 Good morning and welcome everyone. Okay, so let's pray and we'll begin this morning's class. I'll just request one of us here to please lead and pray. Let's pray. Thank you for this day and this time. Thank you for this new life, for this new father who has given us today. We are waiting for your name. Lord, I am going to ask, I sound your hands. Lord, please guide us, give your patience, give your understanding power, give your concentration for spiritual father to be, understand your world. Lord, you talk with us through your voice and specially pray for us. Lord, you guide here, Lord, you teach us through your voice. Don't I pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you, Savita. Today, we'll move on to the next topic in our notes. This is in chapter four. So far, we have studied about an enemy that we have in Satan and we also saw how he functions, how his, like the other fallen angels of his kingdom whom we call as demons, how they function, how the kingdom is structured and the kind of activities that they are engaged in. And we also saw that we generally call them by the activities that they do. Like if it's a deaf spirit, mute spirit, blind spirit, then we term them on the basis of what they actually do. So all that we have seen now, we will come to the methods that Satan uses. Generally, the methods that he uses are the same. They have been the same through generations. And that is somewhat advantageous for us believers because when we see how Satan has tried to tempt others, we can prepare ourselves beforehand and be ready to overcome the devil. So the methods of working of Satan are somewhat similar over the ages. Let's quickly look at two verses. One is 2 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 11. If someone is there, you can please read that. And then another person could please read Ephesians 6 and verse 11. 2 Corinthians 2 verses 11. Yes. So that we would not be outwitted by Satan for we are not ignorant of his design. Okay. So could you please come again, once again? So that we would not be outwitted by Satan for we are not ignorant of his designs. Ignorant office? Designs. Okay. So maybe you are reading a particular version. In the NKJV, has anyone has NKJV version? Yeah, okay. Nelson will you could please read an NKJV version. What does it say? Lest Satan should take advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his devices. Okay. Devices. So basically the scripture is saying that when we are aware of the devices of Satan, we can overcome them. Devices. What does it mean? Devices simply means plot. Whenever we play a game, I know, you know, especially chess. Okay. So when you're playing chess, sometimes we have all these ideas. If he does that, I'll do this. I'll do, you know, I'll kind of come to a checkmate in these ways. Like you have these plots in your mind. You have these options in your mind where you're thinking about defeating the enemy or defeating your opponent in this case. So in the same way, what Satan does is against God's people collectively, as well as individually. He has plots. He's constantly thinking, how can I get this person down? Okay. His devices. There are schemes. There are ideas. There are plots that Satan has against all of us and collectively as a body, as people of God, he has these ideas so that he can bring us down. Those are called as the devices of the devil. You remember when we started discussing about believers authority, we said, we can make two mistakes in the case of the devil. One is to say that he doesn't exist. So if we say he doesn't exist, then in our minds, we must also believe that there are no plots. There's nothing which is coming against us. So life is smooth plain and we can keep going as we wish. The second error is to give him too much interest where we are thinking, okay, what are his plots? What are his schemes? So these two extremes have to be avoided somewhere in between where we know he exists. He has certain plots. And yeah, he is a dangerous enemy. But then with that in our minds, we are wise in living our lives. That is the in between place. And that's the best place for us to live. So notice, we are told that there are certain devices or plans, schemes, plots that Satan has against us. Now let's look at Ephesians 6 verse 11. Could someone please turn to this verse and read it? Ephesians 6 verse 11. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wild of the devil. Okay. So it tells us we must be clothed with the armor to overcome the wilds of the devil. What are the wilds of the devil? The translation of that term wilds is methods of working. Okay. Usual techniques or usual strategies that Satan has, we need to be aware. Sister, can you please go back and read it again? That line? Yes, sister. