Angels and Demons: How to Resist the Devil

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by some special friends of this ministry. Pastor Greg wanted to see a special word of thanks to the harvest partners who make this ministry possible next time your online check out Pastor Greg's personal blog go to harvest data work in our adversary is cunning and gravity manipulative and merciless pastor Greg Laurie warned yours of the double work whispers in your ear.

Go ahead and do it. It's not that bad. The moment you do it is you're the because it is your don't even think of reading the Bible. Don't even think of showing your ugly face in church again.

Now is the brother sees the tempter will become dumber and many of us have some without even realizing the scammers admit long on your fear for your kindness find a weakness vulnerability. Satan is like he's been practicing a lot longer today on a new beginning after Greg Laurie warns us about his tactics and strategies in his cross. But as believers we are under the protection of the title of this message is Angels and so this perplexes us is where the heck did demons come from what we would have to have demons while they're out there for sure in this simplified daemon is a fallen angel God not create demons as we know them today he created angels what he gave to these angelic creatures of free will and ability to choose as hard as it is to believe one third of the angels followed a high ranking angel known as Lucifer, the son of the morning and a rebellion server is also known as Satan and the devil.

So Genesis 3 very familiar passage or reverses 1 to 7.

Everything from the new living translation the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden. Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. The woman replied it's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the guard were not allowed to eat. God said don't need it or touch it and if you do, you will die you won't die. Serpent replied to the woman God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil. The woman was convinced she saw the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious and she wanted the wisdom it would differ so she took some of the fruit and ate and she gave door husband with her, and he ate.

There South Fork, noting that in this particular passage the devil is compared to a serpent or a snake. So sometimes is compared to a lion sometimes is compared to a snake. This is a fascinating thing because well snakes are very interesting creatures and that they are hard to figure out you know what I was a boy. For some inexplicable reason I collected snakes, and I don't know why I like them so much but I had quite an exhaustive collection. Then I was bitten by many snakes. I might add as well.

My grandkids like guzzling pop tell us all the animals that it bit you and I've been bitten by so many animals that every kind of creature you can imagine is a wide been bitten by mice have been bitten by rats of been bitten by guinea pigs I did mid bitten by a rabbit I've been bitten by a turtle. You know, so I went over all the animals that it bit me, but thanks I was bitten by them a lot and I this one snake that almost good sense might fear and anybody else would reach in and this little Python would not strike and whenever I put my hand in there. It's striking every thought Bibby to snake totally crazy because he just knew here comes Greg Bennett by and so we had this very contentious relationship me and that crazy snake but you know snakes are that way you you can't read the snake. You can read a dog it so easy to know where you stand with it all you know in a dog You know when a dog said you know what a dog you can pretty much wherever he said you can read it on his face. Cats are former mysterious is sort of look at you with those mystical lies and walk off. But snakes are even harder to read than than cats or dogs because a snake is a reptile in their brain is very small.

They're not intelligent creatures and people. Seaview contains naked and sorted. You can, but they may bite you in the face and they may be fine with you for a while it all depends what you you always want to be aware of of the threat of a snake and another thing about a snake you think you get in and out of the tightest little spot and that so much like the devil you don't know what the devil is going to do next and you'll kind of warm his way enters snake his way into a given situation. But the thing with those snake also was the venom I never had the venomous snakes but you know there are different kinds of snakes that have different strengths of venom, was a guy I knew when I was a young boy who used to have a lot of snakes that he had Tiger states, which are among the most venomous snakes in existence and he had been bitten by a tiger snake and survived it because he had taken the venom and used it to build up his immunity.

So this is like the guy who survived the tiger snake bite. She was kind of a legend in the snake world right which I happen to be in. I can explain it but I was in it is like this. Her pathologists is what we called ourselves we were in the reptiles very weird people.

Okay but anyway I was into and so he survived the buying of a tiger snake that one day we heard the tragic news that he died from a cobra by any Cobras as pets.

Cobra's and I think he thought because I survived the bite of a tiger snake. A cobra isn't that big of a threat and one of his cobras that literally would slither around his house. Him he wasn't aware of it and he didn't get treatment quickly enough that he died from it.

So I think that's how we can be something we have our guard up. Be careful here, but then I lower my guard over there and all of a sudden I'm vulnerable take the bite of the this is a whole message on snake she didn't know this is coming do a brain dump of everything I know about snakes tonight are not really, but time almost a mistake, did you know that the venom of a baby rattler is more toxic than that of an adult rattler so you know you you might see a full-grown rattlesnake and you back away from adult good near that thing. Stay away from it. Then you see a little baby revenue will you need to do Mobley did you be be good these in your hand.

