AVOIDING* THE HALL OF MIRRORS
*OR ESCAPING
Preface
How to Approach this Book
Introduction
On the Enemy…
Pages 1-6 + Preface & How to Approach this Book
Hebrews 2:14-18 Jesus Made Fully Human (NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
“Believers are sometimes hesitant to speak about the powers of darkness” - there can be a fear of coming across as “super-spiritual or a bit out there.” Have you experienced this in your life? How so?
“Bitterness, resentment, and pain can quickly shape our perspective of one another with such compelling force that we become convinced that what we are seeing is true. When or where in your life have you experienced this?
“Western Christians are often nervous and scared about the subject of the devil, and would rather carry on as if he wasn’t real. What is your response to this statement? Can you relate?
“Our authority is not inherent but derivative and delegated from God. This means that we carry ourselves with both confidence and humility, impacting how we live, pray, and speak. What does this look like for you in the day-to-day?