Just in a short quick reply, let us come to hate sin as Jesus does and did when among us, as He would rather have died than sin and so overcame the devil even though Satan brought Him close to it.
Of course it is not hard to stay from what we hate and the other side is we must love righteousness as He did and when we behold Him and the price paid for our redemption and see the great love of God the Father and His Son, how can we not love Him first and best and then our fellows as ourselves.
Then the law of love becomes our love, it is in the heart to now do and is the service of the heart of love.
It then is easy and natural to do what we love and shun the thing we hate. We follow Him and that was His Way I believe.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Yes, prayer and praying continually that He will give you the strength to continually allow only His Spirit alone to be the sole, soul Master in you is good strategy as without Him we are nothing.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1. Look at the big picture, and Jesus Christ - the Author and Finisher of OUR faith.
2. In this battle what is our place, what is Jesus's place ?
3. What is the nature of the battle ?
4. Who offers perfect instructions and has defeated Satan personally without ever being beaten ? > Jesus Christ OUR Champion & Representative - not just collectively, but our's individually personally, as if no one else existed.
5. a beginning of SOP instruction in the matter. Whenever SOP is researched to explain a topic - more is always found than just on the narrower focus of just that topic, then it opens the mind and heart to drink in more and understand more from the Bible. That according to Scripture is one of the main functions of SOP. 1st Corinthians 1:1-31 . Defeating Satan is only done by abiding in Christ and rejecting Satans wiles and philosophies and lies and refusing to practice Satans teachings, it is Christ & Father God & the Holy Spirit & the holy angels that personally defeat Satan, and we hide and abide in Their refuge.
conquer satan* = 166 hits
AH The Adventist Home Chap. Sixty-Six - The Portals We Must Watch
{AH 401.1 - 405.2} quote at {AH 403.2}
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, but when we think of the concept of defeating satan, we may be coming from the wrong mindset because we can defeat circumstances, temptations, situations, people, and things in our life, but are we called to ever suppose we are the ones going hand to hand against him, or are we to be in union with God and His holy angels, Who do fight satan one on one literally. Even though God must restrain His limitless power so as not to destroy satan prematurely. We can not keep ourselves.
#1. < in context > Our Choices Determine Our Destiny
Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death. Proverbs 16:25, NRSV. {CTr 13.1}
The principles of the character of God were the foundation of the education constantly kept before the heavenly angels. These principles were goodness, mercy, and love. Self-evidencing light was to be recognized and freely accepted by all who occupied a position of trust and power. They must accept Gods principles and convince all who were in the service of God, through the presentation of truth and justice and goodness, [that] this was the only power to be used. Force must never come in. . . . {CTr 13.2}
These principles are to be the great foundation of education in every administration on the earth. The rules given by God are to be observed and respected in every church. God has enjoined this. His government is to be moral. Nothing is to be done by compulsion. Truth is to be the prevailing power. All service is to be done willingly and for love of the service of God. All who are honored with positions of influence are to represent God, for when officiating they act in the place of God. . . . {CTr 13.3}
Satans representations against the government of God, and his defense of those who sided with him, were a constant accusation against God. These murmurings and complaints were groundless. Yet God allowed Satan to work out his theories. He could have handled Satan and all his sympathizers as easily as one can pick up a pebble and cast it to the earth. But by this He would have given a precedent for the violence of human beings that is so abundantly shown in our world in the compelling principles. {CTr 13.4}
The Lords principles are not of this order. All the compelling power is to be found under Satans government. God would not work in this line. He would not give the slightest encouragement for any human being to set himself up as God over another human being, and cause him mental or physical suffering. This principle is wholly of Satans creation. . . . {CTr 13.5}
In the councils of heaven it was decided that principles must be acted upon that would not at once destroy Satans power, for it was His [Gods] purpose to place things upon an eternal basis of security. . . . Gods order must be contrasted with the new order after Satans devising. The corrupting principles of Satans rule must be revealed. The principles of righteousness expressed in Gods law must be demonstrated as unchangeable, eternal, perfect.Manuscript 57, 1896 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, pp. 360, 361). {CTr 13.6}
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#2. God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power. {DA 759.1}
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#3. Now, priests and rulers, where is the power of your guard? Brave soldiers that have never been afraid of human power are now as captives taken without sword or spear. The face they look upon is not the face of mortal warrior; it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord's host. This messenger is he who fills the position from which Satan fell. It is he who on the hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ's birth. The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, "I am the resurrection, and the life." As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise. {DA 779.3}