You know what it is needed for a quote baby red alert is didn't need so cute.

Feeling faint you don't mess around that. I bring this up because you know we have our guard up against the big sin, but we lower our guard with what we perceive as little sins or areas that were strong in and we end up getting defeated in their varying areas is making sense to you. So the devil comes like a serpent, and what does he do what we need. He questions God's love effectively.

You know what God really love you you would like to eat of any tree you want to eat up in the garden so the fact that he isn't letting you eat of it must be an indication he doesn't really love you at all by the way you eat this fruit you will become like God. Eve you will be this and you will know the things that only God knows, and that she just went for. That's all she needed to hear an appeal to her prime. So the devil is clever he will, just so you know the Bible is not the word of God is a did you really understand the Bible correctly did God really say what you thought. God said maybe you just misunderstood and so you come to us and so you know it's really not that bad for you to do that other people do that other people who say there are Christians, do that. Why can't you do that is, it will because you know I just think that Slocum don't be so uptight. Don't be so rigid you're being legalistic go in and just do that thing that everybody else is doing okay will do it one time and I'll just have a little bit yeah the famous last words and then here's what happens.

Any get you, then you do that thing in your photo here pulled and know what is the devil due right after he deceived you and told you go ahead and do it. He then condemns you, because the Bible describes Satan is the accuser of the brothers and sisters, and he accuses us before God.

DNI figures of the devil works he whispers in your ear. Go ahead and do it. Everybody else is doing it. It's not that bad. You would just want you'll be fine. Or no one will ever know, and then the moment you do it.

He comes back and says you're the biggest hypocrite that ever walked the face of the year. How can you call yourself a Christian, don't even think of reading the Bible. Again, don't even think of showing your ugly face in church again. Now is the accuser of the brother Percy's attempt or pulling you in getting you the tickets free sample.

Now he will become the condemnor in the accuser of Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a Bible study. It's a worship service.

It church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now.

If so, join us per Harvest at Home people are listening there from around the world listen to this. We have seen thousands of people make a commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend Harvest at Home@harvest.o pastor Greg's message today is titled Angels and Demons is part of his enlightening series called the afterlife and the eternal must continue to go into Krispy Kreme donuts.

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Been there for a while but last time I was there.

I of course over eight as I always do.

That's why stairway but I want to know what a video would you like a free Krispy Kreme doughnut. Why do they do that because they love us no because they know the moment you eat that hot, freshly made donut glistening with sugar you will eat more. Did it's worth it to them so you take up by going there to interfere with notice or a little smaller than regular donut.

How many of you have had Krispy Kreme donuts. Cannot everybody give and have them you should go try God, like the devil. All of a sudden one time try this little one that's our work, so I try the first one of another of another of another minute so someone I meeting the and then it just becomes all this greasy dough in my stomach and you wanted. I just do that then I go to a food coma.

You know how works. That's all similar terms are used Krispy Kreme in that way, but it fit you take the bait and then you're hooked.

And then he condemns you cc what you do, we just remember that that's is tucked and no matter what sin you've committed God can forgive you if you will admit that sin, repent of it if the Lord I'm sorry for that sin.

And don't forget something else and we been talking about this is her studying the book of Romans together as a Christian you been justified before God is not based on anything you've done it solely based on what he did when he sent Christ to die on the cross in our place. And remember, justified means just as if it never happened. So I stand righteous before God. So I say Lord forgive me of my sin. I stand right before God now is child to the devil I just say go to hell because that's were he's going in and trust me he would like to drag as many people there with him as he possibly could. So it's very important for us to know how the enemy works. I think it was Victor Hugo who said he was the author of Les Miserables, who said, quote you must penetrate the brain of your enemy. A good general will penetrate the brain of his enemy. The ideas know your opponent know what your opponent may do and be ready for him when he comes in. These are the tactics of the enemy that he uses over and over again. But here's the good news 2000 years ago on the cross Jesus defeated Satan. He defeated a look at double can still tempt you. The double can still have so you, the devil can still kind of buffet you word strike get you even the apostle Paul talked about how he was buffeted by the enemy but the devil can never overcome you, the devil can never overpower you and the devil can never possess you, because you are under new management because you put your faith in Christ and Satan knows the Bible tells us a God puts his ID tag on us and that ID taxes property of Jesus Christ and that ID tag is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian I was traveling recently on my back came off of the conveyor belt and I'm wheeling it out and some lady comes chasing after me. You have my back and things like this crazy since my bad.

