Don't Give Place to the Devil

(Last Day Unleavened Bread)

Fred R. Coulter—April 3, 2002

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Greetings, brethren! This is the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and at sundown tonight you can have some leavened bread. One of the things I've always tried to do is go out and have a hamburger that night after sunset; it's perfectly legal and fine. As you know, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread leaven is a type of sin. As we will see when we come to Pentecost, leaven is not always a type of sin, but leaven can also picture something else. We'll save that for Pentecost.

We know all the Holy Days here in Lev. 23. The thing that is important to understand is that these are the Feasts of God. Even though the Jews claim them for themselves, they don't belong to the Jews. They did not originate them. They did not invent them. God gave them to all the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. It's important for us to realize that whatever we have in the Bible, these are the words of God. If God would come down and talk to us today, He would tell us exactly the same thing that we have here. This is why it has been written and preserved for us, so that we may be able to understand God's way.

Leviticus 23:1. "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, "Concerning the appointed Feasts of the LORD…" God is the One Who:

• owns these
• created them
• sanctified them
• has made them Holy

"…which you shall proclaim to be Holy convocations…" (v 2)—appointed times!

These are appointed times that God has given us to come before Him! He starts out the Holy Days by saying:

"…even these are My appointed Feasts" (v 2). Then He begins with the Sabbath!

Verse 3: "Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a Holy convocation. You shall not do any work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings."

We keep the Sabbath week-by-week. It is very important that we do. The reason why it's so important that we do is because we fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ on the Sabbath Day in a special way that we do not have any other day of the week, with the exception of the Holy Days, as the annual Holy Days come to us.

God does a special function with His Holy Spirit and with His Word, that IF we come to Him in prayer and study, and come together as brethren to fellowship together and learn of His way, THEN we have a spiritual blessing. Always remember this: that we need the Sabbath every week. Every seven days, because spiritual knowledge does not stay in a carnal mind, and it must be renewed. It must be built up. So, this is why we have the Sabbath every week.

Verse 5: "In the fourteenth day of the first month, between the two evenings, is the LORD'S Passover, and on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD.…" (vs 5-6).

We've been eating unleavened bread every day; today is the last day of it!

Verse 7: "On the first day you shall have a Holy convocation. You shall not do any servile work therein, but you shall offer a fire offering to the LORD seven days. In the seventh day is a Holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein" (vs 7-8).

On all the Holy Days we always take up an offering. Remember, as we have pointed out, by taking up an offering and bringing it to God, you are honoring God! You are showing Him by the things that He has given to you that you give back to Him, that you understand that everything that you have has come from God.

(pause for the offering)

Every one of the Holy Days beginning with the Passover has a great significance in the plan of God. Not only as we have seen in the Old Testament beginning with Abraham, and then down to the children of Israel, and then down to the New Testament Church. God does specific things. There are memorials of these days in the Old Testament, and I am sure that there will be a future fulfillment of these things for us as we come down toward the end of the age, because these days are days that God has set.

Now, with the children of Israel, this last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread has had great importance. There are great lessons for us. After they left Egypt with a high hand and were marching out and going toward Mt. Sinai, God brought them down along side the Red Sea. He deliberately entrapped them between the mountains, the Red Sea, and then Pharaoh and all of his host and chariots and armies came after them.

If we look at Pharaoh as a type of Satan, and if we look at all of his armies as a type of the demons, then we can see a spiritual parallel for us. We can see that this day has great significance because if we are matched up alone against Satan and his demons, just like the children of Israel if they would have been matched up with Pharaoh and his soldiers—not having any arms, not having any defense—they would have been slaughtered; an easy picking for them.

That's what Pharaoh thought, so he went after them. So, when the Israelites saw Pharaoh coming they:

• began to waver in their faith
• began to waver in their belief of God

As a matter of fact, they really reverted back to their old carnal ways. Of course, they were carnal because they were never converted. But let's look at the attitude that they had here. Let's see the account that took place on the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread when God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Exodus 14:10: "And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes. And behold, the Egyptians marched after them. And they were very afraid. And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. And they said to Moses…" (vs 10-11).

They complained! The first thing you do is complain against the man. They said:

"…'Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness because there were no graves in Egypt?…. [wasn't there enough room in Egypt for graves for all of us?] … Why have you dealt this way with us to carry us forth out of Egypt? Did we not tell you this word in Egypt, saying, "Let us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians?" for it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness'" (vs 11-12).

Egypt is a type of the world. Lots of times when God calls us and we are confronted with difficulties and problems we may begin to think the same thing, because the world is nice, modern, comfortable, and everything out there is available. Before God called you, you didn't have any of these problems.

God began to deal with you, and you didn't understand that when God began to deal with you there would come a day when you would:

• have a problem
• have a difficulty
• have a trial

and you would have

• no resources
• no ability on your own to fight these problems or to overcome them

God has designed it this way because this is the way we are tested in our faith!

• Do we really believe in the good times?
• Do we really believe in the bad times?
• Do we believein the difficult times?
• Do we believe in the times when it looks like there is no way out?
• Do we believe in the times when it looks like there's no answer?

It looks like that the calling of God may have even been a mistake. Just like the children of Israel, they were accusing God here; that 'You took us out here and God, this must have been a mistake.'

Verse 13: "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not!.…"

This is the whole message for this day. You need to understand that the battles that we are fighting, we're going to win. Every single one of them.