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wilds of the devil. Okay. So we are told that we have to put on the armor or in other words be prepared to face all the methods of working of the devil. Alright. So now let's discuss what are some of the methods that he uses? What are some of the common methods that Satan uses? Are you aware of any such methods? Sister, operation. Operation how? He oppresses the people of God. Okay. Oppression. Okay. Oppression is one method. Okay. Confusion. Okay. Very good. Any other methods you may have known? Personally experienced or? Sickness sister. Sickness. Okay. Temptation. Fear sister. Fear. Okay. Okay. Deception. Doubt. Confusion. Okay. Any other? Common. What are some of his methods that he uses? Apart from what we just shared. Anything more? It's there in our notes. So if you go back and look at the list, you'll probably be aware. So let me read it out for us. It says temptation, intimidation, intrusion, opposition, deception, oppression, possession, domination and empowerment. We are going to look at each one one by one. But before we get into it, look at a chart that is included in our notes. And for the sake of our e-learning students, I'm going to present my screen. Please give me a moment. Okay. So I'm sure the e-learning students can see the screen right now. So this is the chart that we are speaking about. Where there is a progression. And progression simply means it leads to an increase. So notice the arrow. It's going from influence to oppression to possession. And finally empowerment. When we look at aspects like influence and oppression. What we understand is Satan is mostly afflicting someone externally. External. It's not within the person, but these are external suggestions that Satan gives. And that's why we are calling first is influence. But when there's a strong influence, it can become an oppression. It can go to the next level. So influence is mainly outside. And when we give into the influence of Satan, that's when we can go into the next level. Slowly it leads to oppression. It may lead to possession and domination. So influence is generally external. So what are some of the influences that we may have? Temptation, deception. I can only hear Shan Shan because everything has a Shan at the end. You have to be clearer for me to be able to hear you. So which are the opposition? Opposition. Temptation. Yeah. We already listed out temptation. Deception. Okay. All right. So all of these things. Now, when it comes to the influence of the devil, how to overcome the influence that we will study later. But look at it like, you know, in a war situation, when you have enemies and they're shooting arrows at you, they're all outside. They're all outside us. But it's coming to us with us as a target. So that's influence. Satan is constantly trying to influence using any one of these methods. When we consider the life of Jesus, Jesus made a very important statement in John 14 and verse 30. Okay. That this particular scripture you should never forget in believers authority. So let's turn to that scripture and then we will continue. John 14 and verse 30. John 14 verse 30. Yeah. I will no longer talk much with you for the ruler of this world is coming. And he has nothing in me. Okay. So see the last portion of that verse. Jesus is talking about Satan and the rule of Satan. And he's saying that no matter what Satan does, he has nothing in me. Okay. He has nothing in me. That means that even if Satan influences, Jesus was living in such a way that Satan could never get a hold of Jesus. Okay. You remember the example which we gave for Beals above. We said if there is a plate of leftover food, which is rotting, then the bees can come and attract. So if there is something that allows the enemy to take a hold in our lives, then he can come and he can influence. We sometimes use the term open door. There is an open door. Open door can be sin. Open door can be a thinking pattern. Open door can be, you know, a certain lifestyle. There are so many things which are an open door. If there is an open door, then Satan can influence strongly. He can take us to the next level. But if there is no open door, then he cannot. So that is why what is Jesus saying? He's saying the ruler of this world is coming, but he has nothing in me. Meaning there's no open door. There's no hold. And so I'm safe. You know, in a sense that's what Jesus was saying. Satan cannot touch me. Satan cannot influence me. He cannot work through my life because there is nothing in me. There's no sin. There's no guile. There's no evil in me. So that's a tall order. It's a challenge. Whenever we talk about believers authority, we only think about commanding the devil. Commanding the devil and rebuking the devil, casting out demons. Yes, all that is there. But the first thing is our relationship with God. If there is nothing hindering our relationship with God, if things are pure, if things are clean, then automatically we are walking in great authority before the devil. You got it. An intimate life, a holy life, a righteous life. Satan can't even touch us because there is no open door into our lives. So always remember this. Believers authority is not just about rebuking devils. It's about walking right with God and that's the example Jesus gave us. He said, Satan has nothing in me. John 14 verse 30. Satan has nothing in me. So that will help us overcome the influence of the devil. How do we... What is another way to overcome I stated right, the attacks of the devil are like arrows. It's coming at us. How are we going to overcome that? Okay, raise this. Put on the armor of God, His word. Declaring His precious blood at the cross. Yeah, declaring His word. So that's also fine. Declaring His word. Now I'm asking us, when the arrow comes, is there any part of the armor which we can hold up against the attacks? Shield. Okay, so what is the shield that we have? Faith, correct. So