She gets you up my bag as it now. I'm sorry this is my back. She says open it up. I opened it up reserve we had identical bags and I'm so glad I didn't keep her bag because I did not want to dress in women's clothing for that trip and she had my bag in and I mistook it and the reason was I didn't check the ID tag using the goddess put his ID tag on you and your under his protection. So you don't be afraid of what the enemy is going to do you just need to be aware of it and you need to keep your guard up.

But here's the bottom line and I'll close with this God want you to come into a relationship with him in the devil want to do everything he can to keep you away from a relationship with God. The Bible says the God of this world that Satan has blinded the eyes of those that don't believe lesser. I should be open and they should see the glorious light of the gospel so Satan doesn't want you to believe in the Bible also says he's taken people captive to do his will so he tries to keep us from coming to Christ. But then when we do come to Christ. He'll do everything he can to get us to fall away or to compromise so he can neutralize us so we need to be aware of these things so let me speak to people as I close, number one, you may be a person who is joined as soon is not sure if your sin is forgiven that the devil is just been having a hate in your life, and he has you trapped in addiction.

Drugs, alcohol, pornography maybe has you trapped in some relationship he is you trapped in something else and you just feel like I can never get out of this place. You can you can but you must ask God for his help and for his forgiveness and Jesus can pull you out of that pit your rent and change. You literally in moments. So, if you've never believed in Jesus.

I want to give you an opportunity to believe in him tonight and have all of your sin forgiven and get a fresh start of life, and most importantly, know that when you die you will go to heaven whether some of you who have accepted Christ in your life, but realistically and honestly you been kind of trapped by the enemies, got you wound up in some compromise situation and and you're not a happy person right now because you're trying to live in two worlds of bedroom and sitting here right now thinking about what you're going to do, and that other world you live in the moment you get out of this church service that is not a good thing to watch this on TV, to go to this club on go yell really, you're in a better place because I don't think we should want to get out of this place quickly. I think we should want to be here and savor the moment. With God's people. I know you have to get home and get to work and things like that. But I'm talking about. Enjoy every moment that we have to worship and learn the word of God. It's a privilege to live in two worlds so if you're in that sort of no man's land of compromise and really encourage you to make a recommitment to Christ and and really start walking with the Lord is you want to do all of the enemy have a foothold in your life. The Bible says don't give place to the devil. Don't give them anything. Don't have tea with him so hang out with him don't have a short conversation with him. Don't text him. Don't let them text you I just stay away from.

Keep as much distance as you can. The Bible says, resist the devil and he will flee from you. So if the resistor but before that, it says submit to God. So first I submit to God, then I resist the double because as I submit to God.

I have the power to resist the devil and he will flee from me, so some of you may need to make a recommitment, I'll give you that opportunity right now as we all). Let's pray now father, thank you for your word to us. We know there's a devil we know there are demons, but more importantly we know there's you and we know there are angels and we know you're more powerful than our adversary. So we would just say right now to the enemy and his forces we rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ and we would say Lord that there are people here that need to come to you and I pray that you would take off the blinders help them to see what we've shared tonight is true or not fairytales.

These are not myths us is hard reality the supernatural world that I pray Lord for any person here that doesn't know you yet. I pray you would help them to come to believe in you and be forgiven of all of their sin in Jesus name I pray that Greg Lord important prayer and if you like to make a change today before this addition of a new beginning wraps up in a moment. Pastor Greg will help you do that, so please stay with us now as you were listening today. If any interruptions happen.

You missed part of the message here which are managed by going online to harvest.org you can stream the message you're downloading MP3 for later, or request a copy on CD by calling our 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300.

Today's message title is simply angels and demons. Pastor Greg, I just read your book, Billy Graham, the man I knew it's brand-new. One of the stories you tell and there I thought maybe you could recounted for listeners describe the time you got a phone call late one night from Dennis tag Janie in his imitation of Billy Graham right well.

Dennis and I have been friends for years. Dennis is a musician. Amazing guitar player and a friend of Franklin Graham and work with the Billy Graham team for years as well, so I was back in North Carolina at a Billy Graham board meeting and so we had dinner that night and I said to Billy Billy. If there's anything I can do for you.