Just like the children of Israel here. Everything was against them, except God was for them! If God be for you there is nothing, there is no one that can be against you!

I dare say none of us has had a problem as great as the children of Israel faced right there at the Red Sea. How are they going to get across the Red Sea? Moses didn't even know, but he knew this from all the miracles, powers, signs and wonders, which we have already covered that were done in the land of Egypt to release them, including the Passover night when God slew the firstborn of all Egypt. Moses knew that God would deliver them; this is why he said:

"…Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD…" (v 13). So, there are times that we need to stand still! That means:

• stop
• stand still
• don't complain
• look to God
• for the salvation
• for your deliverance from this problem

"…which He will work for you today, for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again! The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall be still" (vs 13-14).

IF you go to God in faith and ask Him to fight this battle for you, it is too much for you, you are overwhelmed with it, and you have completely expended and exhausted all of your own resources and all of your own efforts. THEN you go to God and say, 'God, this is Your battle. You need to fight this battle for us." The Lord will fight for us.' Now we have things that we need to do, too!

Verse 15: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward. And you—lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And behold, I am about to harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. And I will get honor for Myself upon Pharaoh, and over all his army, over his chariots and over his horsemen" (vs 15-18). That's what happened!

Moses held out his rod. The wind blew all that night, and blew the sea back and made a great wide swath for the children of Israel to go through. Not like the one that you see in the movie The Ten Commandments, a little narrow channel. All the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea in mass, and did so in the morning watch. It was so impressive that Pharaoh thought he could go in there and come after them. He looked down and there was the dry ground, so he said, 'Charge on.' He charged on and God closed the Red Sea over them, and caused them to drown in the Red Sea, and all of them died!

Then there was a great victory song (Exo. 15). Marvelous victory song!

• God is the One Who won the battle
• God is the One Who killed the enemy

So, we need to understand that's what God will do for us!

Exodus 15:2: "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will glorify Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a Man of war; Jehovah is His name" (vs 2-3).

What we need to do is also project forward and realize that likewise again, when Christ returns, He's going to do the same thing to the beast and the false prophets and their armies. Well, we're getting ahead of ourselves, a little ahead of the story here.

There's something that we have to do. God will fight for us, that is true! No question about it! God will intervene for us, but we have things that we need to do. Like it said, "…Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD…" and tell the children of Israel to go forward! That's what we need to do!

When they were getting close to Rephidim, then Amalek, one of the enemies of God, one of the hated enemies of God, came and fought against the children of Israel.

Exodus 17:8: "Then Amalek came and made war against Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose men for us, and go out to fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.' And Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought against Amalek. And Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. And when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed" (vs 8-11).

Here's a type of God just intervening with our weaknesses. But it shows that we have things that we need to do:

• Moses had what he had to do
• Joshua had what he had to do
• the children of Israel had what they had to do

So, the long and short of it is, the way that they overcame the problem was that they rolled a big stone and put it under Moses hands so he could hold his hands up, and then Joshua prevailed.

After Amalek was defeated, we need to understand that we are going to fight Amalek again in every generation. When the Jews were in captivity in Persia, Agag, the man of Hammedatha, and Agag is one of the sons of Amalek. He wanted to destroy all of the Jews. In the book of Esther, God had to intervene in a supernatural way to save Israel from Amalek. Here's what God said concerning Amalek:

Verse 14: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Write this as a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.'" Not all at once!

Verse 15: "And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it The LORD My Banner. And he said, 'Because the LORD has sworn that the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation'" (vs 15-16).

Also understand that Amalek was one of the sons of Esau. So we have this antagonism. We have these things going on. In the world today and for the New Testament these things have special significance for us. I want you to go back, and I want you to read and study, and understand the things that happened to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt, and the troubles that they had. These are examples.

Let's see the significance of passing through the Red Sea on the last day of Unleavened Bread, and how it relates to us! These things are written for our examples. Today we live in an age and a time when we are confronted with so many things. It's so easy for us to get into the attitude of

• complaining
• accusing God
• we don't have it nice and easy-going all the time that somehow God is at fault

1-Corinthians 10:1: Paul writes: "Now, I do not wish you to be ignorant of this, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…. [the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread] …And all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And they all ate the same spiritual meat. And they all drank of the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them. And that Rock was Christ" (vs 1-4).

This shows an absolute Scripture that Jesus Christ was the LORD God of the Old Testament! There are some people who have been in the Church for decades who now say that they are convinced that Jesus did not exist until He was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. Overthrowing all of the Scriptures, Old Testament and New Testament, which show the Truth of the nature of God. Here's one! You can't get around them! "…And that Rock was Christ."

Verse 5: "But with many of them God was not pleased…"

We have to say the same thing today. Look at what has happened to the Church of God. Look at how it's been scattered into so many, many different small groups. There's a reason for it.

• God is testing us
• God is trying us
• God is proving us

God wants to know:

• Do you love Him?
• Are you going to seek Him?
• Are you going to depend upon Him?
• Are you going to have faith in Him?
• Are you going to trust Him?
• Do you love Him through all circumstances?

• we are going to face our own Red Sea
• we are going to face our own Pharaoh, being Satan the devil and his demons

When these things come along, do we put ourselves in a position that God is not well pleased with us? You see, take all of the troubles, all of the difficulties as a challenge to come before God and let Him work it out. Let Him open the way. Let Him open the Red Sea in your own life so you can walk through on dry ground! But you have to come before God, and many times just say:

God, I don't know. I don't have the way. This is too much for me. This is more than I can handle. Please just intervene, God, and do like You did for the children of Israel.

