WEAPON #2 - Condemnation
In Revelation 12:10-11, Satan is referred to as "the accuser of the brethren." One very effective weapon of the devil is to keep believers looking inwardly at their own shortcomings and failures, instead of upwardly to the mercy and help from their Heavenly Father. This serves to draw their attention away from the work of God they are called to do. It is similar to trying to drive with your eyes always fixed on the rear-view mirror instead of on the road ahead.
The devil does all he can through accusations and condemnation to try to cause you to give up and quit spiritually. If he can convince you that you are not changed, that God does not love you, or that you will never get victory, then what usually results is discouragement, depression, and gloom, all of which can lead to spiritual shipwreck.
Revelation (12:11 NKJV) - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
This verse tells us how believers overcame the Accuser (Satan, the devil). The believers protected themselves from the fiery darts of accusation (Ephesians 6:16) by these three things (think of them like the walls of a fortress around you):
Next, Weapon #3: Devastation
The devil does all he can through accusations and condemnation to try to cause you to give up and quit spiritually. If he can convince you that you are not changed, that God does not love you, or that you will never get victory, then what usually results is discouragement, depression, and gloom, all of which can lead to spiritual shipwreck.
Revelation (12:11 NKJV) - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
This verse tells us how believers overcame the Accuser (Satan, the devil). The believers protected themselves from the fiery darts of accusation (Ephesians 6:16) by these three things (think of them like the walls of a fortress around you):
- The First Wall - The Blood: " They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb." When the devil accuses you of past failures, inadequacies, shortcoming, and sins, you are to point him to the Blood of Jesus. The Bible says in 1 John 1:7 "...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Your sins are gone because Christ took them away. Therefore, the devil has no case against you before God.
- The Second Wall - The Spoken Word: "They overcame him by...the word of their testimony." This simply means that you are to speak (or testify) what the Word says about you and your sins. When the devil attacks you with condemnation, speak the Word to the thoughts and accusations coming against you (Romans 8:1-2, 1 John 3:21, John 1:1).
- The Third Wall - Commitment: "They overcame him...and they loved not their lives unto the death." They were so committed to the Lord that not even death could make them turn back. When your commitment to God is sure, the devil's darts of accusation fall harmlessly off the wall without hurting you (Romans 8:37-39).
Next, Weapon #3: Devastation