Preparing sermons or whatever.

Let me know what you need and I'll work on it. Billy said okay. Thank you that I went back to my room that night and I got a call to late like 10 o'clock. I so that was Dennis. He would always call and see how to go tonight, I was Billy Don and so he called and he did an amazing Billy Graham, imitation and so Dennis calls these as hello Greg this is Billy Graham and and I was thinking about what you said to me tonight. I know it's not Billy so I'm like actually watching TV and I'm flipping the channels you know like you do. I'm flipping that sounds is that right right and I think it whatever he was saying. I'm saying yeah whatever ability you know, just because I know it's Dennis waiting for him to say Greg, it's Dennis and he goes on and then Dennis says, and I was thinking about what you said tonight and I'd like your help and then I thought for a moment. Wait I didn't tell Dennis I said that the Billy, then at Dominique this is Billy Graham and I'm blowing him off right already so busy Billy yes how can I help you, and I realize that II was like ignoring Billy Graham which is kind of crazy thing.

But that's exactly right. With delight, you know another, a funny thing that happened you know Franklin is quite the prankster, so I had a photo of Billy that I had printed out and I got one of those cool like silver metallic pens because I wanted him to sign it so I took it back when I was going to see him and Billy very graciously signed it and I rolled it up into one of those tubes you know and I had it in my hotel room and as it turns out the maid picked up the tube, thinking it was trash and threw it in the dumpster. I just about had a heart attack. I went and found the dumpster clawed my way through it, founded put it back in my room. So then, Franklin says, come on up to daddy's room and as I got there and there is Billy and Franklin and then Franklin says daddy, you know that picture you signed up yourself, and gave the Greg and Billy says yes. Franklin says Greg thrown away and I said no I didn't throw it away. Then they do it away. No daddy he threw it away. Billy Skinner smiling and I thought to myself they're in this together there working together right now, I realize I just to get. I said look I didn't throw it away. One of founded and I explained it and we all had a laugh but you know he was some you just a great guy to be around and he took his message very seriously.

But he never took himself too seriously and it was always just a joy to be with them and there were so many memorable conversations and moments that are with me forever and I wanted to put it down of this book so other people could hear these stories because this humanizes him and what I mean by that is there's been many books written about Billy, and rightly so, but but sometimes there may be a little more academically oriented or they're giving you is complete history. I did not feel the need to write that book it's been written. This is a personal blog. I'm talking about my interaction with them. What I saw and I am an evangelist and Billy was the master evangelist so it's an evangelist writing about an evangelist. There's a lot of insights here for everyone, but I think this would be a really helpful book for anyone who loves to preach. If you're a pastor if you're an evangelist there's a lot of take away truth is I learn from Billy and I share in this book that will help you to be a better communicator of the gospel.

Yet such a great resource so much about Billy Graham. Very few of us know. Only those who knew him best and that's why the book is called Billy Graham the man I knew it's a unique look into one of our generation's true heroes of the faith.

The book is brand-new and will send you a copy to say thank you for your investment in these daily studies we can only bring them your way has listeners invest to help cover the costs of broadcasting. So thanks for your partnership. It couldn't come at a more strategic time writers today at a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime 24 seven at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and then pressure Greg would you like to speak to those who like to make a change today, in their relationship with God. I would unite I received so many letters day from people from every walk of life from successful businessmen to those who are incarcerated to mothers struggling is are trying to raise their children to young Boys and Girls Club writing and saying they've made a commitment or recommitment to Jesus and maybe you need to make a commitment to him right now. Let me lead you in a word of prayer. Yes, you can meet God right now and I would just ask you to pray this prayer out loud after me and this is what you are asking Christ to come in your life. Pray with me know if you would, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner. I know that I've broken your commandments and I fallen short of your standards but I think you that you have loved me and you've called me of yourself so I turned for my sin right now and I choose to believe in and follow you be my Savior be my Lord and be my God from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and loving me and accepting me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Hey let me just say God bless you. You've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God that would like to send something your way to help you as you begin your new relationship with the Lord.

It's an assortment of helpful resources we call our new believers growth packet just ask for it if you prayed along with Pastor Greg today. Our address again is a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us at 1-800-821-3300 we can take your call anytime again at 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org and click on know God.

What next time the finale Pastor Greg important series, the afterlife and the eternal practical help for fighting the spiritual battles we face every day. Next time you're on beginning possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org