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The Six Powers of Satan and How to Overcome Them: Part 3

The Six Powers of Satan and How to Overcome Them: Part 3

 
The Power of Mammon (Human Economics)

In this six-part series, we are exploring the six powers of Satan and how to overcome them. The six powers of Satan are:

  • Lies—he is the father of lies
  • The kingdoms of the world with their imposed law with coercive enforcement—he is the prince of this world
  • Worldly economics—mammon, the false god of money, buying, selling, and owning
  • Accusations—he is the “satan,” the accuser
  • Temptation and division—he is the devil, the ancient serpent who tempts and divides
  • Death and destruction—he is the destroyer whose powers result in death

In part one, we examined the power of lies—how lies that are believed break the circle of love and trust and result in fear and selfishness, and how every human born after Adam’s sin is born infected with fear and selfishness.

This fear-driven, me-first survival instinct is the energizing motivator of the dark-side, and all of Satan’s various powers are used to increase fear and inflame selfishness, which gives him greater control over people—ultimately destroying love and the fruits of the Spirit out of the hearts of those who, in some way, turn to self and practice selfish methods to cope with the fear.

In part two, we examined Satan’s power of worldly governments, of using the rule of law, made-up rules, outward force, and inflicted punishments to coerce people, in contrast to Jesus’ inward-focused kingdom of heart change.

Here in part three, we will examine Satan’s power of mammon—that is, money. However, it is not merely currency that is Satan’s power, but the system of human economics that operates upon the principles of Satan’s kingdom.

The Power of Mammon

The core reality, foundation, behind all human economies are the laws of buying and selling and the principle of ownership. Nothing is free in this life; we must pay for it, and we must own it. We must purchase it with money, or labor, or trade—nothing is free. And the more we own, the safer, more secure, we feel.

This is exactly the opposite of how God’s economy works; it operates upon free giving, everything that lives gives and gives freely without expectation of payment.

  • Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8 NIV84).
  • Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24, 25 NLT).

The Bible describes God’s economy as a system of free giving. It is by giving away that we become rich. But this is nonsense to a fear-driven, selfish world.

In Satan’s kingdom, the more you take—hoard, store up—the more you have; if you give it away, you merely deplete your resources. It is only by consuming, taking, and possessing that one gets ahead in this world.

Mammon—the system of human economics—is a fear-built system in which nothing is ever free; everything is bought and sold, and we are owners—we earn our way. And all of it is based on arbitrary, made-up rules, imposed standards, enforced controls. None of it is established in how the Creator built His kingdom to operate, a kingdom built upon design laws.

This world’s currencies and prices are also nothing more than made-up constructs that assign value arbitrarily; there is no inherent value in a piece of paper with a picture of a dead president. It is assigned a value by governments based in Satan’s kingdom, and people are required to agree upon those values in order to use it and survive. Property ownership is equally arbitrary—who can own and who cannot. Do you have mineral rights? Can you drill or frack for oil? Can the state put a highway through the property it says you own? Who has water rights, grazing rights, and so on? All are established on made-up, arbitrary rules.

This is the opposite of God’s economy, in which everything operates upon the design law of love—the principle of free giving. With every breath we take, we give away CO2 to the plants; we receive oxygen back from them. The “price,” or amount, of CO2 we give to the plants is exactly what we produce based on the metabolism of our bodies. It is determined by design laws of physiology that govern those processes. God gives without respect to what is earned: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45 NIV84).

Jesus makes this even more clear in the parable of the laborers, found in Matthew 20:1–16. Consider what Jesus taught. Try using this practice in your business today and you will see quickly that the world does not operate on God’s economy. The laborers who worked one hour received the same pay as those who worked in the field all day. Is that fair? In Satan’s kingdom, it is clearly not fair—we get what we earn, nothing is free. In God’s kingdom, the economy is different—everything is freely given.

In the parable, the payment is eternal life; this is the reward, and it is given to all of us freely, if we will accept it. The field is the earth, where we work with Jesus to save souls. Those who worked all day and those who worked with Jesus for one hour both receive the same payment of eternal life. But those who worked all day have also experienced something else: The privilege of working with God, coming to know Him and His truths more deeply and, thereby, growing in character more fully. They are able to apply His methods earlier in their lives, becoming more skillful in laboring for Him, which means they become more mature than those who have worked only an hour. For instance, the thief on the cross came at the last hour, yet he still got the same pay (eternal life), but he did not have a lifetime of growing with God.

