Through study of the word there is enough information to suggest that there is a literal devil, a spirit being that personifies evil. He has a character, a will, many of the characteristics we have and even more.
Various adjectives are used to describe him, Satan…adversary, Accuser of the brethren, Dragon, the serpent, and of course the word we have already used, devil.
He original name is Lucifer, which was the light bearing angel as identified in Isaiah 14; 12-15… if you take time to read this passage you will see what the real key to his rebellion was,.. I will ascend to the heavens, I will exalt my throne , I will sit on the mount of the congregation, I will be like the most high.
Notice there are about 5 "I will" this highlights the his pride and self will, where Jesus is the Opposite, In the garden of Gethsemane he said not my will but thine
When someone has a desire to exalt there position by any means necessary this is the key characteristic of the devil.
But as Christians it is not I but Him (Jesus)
Again Ezekiel talks about him also
Ezekiel 28:12-17
Is he real y as powerful as the world or we suggest he is, or is it just what he wants us to believe about him.
He is a murderer st John 8:44
The medium of is faith, whilst the devils medium is fear and unbelief.
Job 3:25 …the thing which he feared,

Satan oppose you, Satan intimidates, Satan or demons tempt, he entices, he through his demons oppress, depress, confuses you. Defile you
The question is does he really have power
And if he does; does he have power over us
Lets see how he presents himself through TV and the Media
Damien in the Omen
Exorcist, exalts the power of evil over good
He is a beautiful angel or can present himself as one II Corinthians 11:14
His foothold in our life is subject to the sin whether we commit or generational he has over our lives
The Stephen King movies.
Van Helsing
Buffy the vampire
Bewitched
Sci Fi most scifi films are of a demonic nature
Devils always seems to attack generations in their infancy
He portrays himself as some great evil force that is at war with God, not true his true war is waged against us or shall I say the Church and Israel, why? Because they are dear to God.
His power is limited as we see in the case of Job he requested permission.
Also in Isaiah a Lying spirit from hell requests permission to go down and deceive Ahab I Kings 22 ; 22-23, II Chronicles 18: 21-22
The war is over our souls
Satan bound this woman Luke 13:16
Satan captivates us II Timothy 2:26
The truth about Satan & Demons
Satan entered Judas Luke 22;31 Satan entered Judas
Satan enticed David to number the children of Israel
Satan hinders us at times, interrupts. I Thessalonians 2:18

Satan receives the churches excommunicated brethren I Timothy 1:20
Satan has time tested and proven devices II Corinthians 2:11 snares and traps
Such as divide and conquer, discouragement leading to disillusion, Flatter then batter, Just like the press he bigs you up then pulls you down, just like the press, Satan influences the sun news of the world the tabloid…but the broad sheet is different……only joking!
What me must beware of and do concerning the devil
Crush him under our feet Romans 16:20
Resist him James 4:7 notice submission comes before resistance
Submission to God

There are some clear keys given in scripture to overcome Satan

I Peter 5:8 warns us to be aware
Ephesians 4:27 says we should not give him places or a foothold on our lives.
Mathew 12:43

We mentioned unclean spirits, they exist
Unclean spirits are looking for doors into your life, they are disembodied spirits that need a place of rest.
Lets look at some doorways:-
Unforgiveness …………………&how do we deal with the spirit of offence
Bitterness
Sexual Immorality
Generational Entry
Contacting those with familiar spirits
Trauma
Rejection
Depression
Fear
unbelief
Compulsive Behaviour
Drugs or the taking of drugs is like a swing double door….Pharmacia which is witchcraft, there are not any forms of witchcraft in which drugs and various potions is not involved.

We will take some time on the subject of offence and forgiveness.
Matthew 18:21……How many times ?
The Parable that follows explains in greater detail Matthew 18:22-35
Mark 11;25 Unforgiveness can hinder your prayers
Hebrews 12:15
Mathew 18:7 Offences
I Corinthians 10: 32 Try to live a life without offending others
We will close off this area with James 3:2

We must submit to God to overcome the devil.

........................To Be Continued.....................