Claim the promise of God:

• for His name's sake
• for His great reputation
• for what Christ has done for you

You will get through these battles! You will overcome them!

God wasn't well pleased with them; go back and read all the rebellions that they had. We covered that in the series we did in the book of Hebrews.

"…for their dead bodies were strewn in the wilderness. Now these things became examples for us, so that we might not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.' Neither should we commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and twenty-three thousand were destroyed in one day" (vs 5-8).

That was with the golden calf that they made. What a horrendous example that was. Aaron was to blame for leading them into that and giving in to the children of Israel for building their idols. You know today we have not only just religious idols, but we have so many things that can become idols for us. So many things, in the world, in our lives, and all around us.

Let's understand that when we come to the point of complaining, coming to God and accusing Him, then we are tempting Christ!

Verse 9. "Neither should we tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted Him, and were killed by serpents."

What we need to understand is that IF God meant business with the children of Israel THEN, pray tell, does God also mean business today in a spiritual sense with us? Of course!

He has called us to the greatest calling, to the greatest thing that can be! We need to take these examples and learn from them.

Verse 11: "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages are coming. Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall" (vs 11-12).

• here's a comfort
• here's a promise
• here is something you can always rely upon

Come to God and claim as His Word of Truth given to you so you won't be overwhelmed with problems that are:

• greater than you can handle
• too much for you to bear
• too much for you to shoulder and burden

Put them on Christ!

• let Him work it out
• let Him open your Red Sea
• let Him give you the way of escape

Just like He did the children of Israel!

Verse 13: "No temptation has come upon you except what is common to mankind. For God, Who is faithful, will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; but with the temptation, He will make a way of escape, so that you may be able to bear it." So, there is the tremendous lesson for us in this day and age!

The whole purpose of the Gospel is to bring us out from underneath the world and Satan the devil, and is for us to overcome ourselves. Paul shows that this was his whole mission, the whole purpose of his ministry and teaching.

Acts 26—this is when Saul was called before he was named Paul; after he was struck down by the Lord. I said one time that God knocked him off his donkey. It doesn't say he had a donkey, but nevertheless he fell to the ground, whether he was on a donkey or whether he was walking. It doesn't say there was a donkey, it doesn't say there wasn't a donkey, so to assume there was, it's not wrong. To assume there wasn't is not wrong. It doesn't say. But nevertheless…

Acts 26:15: "And I… [Saul/Paul] …said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.'"

Understand that whenever any of the brethren are persecuted, it is persecution against Christ! Each one of us have Christ in us, and if we are persecuted, Christ is persecuted! That's why if these persecutions come upon us then we need to realize that they are also persecuting Christ. Christ is not going to stand still for it.

Verse 16: "Now arise, and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a minister and a witness both of what you have seen and what I shall reveal to you"—and Paul did! He spent over three years in the Arabian Desert being taught directly of Christ.

Verse 17: "I am personally selecting you from among the people and the Gentiles, to whom I now send you to open their eyes…" (vs 17-18).

That is a spiritual blessing that comes with preaching with the Spirit of God working and activating,:

• by the inspiration of the preaching
• by the inspiration of the hearing
• by the action of the Holy Spirit upon the hearers and the speakers

Verse 18: "To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to Light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified through faith in Me."

That's the whole purpose of this day, to release us from the power of Satan the devil! But Satan is not done coming after us. He will come after us again, and again.

Let's see how the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians on the great calling of God. It is God the Father Who has done this. Remember that the ones whom God calls, God the Father Himself calls! In answering the call, you are answering the call of God the Father. That's a very humbling and a very awesome thing to contemplate. That the great ruler of the universe, God the Father Himself:

• has called you
• has selected you
• has given you the Holy Spirit
• has delivered you from Satan the Devil

And is going to fight every one of your battles for you through Jesus Christ! That He send His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your stead.

Colossians 1:12: "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has made us qualified…"

God the Father is the One Who qualifies us through Jesus Christ, with the power of His Spirit, by growing and overcoming.

"…for the share of the inheritance of the saints in the Light; Who has personally rescued us from the power of darkness…" (vs 12-13).

That's why don't go back into the world! It may be glittering, but remember, the light that is in the world is darkness! If that light in you be darkness, how great is the darkness indeed, because God has called us to light. God has called us to a great inheritance. To deliver us from all of these things.

"…and has transferred us unto the Kingdom of the Son of His love" (v 13). To where then the Kingdom of God, the Word of God—Christ—and God the Father:

• rule in our lives
• lead us
• guide us
• direct us

We don't belong to the world! Our citizenship is not here in this world!

It is in God the Father and Jesus Christ, and the saints of God. WHEN Christ returns THEN we will fight with Him in great power. The tools of our warfare today are spiritual. We have a greater battle!

Verse 14: "In Whom we have redemption through His own blood, even the remission of sins; Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation…" (vs 14-15).

That means the firstborn from the dead of everyone who's going to be resurrected from the dead, Christ was first! Here's what He did,

Verse 16: "Because by Him were all things created… [Christ was the Creator] …the things in heaven and the things on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether they be thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him…"—for God's plan!

Even Satan the devil has part in God's plan to accomplish the will of God in our lives. Knowing that we have an enemy to fight, and knowing that through fighting this enemy we show our love, our faith, our loyalty; we show our reliance upon God, because Satan is there to come and trick us, to come after us, and to deceive us.

