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The Six Powers of Satan and How to Overcome Them: Part 4

The Six Powers of Satan and How to Overcome Them: Part 4

The Power of Accusation

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.

In part three, we explored how fear and selfishness are the basis of all human economics—which operate on buying, selling, ownership, and arbitrary realities—and work exactly opposite of God’s economy, which operates on freedom, love, objective reality, and free giving.

In part four, we will examine Satan’s fourth power, which is what the name “Satan” literally means: accuser. Satan’s fourth power is the power of accusation or allegation. He uses this power against us both internally, when our own guilt and shame causes us to accuse ourselves, and externally; that is, when others accuse us.

The Power of Accusation

Accusations are used to intimidate; to silence; to confuse; to incite guilt, shame, fear, and insecurity; to discourage; to defeat; to create hopelessness; to misrepresent; to deceive and mislead; and to manipulate.

God never uses accusations: “Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” (Jude 9 NIV84).

Satan and his agencies accuse, and in this world, we see this power wielded all the time. Nation states accuse each other of spying, of cheating, of election interference, of human rights abuse, of the exploitation of people of color, of environmental destruction, of unfair trade practices, of currency manipulation—and on and on the accusations go.

Politicians constantly make accusations against their political rivals. These allegations are designed to defame, malign, and disparage. Such accusations are intended to manipulate both the one accused—to get them to react, to move them in various directions—and the public. Just recall all the accusations flying through the media landscape during the last election cycle: racist, sexist, white supremacist, bigot, communist, socialist, leftist, anti-American, anti-military, terrorist, destroyer of the environment, killer, mentally defective—and on and on the accusations went.

Accusations are used to trigger fear in both the one accused and those who hear the accusation. In the one accused, accusations are intended to incite doubt, the fear of being wrong, which leads to fear of embarrassment and fear of inadequacy, which leads to fear of humiliation and what others think, which leads to fear of rejection, fear of losing position, power, and respect. These fears lead people to seek to protect themselves, typically through Satan’s methods. We retaliate against the accuser and seek to destroy them, either literally by killing them or figuratively by destroying their reputation, their public ministry or platform, or by having them fired from their job or getting them canceled—all in order to silence them.

Our counterattack, driven by our fear and need to protect self, is often done using Satan’s method of accusation against them: We accuse our accuser and, thus, we fall into the enemy’s trap, embracing his methods into our hearts and becoming just as much an accuser as he is. Yet, because we were accused first, because we were wronged, and because we already believe Satan’s lie that God’s law works like human law and that justice is achieved through the infliction of penalty, we deceive ourselves into thinking it is right and just and good to accuse and seek to punish our accuser for their attack on us. Oh, how diabolical our ancient enemy is!

It is our own fears, insecurity, and shortcomings that we have not surrendered to Jesus and overcome by His grace that causes us to accuse others, to find fault in others, to criticize and demean—especially those whose lives expose our own failings.

It is because Jesus’ righteous life exposed the hypocrisy and selfishness of the religious leaders of His day that they hated Him and accused Him of:

  • driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. (Matthew 12:24)
  • blasphemy. (Matthew 9:3; 26:65)
  • being unrighteous by associating with tax collectors and sinners. (Matthew 9:11)
  • not supporting God by not paying the temple tax. (Matthew 17:24)
  • breaking the Sabbath law. (Mark 3:2–6)
  • saying He would destroy Herod’s temple and rebuild it in three days. (Matthew 26:61)
  • being demon-possessed, insane, or mad. (John 10:20)

As our lives reveal Jesus ever more accurately, as we live His love more fully, as we speak truth more clearly, the light of heavenly love and truth shines into the dark hearts of those who prefer lies and selfishness. If they don’t repent, their own fear, their own guilt, and their own shame fill them with hate—hate of what they see in themselves. But refusing to repent, they deny the true focus of their malice (their disgust with their own weakness and sinfulness) and project all their rage onto the lights—those righteous saints of God, whose godly lives expose their wickedness—and they accuse the righteous of every kind of evil imaginable.

But Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11,12 NIV84).

Accusation is Satan’s fourth power, and it is used to trigger fear—fear of rejection, humiliation, embarrassment, and ultimately some type of loss. And this fear tempts us to act to protect self, to retaliate, to lash out, to defend, to accuse, and to embrace the methods of this world in seeking to make it right, to do justice through Satan’s kingdom and methods. And the conflict, the war, the fighting, and the destruction of hearts, minds, and characters continue as nation wars against nation, political party against political party, person against person.

We cannot overcome the Satan on our own—but Jesus has overcome all the powers of the enemy:

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, the central issue, is to remember that all of Satan’s powers exploit or magnify fear, but 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, and all his powers are designed to do that—but if we remain in God’s love, we are more than conquerors. But without love, real love, we will be destroyed by fear as we try to cope with fear by using Satan’s methods.

It is when we trust Jesus, when we know God and experience His love in our hearts, when we place our reputation, our position, our estate, our future into His hands, and stop trying to make ourselves feel safe, when we take the focus off our own security and instead focus on glorifying our Father in heaven by living out His principles in our daily lives, that we are more than conquerors—that Satan’s accusations have no power over us.

In our love and trust of God, we are called to:

Stay strong in your connection and devotion to the Lord and his mighty power. Arm your minds with God’s complete set of armor so that you can join the ranks of Christ’s soldiers and stand successfully in the face of the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, with man-made weapons, but against all individuals, entities and powers that misrepresent God and darken minds, and against Satan–the originator of lies about God–and his cohorts who also misrepresent God in the heavenly realms. Therefore arm your minds with God’s full set of armor so that when Satan’s grand deception comes and it seems the heavens are about to fall, you are able to stand; and when you have done everything to present the truth and expose Satan’s lies–don’t falter; stand! Stand firm, with the truth of God wrapped around you like a belt; with a righteous, Christlike character developed within–like a breastplate; and the peace that comes from accepting the good news about God–like track shoes providing good traction and a solid foundation. Also, hold fast the shield of trust, which extinguishes all the burning fear and insecurity brought by the devil’s temptations. Take with you the helmet of a healed mind–a mind protected from the assaults of Satan; and attack the lies about God with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God–the truth. And talk with God with an enlightened mind, intelligently, on all occasions, about all of your concerns, requests, plans, and issues. With all of this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for God’s people. (Ephesians 6:10–18 The Remedy)

So when accusations come, don’t give into the fear; instead, love your enemies, understand that their accusations against you reveal the sin-sickness in their hearts, and pray as Jesus did: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV84)


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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!

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Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

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Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

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I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

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When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

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I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

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Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

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Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

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Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

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I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

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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

 

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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

 

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I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

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