# 4. 2. Mightiest Angel Caused Earthquake.--Before anyone had reached the sepulcher, there was a great earthquake. The mightiest angel from heaven, he who held the position from which Satan fell, received his commission from the Father, and clothed with the panoply of heaven, he parted the darkness from his track. His face was like the lightning, and his garments white as snow. As soon as his feet touched the ground it quaked beneath his tread. The Roman guard were keeping their weary watch when this wonderful scene took place, and they were enabled to endure the sight, for they had a message to bear as witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. The angel approached the grave, rolled away the stone as though it had been a pebble, and sat upon it. The light of heaven encircled the tomb, and the whole heaven was lighted by the glory of the angels. Then his voice was heard, "Thy Father calls Thee; come forth" (MS 115, 1897). {5BC 1110.2}
2-4 (chs. 24:30; 27:52, 53; Isaiah 24:20; John 5:28, 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 6:14-17). A Lively Image of Glory.--In this scene of the resurrection of the Son of God is given a lively image of the glory that will be revealed at the general resurrection of the just at the second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Then the dead that are in their graves shall hear His voice and come forth to life; and not only the earth, but the heavens themselves, shall be shaken. A few graves were opened at the resurrection of Christ; but at His second coming all the precious dead, from righteous Abel to the last saint that dies, shall awake to glorious, immortal life. {5BC 1110.3}
If the soldiers at the sepulcher were so filled with terror at the appearance of one angel clothed with heavenly light and strength, that they fell as dead men to the ground, how will His enemies stand before the Son of God, when He comes in power and great glory, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels from the courts of heaven? Then the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and be removed as a cottage. The elements shall be in flames, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll (ST April 22, 1913). {5BC 1110.4}
5, 6. See EGW on Mark 16:6. {5BC 1110.5}
17. Doubt Closes Door to Blessings.--But some doubted. So it will ever be. There are those who find it hard to exercise faith, and they place themselves on the doubting side. These lose much because of their unbelief. If they would control their feelings, and refuse to allow doubt to bring a shadow over their own minds and the minds of others, how much happier and more helpful they would be. They close the door to many blessings that they might enjoy if they would refuse to place themselves on the doubting side, and would, instead, talk hope and courage (Letter 115, 1904). {5BC 1110.6}
18 (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; see EGW on John 20:16, 17). A Friend at Court.--What a Friend we have at court. After His resurrection Christ spoke to His disciples, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." These words were spoken to all who will receive them as a living assurance (MS 13, 1899). {5BC 1110.7}
19 (Romans 6:4). Facilities of Heaven Pledged.--The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three holy dignitaries of heaven, have declared that they will strengthen men to overcome the powers of darkness. All the facilities of heaven are pledged to those who by their baptismal vows have entered into a covenant with God (MS 92, 1901). {5BC 1110.8}
19, 20. See EGW on Romans 1:14. {5BC 1110.9}
20. See EGW on Acts 1:11. {5BC 1110.10}
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#5. September 7, 1897 The Great Controversy. By Mrs. E. G. White. ( context {RH, September 7, 1897 par. 1- 16} quote @ Satan's representations against the government of God, and his defense of those who sided with him, were a constant accusation against God. His murmurings and complaints were groundless; and yet God allowed him to work out his theory. God could have destroyed Satan and all his sympathizers as easily as one can pick up a pebble and cast it to the earth. But by so doing he would have given a precedent for the exercise of force. All the compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. He would not work on this line. He would not give the slightest encouragement for any human being to set himself up as God over another human being, feeling at liberty to cause him physical or mental suffering. This principle is wholly of Satan's creation. {RH, September 7, 1897 par. 7} .................................................here is our danger as humans ........... Today Satan is working upon human minds by his crooked principles. These will be adopted and acted upon by some who claim to be loyal and true to God's government. How shall we know that they are disloyal and untrue?--"By their fruits ye shall know them." God does not force any one. He leaves all free to choose. But he says, "By their fruits ye shall know them." The Lord will not write as wise those who cannot distinguish between a tree that bears thorn-berries and a tree that bears olives. {RH, September 7, 1897 par. 15}
Individually, we are deciding our eternal destiny, deciding whether we shall enjoy the highest honor that can be given to man, even an eternal weight of glory, or be ranked with Satan by possessing his character, by dishonoring God because we profess to be Christians while misrepresenting Christ. Those who choose to reveal the character of the arch-deceiver identify themselves with him beyond the possibility of a change, because they choose not to see themselves as wrong. This was the course that Satan pursued.