Verse 17: "And He is before all, and by Him all things subsist. And He is the Head of the Body, the Church…" (vs 17-18).

Never forget that brethren, no man is the head of the Church of God! No man! Everyone who is a minister, teacher, preacher, evangelist or apostle should always point you to worship and serve God the Father and Jesus Christ! Those who are elders, to serve, to teach and to help! The whole purpose is to help you grow in:

• faith
• knowledge
• understanding
• in your relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ

We have seen what has happened with vast ecclesiastical empires. Not only within the Church of God, but also in the world. God hates that kind of thing, because God the Father Himself has personally called you, and He wants you to know that Christ is the Head of the Church!

"…Who is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead so that in all things He Himself might hold the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell; and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself; by Him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in heaven. For you were once alienated and enemies in your minds by wicked works; but now He has reconciled you in the body of His flesh through death, to present you Holy and unblamable and unimpeachable before Him" (vs. 18-22)

• that's the whole goal that God has for us
• that's the whole purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread
  • to be without sin
  • to come totally out of this world
  • to be out of the system of Satan the devil
  • to be totally converted
  • to have Christ in us

So that at the resurrection we can join Christ!

There is a condition, and this is why the lesson for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Verse 23: "If indeed you continue in the faith…"

The children of Israel didn't! When things were going good, they were fine. But when things got tough, they complained to God. Living in the age that we live in, we have so many distractions all around us. Never have we lived in an age when there are so many things competing for our attention. That's why it's so important that we focus in on the things that God has for us. Not just on Christ, but we need to focus in on:

• the whole of the Bible
• growing
• overcoming
• changing
• watching the prophecies that are taking place in the world

This is conditional; v 23: "If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded…"

• in love
• in faith
• in belief
• in hope

"…and steadfast… [not like a wave being blown by the wind, but settled, stable] …and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which you have heard, and which was proclaimed in all the creation that is under heaven…" (v 23)

Let's look at the battle that is facing us. Satan the devil is right there:

• to come back at us
• to bring in his ways
• to bring in his wiles
• to discourage us
• to cause us troubles and difficulties

He does it through circumstances in our lives, through other people, and yes many times, through us yielding to the thoughts and the wavelengths of Satan the devil! We partake of his way, and of course, that's exactly what Satan wants. The more he can get us to partake of his way, the more that he can lead us away from God!

• he is busy
• he is active
• he is working

We know that there are times that he causes more problems for the Church than at other times. We know that in our personal lives there are times when we have more difficulties than at other times, but nevertheless, we need to have our guard up always. We need to recognize that Satan is there to come after us.

Revelation 12:9: "And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, who is deceiving the whole world…"

There are some people who say Satan is not deceiving the world. Well, he is! He's deceiving the world through every means that he can! Personally, by:

• appearing to leaders and rulers as an angel of light
• using other people
• using media
• using the press
• using music
• using circumstances

Satan is there, and he deceives the whole world!

I even heard of one minister who's supposed to be a minister in a Church of God, who let's his son read Harry Potter books on witchcraft! Listen! If the Scriptures say Satan is deceiving the whole world, that has got to be a conspiracy. It's going to be a conspiracy, and is, that will look so good to this world because they don't love the Truth!

• they love their lives
• they love their stories
• they love their own ways of doing things

Satan is right there feeding them, feeding them, feeding them!They are the children of the devil because they are breaking the commandments of God and living lawless lives. It doesn't matter if they appear religious. Likewise, Satan is after us! Notice what Satan is doing.

Verse 10: "And I heard a great voice in heaven say, 'Now has come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ because the accuser of our brethren has been cast down, who accuses them day and night before our God.'"

That's why daily prayer, daily study and daily overcoming is important. You have someone accusing you before God. That's why repentance is so important. That's why overcoming is so important. We're going to see that we need to arm ourselves with this battle with Satan the devil.

Then it goes on showing what's going to happen when Satan is going to persecute the Church. Persecution, as we've already covered, is one of those things that Satan is going do. We know that one of the things that is going to come, that is going to bring about persecution on all the people of God—and yea, many people who will then turn to God—will be the coming mark of the beast! And to use a Biblical phrase, 'lo, it is coming.' If you are not prepared, and if you are not willing to fight the battles now, you may not make it at that particular time.

Let's see some other things concerning the power of Satan the devil. Satan has his devices and appears righteous and good, and he loves to take up causes, especially causes that are right and good.

Even Peter fell for that trap, because Satan was right there with the apostles and Christ, sometimes in the person of Judas Iscariot, and sometimes just throwing thoughts into the minds of the disciples. Here's one of the devices that Satan uses to trip up the saints on a point, which appears right and good:

2-Corinthians 2:10: "But to whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; and if I also have forgiven anything, to whomever I have forgiven it, for your sakes I forgave it in the person of Christ; so that we may not be outwitted by Satan…" (vs 10-11).

One of the things that Satan would love for you to do is to not forgive. {Note our In-Depth Study: Forgiveness.}If not, you give an entrance for Satan the devil for his thoughts.

"…for we are not ignorant of his schemes" (v 11)—devices!

We have to be like General Patton when he met Rommel: 'Rommel, I read your book.' In other words, we don't need to go into the depths of Satan the devil. But we need to know from the Scriptures the devices that Satan uses! The lack of forgiveness, which appears a good cause, is one of those. Just remember: Do you want Christ to not forgive you? That's one of his devices!

