The Dangers of Demonic Wisdom

Introduction:

The primary way of Satan and his demons coming to rob and to steal and then to try to destroy the work of the Lord Jesus in the life of His saints is to use brethren or sisters within His Church. Overall though, the attacks are threefold being internally, externally and infernally orchestrated. It is a spiritual war that we are engaged in that sadly also touches the mental, social and physical aspects of our lives.

This is a very serious and weighty matter that will certainly be dealt with at the Bema Seat of Christ and can also bring judgement and discipline in this present life. How then can some who call themselves believers act in such a fleshly way towards those who are part of the family of God. Brother against brother is a sad and sorry affair!

The answer is quite simple and is found within the Scriptures that guard and guide us, as well as grow us, for we are all being changed from glory unto glory by His Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:24-26. ‘And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.’

This is such an awesome verse with great depth of meaning and understanding once we read and re-read it. It is a God breathed (as all scripture is) instruction from one leader to another but then has an application to all, for we are all meant to be servants one unto another. But some are working for the devil, knowingly or unknowingly. We are to test ourselves to see that we are in the Way, for by our fruits we shall know one another. Does the fruit from within stink or satisfy!

So the matter lies within each of us and indeed as God tells Cain, “sin lieth at the door.” (Genesis 4:7) It is therefore waiting to consume, to overcome and yet we are the ones who are to overcome. Once we open the door the Devil and the flesh will take over! It is a case of self, the old man and how our character traits need to be changed. We can see that Jacob changed over a number of years, where he came to the point of not acting like the old Jacob and told his father in law, “my righteousness will answer for me.” (Genesis 30:33). How sad then when our earthly self righteousness can get in the way, when the flesh justifies the acts of the flesh every time! Where the thoughts and intent of the heart are not of the Lord and His ways. Conflict and separation become the norm instead of holiness of life, without which we are warned we shall not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14). We are also warned about the sin that so easily entangles us! Running the race takes self-control, the Word of God and His guidance by the Spirit is tantamount to finishing the race correctly, as we are all to stand before Him and give an account of how we led our life.

Body of Teaching:

All the life stories within the Bible are there to teach us as 1 Corinthians 10:11 and Romans 15:4 state. We are to extract the principles from the patterns seen and simply follow the procedure. But this is where the trouble starts, are we teachable, do we follow the Maker and Master’s instructions or do we give in to the flesh and our pride. Do we want our pound of flesh, do we want revenge or the victory in seemingly being right! There are those amongst us who think they do no wrong, who think they can continue to act within the old ways when the Scriptures clearly teach otherwise. There are those amongst us who have been taken captive to do the work of the enemy, they have become subject to Demonic Wisdom. Let us examine this a little more deeply so that we can discern and decide on a course of action.

The fiery darts of the devil and his demons are threefold as they seek to imitate Godly Wisdom that is purely Demonic Wisdom to the very core:

1. DISCEITFULNESS – this brings about doubt and spiritual disease leading to despair amongst the Body of Christ. We can see this through character assassination, as slander and gossip become spears of self righteousness, thrown at all who are perceived to be at fault. Here is the holier than thou attitude, being dictatorial and devious in matters. Here are those who are double-minded and therefore unstable, who can be so deceptive and are delusional in their self righteousness. Lying is a grievous sin before the Lord and liars will not get to Heaven as it is written within the Holy Bible.

2. DISHONESTY – this brings about defilement and distrust and distress within the Church. This is seen as people are defrauded and can result in them becoming destitute and derailed as their faith is shipwrecked or even ruined. Hurts can take a long time to heal! Saints become damaged and cannot go on!

3. DISUNITY – here is party spirit, looking to those who divide through a strong personality, those who shout above others, who love to get into a fight. Those who know better than others, divisive teachers who end up ruining others. They bring disrepute through their shameful ways to the name of the Lord they claim as theirs! This is truly deplorable before a loving, forgiving and graceful God and is despicable in His sight! The gentleness asked for in 2 Timothy 2:24 that should be seen in godly gentlemen has truly given way to demonic wisdom! Negativity does not build it actually destroys. (Having said this let me say I am the first to defend the Faith once and for all delivered and there can be no unity without truth but there is a way to conduct ourselves before all men!)

Isn’t it interesting then to note just how many negative words begin with the letter D?

Let me now quote one Jewish brother who has written his thoughts on this subject before us:

There is no stronger cause of relational bitterness in the Body of Messiah than the misuse of the tongue, in fact, it is demonic to the core! And tragedy upon tragedy, it is often the Bible teachers in the Body who are the most abusive and divisive. We ourselves are to blame for this, for we have elevated certain individuals in the Body to prominent positions because they know the Bible and can teach it with some facility. But quite frankly, not only do many of them fall short of the biblical criteria for leadership, they are actually demonically abusive and divisive. They are more concerned about the content of their teaching than they are generally about the growth and love of those they are teaching.

Dr. Barry Leventhal.

We have then within the Body of Christ those who are operating in the flesh. The Holy Scriptures warn us about double minded men who are unstable in all they do because of a sinful character that shows itself through their conduct – seen through words, actions and deeds. Some are teachers, others try to be and yet they are not called otherwise they would have been in ministry by now! Some I have met over the years have a teaching ability having studied but their own walk does not match their talk. Once the truth comes into the light, others have commented to me on how all they have taught becomes as nothing, we have but one teacher and the glory is His. Godly character and conduct must be seen before all else! Others have a historical problematic character trait that sees them contending with others verbally, mentally and sadly theologically. Others are touchy, they have skin as thin as a grape which speaks of their mental attitude, they bite at the slighest perceived wrong of words written or spoken to them. There is a weakness here that shows they can never truly be trusted as they will sadly bring about contentions with saints in fellowship or within the Body of Christ at large. There are sadly those amongst us who do the work of the enemy willingly or unknowingly and the Holy Scriptures show us this in several places. 

Sadly others have a historical mental problem that at times can be hard to discern. Some are adept at hiding this or concealing it as letting others know they are on medication, or have a family trait, or have developed a mental condition over the years, fear this can bring about a distancing. However, until faults are admitted healing cannot be seen. (We have to admit/confess our sins to be saved in the first place). Some no matter how you help them they will continue to bite the hand that feeds – be it spiritually, with love and patience or financially. Some will not talk of their past life in churches for they know their faults but until these are dealt with ‘what has been will be again’. Ecclesiastes 1:9.    

Conclusion:

What action then is to be taken within the Body of Messiah? The answer for us is again within the Book of instructions and commandments, precepts and laws:-

Romans 16:17. Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Titus 3:10. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.

1 Timothy 5:20. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

2 John verse 9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (The doctrine of Christ, amongst other things, is love and forgiveness, purity, self control and self examination).

Paul then writes of those who profess to know God but because of their disobedience they disqualify themselves before the Lord and His works that are ours to perform before the Lord God Almighty, a watching world, His angels and fallen demons.

What we need to see, is the Divine Wisdom from above that James writes of and not the Demonic Wisdom seen in unruly, unyielded and unforgiving individuals that I have seen, listened to or heard about over the years. Amen.

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