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{RH, September 7, 1897 par. 16}
(Eds note - In KJV read and study Psalms 32, if we do not admit to ourselves we are wrong when in comparison with Scripture & SOP we are wrong, and flee to Jesus, we progressively harden ourselves in our wrongs . )
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#6. MR No. 1353 - The Great Controversy; Satan's Rebellion in Heaven; Our Need for God's Spirit .......... Satan's representations against the government of God, and his defense of those who sided with him, were a constant accusation against God. These murmurings and complaints were groundless. Yet God allowed Satan to work out his theories. He could have handled Satan and all his sympathizers as easily as one can pick up a pebble and cast it to the earth. But by this he would have given a precedent for the violence of man which is so abundantly shown in our world in the compelling principles. The Lord's principles are not of this order. All the compelling power is found under Satan's government. God would not work on this line. He would not give the slightest encouragement for any human being to set himself up as God over another human being, and cause him mental or physical suffering. This principle is wholly of Satan's creation. {18MR 361.1}
In the councils of heaven it was decided that principles must be acted upon which would not at once destroy Satan's power, for it was His purpose to place things upon an eternal basis of security. Time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his government. The heavenly universe must see the principles which Satan declared were superior to God's principles, worked out. God's order must be contrasted with the new order after Satan's devising. The corrupting principles of Satan's rule must be revealed. The principles of righteousness expressed in God's law must be demonstrated as unchangeable, eternal, perfect. {18MR 361.2}
Every heart that is controlled by these principles in 1896 will be loyal. When those who are in God's service resort to accusation, they are adopting Satan's principles to cast out Satan. It never will work. Satan will work. He is working upon human minds by his crooked principles. These will be adopted and acted upon by those who claim to be loyal and true to God's government. How shall we know that they are untrue, disloyal? "By their fruits ye shall know them." {18MR 361.3}
The Lord saw the use that Satan was making of his power, and he set before him truth in contrast with falsehood. Time and time again during the controversy Satan was ready to be convinced, ready to admit that he was wrong. But those he had deceived were ready also to accuse him of leaving them. What could he do--submit to God, or continue in a course of deception? He chose to deny truth, to take refuge in misstatements and fraud. {18MR 362.1}
The Lord allowed Satan to go on and demonstrate his principles. God did establish Himself, and He carried the worlds unfallen and the heavenly universe with Him, but at a terrible cost. His only begotten Son was given up as Satan's victim. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed a character entirely opposite to that of Satan. As the high priest laid [off] his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of a common priest, so Christ emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. {18MR 362.2}
Context - whole article = MR No. 1353 - The Great Controversy; Satan's Rebellion in Heaven; Our Need for God's Spirit - , each paragraph has helpful information {18MR 358.1 - 366.4}
" The Holy Spirit is to be continually present with the believer. We have need more carefully to consider the fact that the Comforter is to abide with us. If we individually comprehended this truth, we should never feel alone. When assailed by the enemy, when overwhelmed by temptation, we are to repose our faith in God; for we have His pledged word that we are never to be left to battle alone. Every soul, pardoned of sin, is precious in His sight--more precious than the whole world. It has been purchased at infinite cost, and Christ will never abandon the soul for whom He has died. {FLB 57.6}
Christ is represented by the Holy Spirit; and when this Spirit is appreciated, when those controlled by the Spirit communicate to others the energy with which they are imbued, an invisible chord is touched which electrifies the whole. Would that we could all understand how boundless are the divine resources.{FLB 57.7} "
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
"Satan is defeated every time God's servants maintain their integrity in spite of his lying accusations and fierce persecution. An entire surrender of self to Him who has purchased all human beings will enable the suffering one to say: "Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 8}
"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator." "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord; . . . but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God." {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 9}
The faith and confidence in God which is essential in time of trial is gained by a diligent cultivation of the qualifications given by God. A daily striving to know God and Jesus Christ will give to the mind a power and efficiency more precious than gold or silver. As we faithfully endeavor to improve our God-given faculties, we are made partakers of the divine nature. {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 10}
The Lord desires His representatives to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. It is His design that the men in positions of responsibility in the world shall have an opportunity of hearing the truth. The truth has been misrepresented. False charges have been made against it. The kings and rulers of this world are to be given an opportunity of knowing and understanding the truth for themselves. They are to see the truth in contrast with error. While they are being critically examined by men who do not love or fear God, the Lord's servants will have opportunity to speak words of wisdom. "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 11}
Thus human beings may bear a powerful testimony for their Lord. The Christian can not remain silent and non-committal until he sees that it is safe for him to speak. He is bound by the most sacred responsibilities to take his position on the side of truth and righteousness and witness for Christ. He is pledged to battle bravely against the disregard of God's law, even tho he be in danger of being swept away by the fury of the passions aroused by the stand he takes. {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 12}
Jesus seemed to lose sight of the nearer view as He saw what was to come upon the world. He looked into the future, and saw that the world would despise His warnings and reproofs. "The brother shall deliver up the brother to death," He said, "and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." Satan was the instigator of all this cruelty. He worked to put to death those who were determined to serve God, according to the light they had received, and according to the dictates of their own conscience. Satan tries to force men even in their worship of God to carry out his ideas. Christ has given no example for this kind of work. He draws men, but He never drives them. "My sheep hear My voice," He says, "and they follow Me." Mrs. E. G. White.
(Concluded next week.) {ST, July 25, 1900 par. 13}
Desire of Ages Chap. 12 - The Temptation & Chap. 13 - The Victory { DA 114.1- 131.2 }
Christs merits, and victory, and power to enforce that victory, in all who follow Him, both those who have wisely followed by allowing Satan no foothold in them, and those who have foolishly allowed Satan such footholds, but now put such away and flee to Christ, receive Christs victory.
Judges 9:51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
Psalms 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