(break)

Let's look at some of the power that Satan has, where he has so much power he is called 'the god of this world.' Let's see how he interferes with people who don't believe. One of the things that Satan can always use is disbelief! Disbelief closes down your understanding step-by-step, just like 'a little leaven leavens the whole lump.'

2-Corinthians 4:1—Paul says: "Therefore, having this ministry, according as we have received mercy, we are not fainthearted. For we have personally renounced the hidden things of dishonest gain…" (vs 1-2).

One of the levers of Satan and his devices—that if you use and have—you are giving place to Satan the devil. Let's understand that there are certain things that we do that even though we have the Spirit of God, we give Satan a place in our mind! An attitude for him to work with! If we don't repent of it and get rid of it then he can work even more. Here's what we are to do:

Ephesians 4:23: "And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind… [constantly; daily through prayer, study, and living and following God's way] …and that you put on the new man, which according to God is created in righteousness and Holiness of the Truth" (vs 23-24).

Whenever you give space to Satan the devil, you are not allowing God to do the creating of the new man within you. The new person, the preparation for the resurrection. The very character and mind of God.

Verse 25: "Therefore, let each one put away lies… [one of the devices of Satan the devil] … and speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members of one another. When you become angry, do not sin…." (vs 25-26).

Anger is another one of those handles that Satan can get a hold of, and use you, and manipulate you. When you are angry you know you are right, and you have cause to be angry. Yes, Satan will feed that. He will tell you that you are right, and he will tell you that this is the thing to do. So don't sin!

"…Do not let the sun go down on your anger" (v 26).

If you keep anger, if you keep those things so that you develop bitterness, and you develop anger, and you develop all of these things

Verse 27: "Neither give place to the devil."

In all of these things you are giving an entrance of Satan into you, and it creates a greater conflict in your mind, because not only are you having to overcome your own human nature and your own sin, but you're giving him a space to have hold of you! That is leaven!

Verse 28: "Let the one who stole, steal no more; rather, let him labor with his hands, working at what is good, so that he may impart something to the one who has need. Do not let any corrupt communication come out of your mouth…" (vs. 28-29).

All of the swearing and cursing that goes along with the world, and all of the epitaphs of taking the name of God in vain. You can let these things have an entrance into your mind:

• through television
• through movies
• through radio
• through all of those things that are controlled by Satan the devil

to give an entrance, or a place, in your mind!

You have to have the character to expel that, to get rid of that, to not get all engrossed in it and entrapped in Satan's way, that his thoughts and his ways occupy your thoughts and your mind, and your time.

Verse 30: "And do not vex… [grieve] …the Holy Spirit of God by which you have been sealed for the day of redemption."

If you give place to the devil, you're grieving the Holy Spirit. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is there trying to convict your conscience that this is sin, get rid of it! Don't let this have an entrance into you.

Satan is right there with his thoughts and his ideas. It is a grievous thing that is going on because you are not yielding to God or the Holy Spirit. You are yielding to Satan the devil and his thoughts! Here are other things that he uses as a place, as a tool, as a device:

Verse 31: "Let all bitterness, and indignation, and wrath, and clamor, and evil speaking be removed from you, together with all malice."

Those are the tools of Satan the devil! This is what he can use in your life. We'll see in a little bit all the things that we need to do to fight against it.

Just like Pharaoh and his armies came after the children of Israel when they were stuck by the Red Sea, so also Satan the devil and the demons are waiting for you to get yourself into a position where you are weak! That's why you need to be strong in the Lord.

2-Corinthians 4:2: "For we have personally renounced the hidden things of dishonest gain, not walking in cunning craftiness… [having an agenda, having other thoughts other than the pure thoughts of God, political] …nor handling the Word of God deceitfully…"

That's how so many false doctrines are generated, by people deceitfully going after their own ideas and doctrines in the Bible.

Let's understand one of the devices of Satan the devil today, and let's see how that has become a problem with doctrine. It is this: in the world today, especially on television and radio, they have opinion polls. They ask:

• What do you think?
• What do you think of this?
• What do you think of that?
• What do you think of the other thing?

People have become so used to giving their opinion, whether right or wrong, whether good or blither. People think when they approach the Bible that their opinion is as valid as the Word of God. It's not!

There were some people arguing that when Jesus took Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, some people said that God resurrected Moses and Elijah, not reading the Scriptures where it says to tell the vision to no man. But that was their opinion, and they were convinced of it. That's "…handling the Word of God deceitfully…"

No interpretation of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. The Scripture must interpret the Scripture. And that's one of the devices of Satan in using the Word of God deceitfully!

• How many ministers do that?
• How many people with their own pet doctrine do that?

Know and understand that all of the doctrines of Judaism come from Satan the devil!

• you do not need prayer shawls

If you don't have faith, all the prayer shawls in the world aren't going to do you any good!

• you do not need praise dancing

You need a pure mind!

• you do not need head coverings
• you do not need beards
• you do not need tassels

God wants your heart!

All of these things are devices and diversions of Satan the devil and Satan the devil is the god of Judaism! Jesus said so (John 8). He's the 'god of the world'! We are not to be doing those things deceitfully:

"…but by manifestation of the Truth, we are commending ourselves to every man's conscience before God" (v 2).

Let's see how Satan works in these circumstances.

Verse 3: "But if our Gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing"—or being lost!

• Why? Because they don't believe!
• Why don't they believe?