even when we walk by faith, it becomes very difficult for the enemy to attack us. Because we are constantly trusting God. We are constantly holding on to God. Okay, so that is a little bit about the first aspect which is influence. Now in the image here, we'll move on, we'll move on from here. Influence, we will move on to oppression. Now under influence, many of the external suggestions have been included. Things like temptation, deception, intimidation, intrusion and opposition. Each one we will come to it. That time we will understand properly what they all mean. But for right now, they are all influences. Then second is oppression. Oppression is when it is affecting us. Affecting us mentally, affecting us, maybe even physically, right? So that is oppression. So it can turn into a sickness. It can turn into depression. It can turn into some sort of a strong hold or an emotional bondage. So all these things can happen. That is called as oppression. So as there is a progression of the demonic influence, it becomes a little more challenging to set the person free. If somebody is in the area of influence, they come to us and say, okay pastor, I am going through this temptation. I want to overcome. We can counsel them, we can give them from the word of God, the steps they can take, the scriptures they can quote. It is a little bit easier to come out of temptation. Now if they have already gone to the next level, they gave into the temptation again and again, and now they are in the place of oppression. Oppression, maybe by now, they have developed some mental patterns. It is more difficult to break that. Are you all understanding? It is just getting deeper basically. So when it comes to our intervention also, it will take greater faith, it will take more steps, better counsel and all that to help the person become free. So oppression, they can be in sickness or depression, some bondage, and we have to bring them out of that. Now if the person continues in that level of oppression, then comes the level of possession. What is possession? Possession is when the demons actually occupy the person's spirit. Spirit and mind, they can just take over. They can take over and they can actually work through the person. That's what possession is all about. And possession can be like let's say only sometimes or it can be all the time. So we see situations where somebody is possessed but they will not manifest throughout. Now let's say they come to a church service or somebody prays, then the person starts to manifest. But actually they are possessed. But there are times when a person manifests all the time. If you go back to the Bible Legion, you remember there was a man, he was outcast and he was asked to live in the burial place because it was very difficult for people to control him. Violent and just how do you say not very civil. So they said okay fine, you don't even live with the people, you just go stay out because he probably was manifesting all the time and he was not mentally stable. So these things happen. Sometimes the demon possession is so strong that the individual may not be sort of sane or conscious or be able to continue doing life the normal way. So then when we minister to them that will be a completely different thing. Why are we understanding the levels of influence so that we know how to help them. Okay that's the point. So sometimes people can be possessed and that may show some parts of the worship or any time it may manifest. But there are times when a person can be completely overcome by the demons and manifest the whole time. Okay that can happen. Now even beyond the possession there is one level that is known as empowerment. Okay empowerment. All this is there in the the graph or the chart here and I will explain it for us little more. So possession I think we have all understood influence. We've all understood operation. Okay quite easy. Then possession we've understood. Now coming to empowerment. Empowerment is when there is a person who is demon possessed. But the demons are now using that person as a tool or they are working through that person to gain more control. So who comes in the category of empowerment. Now sometimes we have people who have practiced witchcraft. All these occultic arts and all that and they have become so strong and deeply connected to the demonic world that they act as mediums between the demonic world and the natural world. You know they may they may kind of cause some communication to happen or some transfer of power. So they try to take the power from the demonic world and then they use it on many people. Such individuals are generally empowered by demon spirits. So if you go back to the book of Acts okay Acts I think chapter 13 over there Paul meets one official surges Paul is while he's trying to share the Gospel he's not able to because there is a man there's a sorcerer who is stopping this person from receiving the Gospel. His name was Elimus bar Jesus and so Paul first had to overcome the power of this man the sorcerer before the Gospel could be revealed to the individual that he was ministering to. So the sorcerer was that person with empowerment at that point now you find many such examples if you go to act chapter 8 there is a name there is a person by the name of Simon Simon the sorcerer Simon was so powerful in the in the demonic in the