of Connecting the Gap.
Daniel Moore: 45:36
Thank you, guys, for joining me this week for another episode of the battle within overcoming the invisible war. Next week we'll pick up again and get further into this study. Until then, you can visit my website, connectingthegapnet. There you can get a transcript of today's episode and all the previous episodes and the new ones as they are released. Also, I'd love to hear from you guys there's a contact page and email on my website and make a comment on YouTube, rumble or Spotify. There's places there that you can add to this discussion. Maybe some experiences that you've had along the way, some things maybe that you've battled or fought. We're all here to kind of build each other up and help each other out. That's what it means and being a Christian, we're here for each other, and some battles you guys have been through, others may be going through now, and if you've figured out the victory for that, there's something maybe that they need to hear from you. So jump in on the conversation wherever you can on your platforms you listen to us on, and that's going to do it for this episode. I'll be back next week. Until then, don't forget that God's Word never fails us. God's Word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.
Daniel Moore: 46:44
You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast. I'm Daniel Moore, the host for this podcast, and I personally thank you for listening. Each week In this world there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives. This podcast is births from the desire to share hope and restoration of the power of the gospel by being transparent and open in our biblical walk with God. Each week, we take a few moments as we navigate God's Word and peer into other people's testimonies and encourage each other to connect the gap.
Daniel Moore: 47:10
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