Verse 4: "In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe…"

This can be a little leaven that's coming into your mind! We'll see how it affected Peter. The more that you allow Satan the devil to have an entrance, or give a place in your life:

• by the works of the flesh
• by yielding to him
• by following the ways of the world

the more that you give him an entrance to blind your mind!

That's why we live in an age that is Laodicean today. The whole world and everything out there is designed to keep people from God. IF used properly with the Word of God and the Spirit of God, THEN these things can become an asset. These things can become good for using for the preaching of the Gospel. But look what happens:

"…lest the Light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (v 4).

Satan is there to try and stop them from knowing and understanding! Remember the Parable of the Sower. Satan comes and removes it.

Verse 5: "For we do not preach our own selves… [no minister, no elder, no man is to preach himself] …but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."

We are to constantly point you to God the Father, and Jesus Christ. Christ is the Head of the Church. The greatest leaven that comes into any church organization is when men begin to preach themselves!

Let's see the example of Peter. We will see how it is that even with the Spirit of God we can in one minute do something that is good, that is spiritual, that is right, and turn around the next minute and do something that is evil and wrong and give a place to Satan the devil! It can come that easy. Especially today with so many distractions. Especially today when people think they are so intelligent, and people think they really know the Scriptures, and know the Word of God, and yet, they're still preaching themselves, "…handling the Word of God deceitfully…"

Matthew 16:13: "Now, after coming into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned His disciples, saying, 'Whom do men declare Me, the Son of man, to be?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist; and others Elijah; and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But you, whom do you declare Me to be?' Then Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona… [son of Jona] …for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father, Who is in heaven'" (vs 13-17).

Peter had a weakness: a very self-righteous streak! Now, just minutes after this as they're on their way out to Jerusalem, let's see what Peter did.

Verse 21: "From that time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and to suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised the third day. But after taking Him aside, Peter personally began to rebuke Him… [correcting the Lord] … saying, 'God will be favorable to You, Lord. In no way shall this happen to You'" (vs 21-22). We're here, we'll protect you. Yes, indeed!

Remember who cut off the ear of the high priests servant? It was Peter! He's ready to fight. In his own mind he thought this is a good and right cause. 'We're here, He's the Messiah, He's the Savior of the world. It's not going to happen to You because we're here to protect You, Lord.' Notice, that did not come from God! Who did this come from?

Verse 23: "Then He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, because your thoughts are not in accord with the things of God, but the things of men.'"

Let's see what Jesus even said to Peter. How susceptible that Peter was with his own self-will and human nature to give himself in to the devices of Satan the devil. Satan wanted to have Peter. Remember when Jesus said, 'You're all going to deny Me.' And Peter said, 'No, I won't deny You.' Jesus looked at him and said, 'Before the cock crows twice you will deny Me three times in this night.'

Luke 22:31: "Then the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon, listen well. Satan has demanded to have all of you… [he would have been a good candidate for Satan] …to sift as wheat…. use him in the way that he desires] …But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.' And he said to Him, 'Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.' But He said, 'I tell you, Peter, the cock shall in no wise crow today before you have denied knowing Me three times'" (vs 31-34).

Those are the devices of Satan the devil! We can't give space to him!

Let's see some important things concerning Satan the devil. There are devices and there are traps that come to people, and in particularly to ministers.

1-Timothy 3:5: "(For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how will he take care of the Church of God?) Not a novice… [one newly come to the faith] …lest he become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as the devil."

So, pride brings you into the condemnation of the devil. I remember hearing a great high apostle in the Church of God say openly in a Bible study one Friday night in Pasadena. He said, 'Brethren, I have been so faithful to God that Satan has no more interest in me.' Lo and behold, with that pride he fell into the trap and condemnation of the devil! That's when, after that, he changed the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the 'gospel of give and get.' Yes, Satan got him in a way that he didn't expect. If he can get him, brethren, he can get any one of us!

Verse 7: "It is mandatory that he also have a good report from those who are outside the Church, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil"—because he's right there to snare, to take!

So, we are not to give any place to the devil in any of these things!

2-Timothy 2:22—some of Paul's instructions to Timothy as a minister: "But flee youthful lusts… [another device of Satan: sex, adultery; all of these things just pouring and spewing forth on the television, radio, and media, and the press] …and pursue righteousness…"

• you need to turn yourself from those things
• you need to turn away from those things
• you need to turn away from the devices of Satan the devil

or you're going to be entrapped!

You're going to end up just like Peter. One day you will be spiritual. The next day you will be carnal, and satanic.

"…and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who are calling on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and ignorant speculations reject…" (vs 22-23). That's another device of Satan the devil!

"…knowing that they engender arguments…. [strife is a device of Satan the devil] …Now, it is obligatory that a servant of the Lord not be argumentative, but gentle toward all, competent to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting those who set themselves in opposition…" (vs 23-25).

IF you get rapped up in the devices of Satan, and you allow a place for Satan the devil in your life, THEN you are opposing yourself, and the purpose that God has called you for.

"…if perhaps God may grant them repentance unto acknowledging of the Truth" (v 25).

When those things happen you have to acknowledge the Truth. We have to acknowledge where we're wrong. We have to acknowledge that we need to repent to God.

Verse 26: "And that they may wake up and escape from the devil's snare…"—because all of these things are the snare of the devil:

• the lust of the eyes
• the lust of the flesh
• the pride of life.