occultic things that people used to call him God he can do he used to do so many miracles wonders and people would be like wow how does this man do all these things but the answer is there is there is another source people can do supernatural works but from the wrong source ok so Simon the sorcerer he was also someone who was empowered by demons so like that even today we may find that there are people who go beyond that level of demon possession they become an instrument in the hands of demons to control many people and why do they do it there can be so many reasons maybe they want power they want money they want fame they want so many things and when they are greedy after those things they don't mind going the wrong way through the demonic so that is what empowerment is all about so these are the levels now when we talk about increasing going under the influence of satan and demons for us as believers another thing that we have to clarify is a believer can never be possessed ok let's get that straight in our minds a believer can never be demon possessed why can't we be demon possessed sister because the Holy Spirit lives in us inside of us yes Holy Spirit lives inside of us and that's what Akhil was saying he who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world so when we study scripture we are told that we are the temple of the living God 1st Corinthians chapter 3 verse 16 we are the temple of the living God when we say that there is a temple what is a temple what is a temple yeah it's where God dwells or we can also put it as God's house God lives there and the Bible says that we collectively as believers we are the temple and also our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ok that means God is living when God is living how can demons live either God or demons right so God is living even though demons cannot live in our spirit that is why a believer can never be demon possessed we don't have to be afraid of being demon possessed Ephesians 3 17 there is another verse also it says Christ dwells in our hearts Christ dwells in our hearts that again is an assurance we can never be demon possessed alright fine so that we have understood but after having said this you know can do we notice that people come under strong demonic influence believers yes so we are we are saying that God lives inside us Christ dwells in our hearts a believer cannot be demon possessed then what is this influence how can they be so influenced correct yeah so most of the time in the lives of believers how Satan affects us is he literally needs our permission without our permission he cannot do anything in our lives so Ephesians 4 27 it talks about a foothold don't give the devil a foothold foothold again is an open door it's some space that we give the devil in our lives by the choices the decisions the behavior the lifestyle that we carry so when we love him we give him the foothold or the open door that's when he can come in and he can influence us okay so don't give him a foothold what will he do if he comes the Bible already says he comes to steal to kill and to destroy so there will be destruction as a result of Satan influencing us okay so this is how demons can influence a believer only if we allow them to and I think in the last class I also shared with us that the influence of the devil particularly when demons have taken charge in a believer's life we call it demonization we don't call it demon possession so we should never say when we look at any believer even if they are manifesting sometimes demonized believers can manifest like demon possessed unbelievers but even then it is not demon possession we should never say demon possession for a believer okay so demonization may happen manifestation may happen but where are the demons taking charge I explained that it's in the mind okay in the mind the demons can come and they can sort of occupy the strongholds they can occupy the strongholds that have developed over a period of time with the believer walking in sin continuously and you know maintaining that wrong lifestyle demons come they take charge and that is the stronghold now what did we say earlier when we are at the level of influence it's easy like when we are just trying to overcome temptation and we are just trying to overcome some kind of an accusation deception of the devil it's a little easier but if the person has been under the influence and is let's say oppressed now right to a greater degree they have the influence of demons it's a little more difficult okay so in the same way when they have progressed so much even as a believer when they have progressed in the wrong lifestyle or you know not had faith or not meditated in the word of God strongholds are created and demons take charge so at that point how are we going to minister to this believer it will look a little similar to how we are going to minister to unbeliever we will have to cast out the demons cast out the demons from believers okay cast it out and then also help them as far as you know their minds are concerned we will have to pray with them teach them the word help them reestablish themselves in the word of God so then the strongholds are broken then there is no place for the demons to come back so that's how it works but we'll go into deliverance little bit later I just shared all this for us to gain a better