What exactly is an archenemy? How is that different from a regular enemy? An archenemy is someone who is extremely hostile and opposed to a specific person. An archenemy hates you and wants nothing more than to see your total annihilation. So, he hounds you. He assaults you. He haunts you day and night. He is relentless in his attacks. He won’t quit until you are destroyed. As a Super Man of God, how well can you identify the archenemy of your soul?
Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at http://www.thepuritycoach.com
What exactly is an archenemy? How is that different from a regular enemy? An archenemy is someone who is extremely hostile and opposed to a specific person. An archenemy hates you and wants nothing more than to see your total annihilation. So, he hounds you. He assaults you. He haunts you day and night. He is relentless in his attacks. He won’t quit until you are destroyed. As a Super Man of God, how well can you identify the archenemy of your soul?
Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at http://www.thepuritycoach.com
What exactly is an archenemy? How is that different from a regular enemy? Inquiring minds want to know! Actually, a Super Man of God needs to know. You see, an archenemy is someone who is extremely hostile and opposed to a specific person. An archenemy hates you and wants nothing more than to see your total annihilation. So, he hounds you. He assaults you. He haunts you day and night. He is relentless in his attacks. He won’t quit until you are destroyed. as a Super Man of God, how well can you identify the archenemy of your soul?
Welcome to the Point of Purity Podcast! I’m your host Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry and this is Episode #151. In this week’s episode we are in Chapter 9 of my book entitled “Are You a Super Man? Becoming God’s Man of Steel.” This week’s episode is entitled “The Archenemy of My Soul.”
If I were to ask you to tell me about the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, would you be able to describe it to me? Most of us remember the name, but not the details.
It was winter of 1944, and the Allies had finally pushed Germany back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was falling apart, and the continual bombing raids of the Allies were making it so that Hitler’s forces would never rise again.
Celebration reigned across Europe. Everyone was rejoicing in Germany’s defeat. The war was over. One problem, though: somebody forgot to tell Hitler.
Even as his forces were being crushed and driven back, the Führer was secretly devising a plan for one last glorious offensive. Undiscovered and untouched underground factories whipped out weapons and ammunition, transport vehicles and tanks at an unbelievable rate. Germany’s young men and old convicts were drafted and trained for war. As Europe rejoiced, Hitler planned. As the Allies celebrated, Hitler attacked. The result: Thousands of good men died because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived and that the war was not yet over.
In the spiritual world, do you know anybody who fits the description of an archenemy? Do you know of someone who is more spiritually cruel, more evil than Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Mao Tse-Tung, Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden combined? Can you think of someone who is extremely hostile and opposed to you as a Christian, someone who wants nothing more than to see you destroyed? I’m willing to wager you can. In fact, I’d bet the farm (if I owned one) that you’ve already experienced his attacks.
Here’s the problem. We know the war has already been won. Because of Christ’s victory on the Cross of Calvary, Satan and his demons have been beaten. So, we’re off celebrating while he is still on the offensive. We’re sitting back in our spiritual easy chairs while he is practicing guerilla warfare. We’ve forgotten that the enemy still lives. Yes, the war is over, but the battle is still raging. We must not let down our guard—not for even a moment. The archenemy of your soul is still at large!
I’d like to take a moment here at this point in our episode to read to you a small portion from Chapter 9 of my book “Are You a Super Man? Becoming God’s Man of Steel.”
“Rabrialle could barely contain his excitement. As far back as he could remember, this day above all other days was most special to him. This was the day when he and all the other angels were to personally appear before Yahweh, God Himself. Humans would call this a performance review—appearing before the boss in hopes of getting a raise. How typical. How selfish and self-centered. Rabrialle preferred to call this his sacrifice of praise.
Around him he could see all his friends, anticipation beaming from their faces. “Next!” The booming voice of Michael the Archangel caught his attention. It suddenly dawned on him that Michael was looking straight at him. His heart skipped a beat. It was his turn.
Just as Rabrialle stepped forward, a loud commotion started behind him. Before he could even turn to look, a larger angel came barreling his way forward, knocking Rabrialle on to the floor. Looking up, he saw the back of Lucifer charging toward the throne! Pulling his sword from its sheath, Rabrialle surged forward. How dare the fallen angel defile the throne room with his filthy presence?
“Hold!” came the cry from the throne. Yahweh’s voice, as it echoed through the hall, was unmistakable. Immediately Rabrialle dropped to his knees in obedience.
Silence fell upon the holy chamber as God spoke. “So, Lucifer, where have you come from?” A sneer appeared on Lucifer’s face as he replied. “From roaming through the earth, where you banished me. I’ve covered every square inch of it … but then, you already knew that.”