Satan appeals to that! All of that is of the world, and it's all going to perish.

"…who have been taken captive by him to do his will" (v 26).

How do you resist Satan the devil? We will see how we get out minds squared around the way they should be with the Spirit of God and the Truth of God, and the words of God, to do the things that God wants us to.

Not only are we to not give Satan an entrance into our lives, we are also to overcome our own thoughts and our own minds. That's all part of character and growing and overcoming.

1-Peter 5:6: "Be humbled, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…"

Instead of complaining like the children of Israel, instead of accusing God because a trial that comes upon you, instead of giving an entrance or a place to Satan the devil into your life, repent and humble yourself to God.

"…so that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you" (vs 6-7).

• trust fully in Christ
• trust fully in the Spirit of God

When things get desperate in your life, just as it says here, cast yourself upon Him! All your cares; and say, 'O Lord, You know. Help me!. Fight this battle! Drive Satan away!'

There are times when you have to actually command Satan the devil to leave. 'Get you hence, Satan.' Just like Jesus did. Know and understand this: the demons must obey! You don't have to be victim to the things that they bring upon us. Don't give place to Satan the devil!

Verse 8: "Be sober!…. [serious-minded] …Be vigilant!…. [always on guard] … For your adversary the devil is prowling about as a roaring lion, seeking anyone he may devour."

As we saw in 2-Tim. 2, he takes them at his will. If you yield and give place to Satan the devil, then you're going to have a split mind, just exactly like Peter. You're going to serve God one time, serve Satan another time. You're going to be brought back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth until you resist in the faith!

Verse 9: "Whom resist, steadfast in the faith… [not wavering; not wondering whether the things that you know are from God or not] …knowing that the same afflictions are being fulfilled among your brethren who are in the world."

• Satan is after us all the time
• he is the adversary
• he is the one who is looking for an entrance
• he is the one that we must fight

We must fight steadfast in the faith! That's the fight that Jesus Christ is asking us to stand still and let Him fight the battle, and we fight just like Joshua and the armies of the children of Israel fought against the Amalekites. We have our part to do, and this is our part here.

Here is a promise; claim this promise: Verse 10: "Now, may the God of all grace… [we receive these things through the grace of God] … Who has called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, Himself perfect you, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

• you don't yield to the devices of Satan the devil
• you don't let your mind get involved in these things

Put them out of your mind!

If there is something that is stuck in your mind… Every once in a while you're going to get something that's stuck in your mind, and you're going to have a hard time overcoming. Sometimes it may take quite a while to overcome it. Let's see:

• how we fight that
• how we can put away the devices of Satan the devil
• how we can not give him a toe-hold
• in our mind
• in our thoughts
• in our actions
• in things that we do

2 Corinthians 10:2: "But I am beseeching you so that, when I am present, I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I intend to show boldness toward some, who think that we are walking according to the flesh."

• by carnal devices
• by carnal means
• by things of human beings
• giving a place to Satan the devil

We don't do that, and we are not to, brethren!

Verse 3: "For although we walk in the flesh… [yes, we're still in the flesh] …we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal…" (vs 3-4).

• they are not physical
• you cannot use psychology to overcome sin
• you cannot use psychology to get rid of Satan the devil

you must use

• the Spirit of God
• the Power of God
• the Word of God

and resist Satan steadfast in the faith!

The weapons of our warfare are "…but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds" (v 4).

The biggest stronghold is right here in the mind because that's where the Spirit of God resides, that's where Satan the devil wants to have an entrance with his device to grab a hold of you!

Here's what you do. Instead of letting these things and these problems just sort of toss you to and fro, and you love God one minute and you complain to Him the next minute. You do what is good spiritually one minute, and you sin the next minute. You yield to God one minute, and you yield to Satan the devil the next minute. You're back and forth, back and forth. Use the power of the Holy Spirit of God!

Here's what you do. You grab those things in your mind, pray before God, let Him know exactly what is going on, and ask God to cast those things down with the Spirit of God!

Verse 5: "Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ." That's how you overcome!

Wherever there are idols and signs of Satan the devil of the occult, be it something in a statue, be it something in a painting, be it something in jewelry, know that all of those things are calling cards for demons! They will come, and you give them entrance. Don't give them any space.

With children, do not give them any space with the media, television, an music, rap and rock, and the cartoons that they have to mold their minds in satanic form. You can't avoid all of it, but you have got to teach your children at a young age that those things are not from God, they are from Satan the devil! Do not allow your children to play with those things. Do not allow them to read books like Harry Potter.

I know, as I've said before when we went and saw the Star Wars. We came home and I told my boys, 'This is all satanism.' Oh, Dad! You need to explain to them why it is, because it's not of God. You watch and see, all of the movies forthcoming of Harry Potter are going to lead more people into the depths of witchcraft and satanism, and set up this world for the great deception of Satan the devil.

It is going to be so great and so marvelous, and there are going to be signs and wonders that will happen that Christ said that even the elect could be deceived.

• they can be deceived when they do like Peter and allow an entrance of Satan the devil
• they can be deceived when you have one foot in the world, and one foot in the Church
• the can be deceived when you have one foot in your way, and one foot in God's way

thinking that you can play both ends against the middle!

Isn't that a perfect description of a Laodicean? Yes, it is! It talks about the Laodiceans being blind. Who blinded them? Satan the devil, as we found out! Those are the devices of Satan the devil. Those are the things that you need to understand and realize.

