HELEN SANDERS

9-21-2025

DISCERNING WHO IS THE ENEMY

Often, it is difficult to know whether God is bringing judgment, or whether Satan is the destroyer. What we must realize is that because of sin in our life Satan is given permission to use his tactics. 

We see this permission in 2 Timothy 2:26 where it speaks of those in error and sin, “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” Sin opens the door for Satan to do what it says in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”

While Satan comes to do those three things, Jesus said in the same verse 10b “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” God wants us to have victory in our lives, but we make the choice as to what we do with our lives. 

Satan does not play fair. He is a liar, a thief, a murderer, and the destroyer. He works through people, but people are not our enemy. We see that in Ephesians 6:12 where it says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

We are in a constant wrestling match as this verse says, but it is not with people; it is with demonic entities. We must wear the armor of God to keep those fiery darts from penetrating us. We must also keep things out of our lives like bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness, and other sins. These sins allow Satan’s minions to work against us.

Then the question comes, “Why do good people die, when they are standing for righteousness?” That is a difficult question to answer, but we see one answer in Isaiah 57:1-2 where it says, “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: [understands why] and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.”  God allows some to be “taken out” because they have finished their assignment and He welcomes them home.

Is something being stolen, destroyed, or killed in your life? Examine your heart to see if there is anything that may have opened the door for Satan to do this. It may even be something in your family tree that has never been dealt with. Confess it as sin, repent for that sin, and be set free from it. Then command Satan to take his hands off you in the name of Jesus. If your heart is right with God, it does not mean that Satan will not try to steal, kill, or destroy you. It does mean that you have authority in the name of Jesus to resist it. Discerning whether it is God or the devil causing a battle and wrestling match will keep you on track and ultimately bring you victory.



Russell and Helen Sanders

Spirit of Life Ministries International, Inc.

www.spiritoflifeintl.org