understanding yes Akhil Mike please so how do you differentiate between demonization and manifestation see demonization manifestation is what manifestation is how you know demonization presents itself okay like we may have a demon person's man screaming or shouting like how legion like I'm going back to the same example there was certain behavior which was obvious and visible that is what we call as manifestation okay demonization is the person can be demonized but they may or may not manifest they may not manifest also but is there a demon there is so manifestation is when we can see that person presenting the demon is presenting itself by what it does that is manifestation basically what we are discussing here is like a believer need not be demonized he cannot be demonized but he can be a victim of manifestation by his or her activities or yeah so see there are a couple of words I'll just clarify it again one is demon possession which we will never use for a believer okay that is out now coming to the other two things here one is demonization demonization demonization means that a believer has demons okay manifestation manifestation means the demons are showing themselves I'll just give you some examples like you know they the demons are there and they may do something yeah like activities like being violent or screaming shouting falling down or you see all kinds of things I've seen people ride like snakes right like they're people but they're just moving like a snake and you're like what is going on it's a manifestation there's a demon it's causing those things once I saw there was one girl and she just didn't stop making different poses like she was like behaving like a dancer and she was constantly making poses this was a meeting we had gone for a meeting it was a youth meeting in fact and she just didn't stop doing that so different pastors were just going and they were praying to cast out the demon so when the demon shows itself through these activities that is what we call as manifestation now manifestation alone is not the you know the thing that reveals there's a demon the person who has a demon may not even be manifesting they can be so quiet also so don't go by the manifestation as such but yes sometimes it's very obvious we notice the manifestation and we can tell okay is everyone fine with that or any any other questions around what we've just discussed okay so far so good okay then we can move on to the next topic here I don't think we'll be able to complete it because we have like about 5-6 minutes left so let's start it then we can come back and discuss so one of the influences that Satan commonly uses is temptation and we are all familiar with temptation what is temptation temptation is Satan trying to suggest and attract us into skin so that is what temptation is he will present things in such a way that it will be so exciting and he wants to lure us or he wants to draw us into doing those things which will lead to destruction when we think about temptation you know it can be quite hard it can be very difficult to go through temptation there are temptations of all kinds okay we'll come to it later on but one of the realities in scripture is that even Jesus went through temptation you know sometimes we say that oh it's so hard to be a human being it's so hard to go through the challenges of being a human being what does God know God made God doesn't know anything what I'm going through but that would be incorrect because we know that Jesus also was tempted Satan never spared Jesus do you know any stage or point in Jesus's life where he was tempted 40 days yeah when he passed it for 40 days then Satan came and then he was tempting him regarding power right and fame like I will give you everything you follow me so he tried to tempt him with fame and power and authority but thank God Jesus knew the word the word was in him and then he kept saying no it is written it is written and Jesus overcame the temptation even when we look at the Garden of Gethsemane think about this Jesus came to a point where he said is it possible to change this plan he asked God so he must have been through a lot of pressure right emotional struggle mental you know like difficulty challenges to think that he has to go through so much pain and affliction but then thank God he overcame so Jesus also went through temptations when we read in the book of Hebrews we find that scriptures tell us that he was tempted in every way yet without sin so that is a great lesson for us it's a great example a great pattern before our eyes that the Lord Jesus even though he went through temptation all kinds of temptation what is a lesson for us to take from his life he never sinned so these are two things two separate things we can be tempted but we need not sin temptation itself is not sin you got it when we are being tempted and we may be struggling under that temptation that itself is not sin but when we yield to the temptation that is sin so Jesus also was tempted tempted at all points but what is the lesson okay what is the encouragement from his life he was sinless so that helps us to know that okay even if Satan or his demons tempt us we can overcome right we can live an overcoming life fine so let's stop at this point let's take a break we will come back and we will study more about temptation and other influences