“Ahh,” God responded with a smile, “and have you noticed my servant, Job? There is no one on earth like him. He has chosen to live a life that is blameless and upright. Now there is a man who fears Me and purposely turns away from anything that is evil.”
Lucifer laughed and then spat on the ground. A collective gasp rose from the angels. Rabrialle’s hand automatically went back to the hilt of his sword. He could hardly contain himself. But the Creator simply looked at him and shook his head. The message was clear: leave Lucifer alone.
“Does Job fear you for nothing?” Lucifer scoffed. “C’mon, God. What do you take me for, an idiot? You’ve put a hedge of protection around him, around his household, and even around his possessions. You’ve blessed everything his does. No wonder he fears you!” Lucifer paused for a moment. He slowly looked around the throne room at each of the angels, eyes settling on Rabrialle. Again, Rabrialle fought hard to keep himself in check.
“But” Lucifer continued as he turned back toward the Throne, “stretch out your hand against him and strike everything he has, and I guarantee you that he will curse you to your face.”
Without even a moment’s pause, God responded. “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Satisfied, Satan spun around and made his way out of the Throne Room, the angels quickly clearing a path for him. “Poor Job,” thought Rabrialle.
When it was time once again to appear before the Throne, Rabrialle had all but forgotten about the events surrounding the last review. As they walked into the Holy Chamber, to everyone’s surprise, once again Lucifer was standing before God.
“Well, Lucifer,” they heard Elohim say, “have you considered my servant Job? Even after you destroyed everything he had, there is still no one on earth like him. Even though you tried to get me to allow you to bring him to ruin without cause, Job has maintained his integrity and is still a blameless and upright man who continues to fear me and consistently turns away from doing wrong.”
“Eh,” Lucifer shrugged. “Skin for skin! A man will gladly give up all he has to save his own life.” Satan’s eyelids became mere slits as he leaned in toward the throne. With index finger pointing directly at God’s chest, he lowered his voice to almost a whisper. Rabrialle strained to hear what was being said. “But stretch out your hand and strike his body, and I promise you he will curse you to your face.”
“Very well, Lucifer; Job is in your hands.” Lucifer grinned as he turned to leave. This was going to be fun, he thought. As he began walking off, God’s voice boomed throughout the chamber. “However!” A cold chill ran down Lucifer’s spine. Refusing to turn toward the throne, he waited to hear what God had to say. “Lucifer, you must spare his life.” (end of quote)
I’m sure you know how the story ends. The entire book of Job is worthy of reading. It is an eye-opener to just how evil our archenemy truly is. Not only did Satan attack Job’s possessions (including all his children) but also his person—both physically (with boils from head to foot) and emotionally (his wife and closest friends turned on him).
The Hebrew name for Satan is Abaddon, which literally means “destruction.” That’s the archenemy of your soul. Satan, The Destroyer, is dogging your every step. He’s the one who is trying to take you down, just like he tried to do with Job. He’s not just your enemy, he is your archenemy.
Jesus Himself warns us in John 10:10 that Satan is here to kill, steal and destroy. That’s his goal, but what are his tactics? How do we protect ourselves from his diabolical schemes? A good defense happens when you know your enemy and what he is capable of doing. But can we really know what our archenemy is up to? You bet!
We don’t have to be outwitted by Satan, because – as 2 Corinthians 2:11 declares - we are not ignorant of his tactics. Let me take a moment here and share just some of the things we know about Satan:
Guys, hear me out. Let me remind you that Satan is still alive and well on planet Earth. He is still that crafty deceiver who is out to destroy you by any means possible. Yes, the war is over, but the battle rages on. Yes, as Super Men of God we live on the victory side, but the archenemy of our souls hasn’t quit. He loves to tempt you with his lies and then flood you with guilt and shame after you yield to him. His most effective, most-used weapon in his vast arsenal is deception. Beware, the father of lies is out to deceive you.
As we wrap up this week’s episode, let me pose four questions I’d like you to give serious consideration to.
1. What are some of the most common lies Satan whispers in your ear?
2. Why does Satan want to take you down?
3. Take a moment and read Ephesians 6:17. Then answer this: What weapon has God given you that is most effective in your battle against the archenemy of your soul?
4. How adept are you at using that weapon? What must you do to improve?
OK. Let’s hit the pause button until next week’s episode as we continue our journey through my book “Are You a Super Man? Becoming God’s Man of Steel.” If you would like to learn more about today’s study, or if you’re interested in learning more about The Pure Man Ministry, be sure to visit our website to see the multitude of resources we’ve made available to you – you can find our website at ThePurityCoach.com.
If you have not yet subscribed to this Point of Purity Podcast, let me encourage you to do so today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming episodes!
So, until next time this is Author, Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach Steve Etner reminding you that if you are going to glorify God in your everyday living, He must first be glorified in your every moment thinking.