Let's see the tools of our warfare are spiritual. We are fighting against so many things today. We are living in the end-time when the synagogue of Satan and the great deception that's on the world is coming full bore in all of it's glory, and all of it's power, and all of it's wonder, and all the signs and things that Satan can do with all the modern devices of the world and everything. It is going to be awesome.

Revelation 3:8: "I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My Word…"

That's how you can fight against Satan the devil, because you keep the Word of God. It doesn't matter whether you are weak physically. It doesn't matter whether you're young or old. If you are strong in the Lord, that is what counts. If you're weak in the flesh and strong in the Lord, God's strength is made perfect in you.

"…have kept My Word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the Word of My patience… [patiently kept My word] …I also will keep you from the time of temptation… [which is the coming mark of the beast] …which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth" (vs 8-10).

This last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread we need to let God fight these battles for us! We need to arm ourselves:

• with His power
• with His Spirit
• with His devices

Not allowing any entrance of Satan the devil into our lives! Not to be spiritual one minute, and Satanic another minute!

Now let's see how we need to do this; it is a full-time job. It is a full-time armor.

Ephesians 6:10: "Finally, my brethren…"

Note message (truthofGod.org): You, the World, Satan and Overcoming; how that those in the city of Ephesus, they were living at the headquarters of the goddess Diana. They were wrapped up in witchcraft, with trinkets, with idols, with books, with demons. There was such a great conversion that all of the idol-makers were about to go out of business.

That's what there needs to be in the Church of God today. A great revival in the Church of God that we do not allow the entrance of Satan the devil, and understand whom we are fighting. Understand that the world is going back head long into occultism, and satanism, and witchcraft.

Verse 10: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength. Put on the whole armor of God…" (vs 10-11).

Tie that in the with the Laodiceans who were told to put on the righteousness. They're naked and miserable. Here's the way to come out of that.

Verse 11: "Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

He will come with one scheme at one time, another scheme at another time. That's why you've got to constantly be bringing these thoughts into captivity, pulling down strongholds through the Spirit of God!

Verse 12: "Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood… [we're not just wrestling against our own flesh and blood] …but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age… [remember Christ came to deliver us from the darkness of Satan the devil; we have been delivered] … against the spiritual power of wickednessin high places…. [confirms a conspiracy] …Therefore, take up the whole armor of God…" (vs 12-13).

Don't leave anything to chance! That's why you've heard it over and over again, and after being in the Church of God now for many, many years, I can tell you one thing for sure: prayer, study, fasting, overcoming, is a daily task. Those are the things that are the whole armor of God, that you fortify your mind

• with the Word of God
• with the Spirit of God
• with the Truth of God

loving and serving Him with a whole heart!

"…so that you may be able to resist in the evil day… [there's enough evil in every day, as Jesus said] … and having worked out all things, to stand" (v 13).

Just like it said where we began in Exo. 14: 'Stand still and see the salvation of God.'

• that we may stand and resist
• that we may stand and fight
• that we not run and flee

Resist in the faith!

Verse 14: "Stand, therefore, having your loins girded about with Truth… [so you can always have it right there to resist the lies] …and wearing the breastplate of righteousness." Through the grace of God:

• you are in right standing with God
• you keep the commandments of God
• you love God

This is just like a breastplate that covers your vital organs so that you will be able to withstand all of these things in the day of battle.

Verse 15: "And having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace."

• always looking to the hope of the Gospel
• always understanding the Gospel
• always yielding and understanding to Christ

Verse 16: Besides all these, take up the shield of the faith, with which you will have the power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

These fiery darts are like missiles of passion. He's the 'prince of the power of the air,' and he's sending these out to come into your mind, to get you away from Christ, to get you after lust. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life! These are all the missiles of Satan the devil that he's sending in to try and entrap you!

Verse 17: "And put on the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

That's why brethren, it's so important that we have, and we understand the Word of God, and know it and believe it, and love it, and live by it. That's the whole purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

• to renew us
• to give us the invigorating power of the Holy Spirit of God
• to give us the determination to put out leaven and sin
• to put in righteousness and to fight the good fight of faith, and go forward as God wants us to

Verse 18. "Praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and in this very thing being watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Not only do you pray for yourself and your family and your loved ones, but all of the saints! That way:

• we can all be together
• we can all love God
• we can have God fight our battles for us
• we can overcome Satan the devil
• we can put away the works of the flesh
• we can put away the sins of the mind

to be steadfast and fixed and not unstable like Peter was!

This is the meaning of this day. God will fight your battles for you, and you have your part to do it!

Scriptures from The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version

Scriptural References:

• Leviticus 23:1-3, 5-8

• Exodus 14:10-18
• Exodus 15:2-3
• Exodus 17:8-11, 14-16
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-9, 11-13
• Acts 26:15-18
• Colossians 1:12-23
• Revelation 12:9-10
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
• 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
• Ephesians 4:23-31
• 2 Corinthians 4:2-5
• Matthew 16:13-17, 21-23
• Luke 22:31-34
• 1 Timothy 3:5-7
• 2 Timothy 2:22-26
• 1 Peter 5:6-10
• 2 Corinthians 10:7-4
• Revelation 3:8-10
• Ephesians 6:10-18

Scripture referenced, not quoted: John 8

Also referenced:

In-Depth Studies:

• Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews
• Forgiveness

Message: You, the World, Satan and Overcoming

FRC:
original transcription date unknown
Transcribed: bo—1/2022