If one holds the economic model of this world, this parable appears unfair. Why? Because human economics are not based on the reality of love and the natural blessings that come with free giving, but on fear and selfishness, on getting the most for self in order to ease our fears. And all human governments make up laws to control the value of currency and material possessions.

Satan’s economy of buying, selling, and owning has also corrupted the gospel of grace. Mainstream Christianity teaches that Jesus came to pay our sin-penalty—a penalty that God cannot freely forgive; our salvation must be purchased.

As always, Satan sets up two false systems that he pits against each other, and then he gets people to pick one of the opposing sides and fight the other when neither is true. For example, Protestants argue that we have nothing with which to purchase our salvation, so Jesus paid the purchase price with His sinless blood. Catholics argue that our salvation is purchased by a combination of Jesus’ sacrifice and our good works.

Likewise, within human governments, Satan also sets up opposing systems of economy and then incites people to choose one or the other when both are equally his inventions. Worse, he gets people to fight each other to promote one or the other, even proclaiming one of the systems is godly even though both find their origins in Satan’s principles.

The Deceptions of Human Economy

Satan’s two modern economic systems that he pits against each other are Capitalism and Marxism (socialism). Capitalism is a system in which people, individuals, can own property—it is a system of personal buying and selling. Its primary motivator is the accumulation of wealth. Without governmental regulation and self-restraint, this system always results in abuse and exploitation, with a few becoming extremely wealthy at the expense of the masses.

Marxism identifies the principle of “ownership of property” as evil, but it proposes a solution that creates an even greater corruption and more vile outcome than Capitalism. The Marxist solution is that no one can own anything; all property is owned by the state. Marxism, which is supposed to solve the problem of worldly selfishness and ownership by restricting all property ownership to the state, creates a system in which the state becomes supreme over everything—including the people. And this is the big, embedded lie that most people who move toward socialism are blind to: In all socialist, Marxist, communist societies, the state is more valuable than the people. In Marxism, the individual is only useful as long as they serve the state. Rather than people owning private property, in Marxism, people ultimately become the de facto property of the state. And in every instance in human history in which socialism has been established, the governments eventually committed mass abuse—imprisonment, impoverishment, and even genocide—against its own citizens, which is why it’s an even grosser perversion of God’s economy than Capitalism. But again, Satan has set up these two systems and deceptively plays them off each other to control people.

God’s economy is the kingdom of love and free giving, the gospel of grace. The biblical metaphors of payment are not economic; they are objective achievement. If you donate a kidney to save your child who is dying of renal failure, you “pay a high price”—but the price isn’t an economic (and not a legal) price, nor is it arbitrarily or artificially set. It is the price reality itself requires to fix or heal the condition; and it is a price that love freely gives. God and Jesus did pay a price, but it wasn’t economic (it also wasn’t legal); it was the price our sin-condition required in order to heal and restore—and what love freely gave to save the object of their love.

It is fear and selfishness that causes people to want more money, property, houses, or possessions—all in a vain attempt to make themselves feel secure. It is fear that causes jealousy when we see others with more stuff than we have.

Satan exploits us with the fear of poverty; this fear leads us to embrace his kingdom and methods to avoid poverty by using his methods of taking from others through imposed laws or through stealing, exploiting, or defrauding; we set up governments that take from others so that no one will have more than another. But all of Satan’s methods only result in more fear and more selfishness, with more injury to others and greater divisions in society. No matter the good intentions, injury and harm always occur when Satan’s methods are practiced.

But we are not left under the powers of our evil enemy. The Bible says about Jesus:

  • Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15 NIV84).
  • No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37–39 NIV84).

The most critical point to realize is that all of Satan’s powers exploit or magnify fear, and what is it that casts out all fear? Love! It is God’s love in our hearts that is the key, being loved and loving others. Satan wants to separate us from God’s love and truth—but if we remain in God’s love, we are more than conquerors. But without love, real love, we will be destroyed by fear and all of Satan’s methods to try to cope with that fear.

It is the truth and love of God revealed at the cross that destroys the lies of Satan and wins us back to trust. Then in trust, we open our hearts and God pours His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). And His perfect love casts out all fear.

In that trust relationship with God, we rest secure in His love. We realize the truth that everything on Earth is the Lord’s, and anything the world recognizes as our property, we know is the Lord’s and we are His stewards. In that love and trust relationship, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus; we have hearts sensitive to the voice of the Spirit; and we live to give, to bless, to share the love of God with others in word and deed. We have surrendered our entire selves into God’s hand and trust Him with our future. Then rather than merely having the words printed on our currency, we live the reality: In God We Trust!


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I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

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My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA