Demonology
 
A Dallas Tamil Church Bible Study
 
The goal of this study is to study the enemy that exists who is a defeated foe. He will be eventually pushed into the lake of fire, but until then roars like a lion to devour as many as he can. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil and gave us authority to cast him out of our lives.
 
Study Guidelines
 
Estimated Start Time: 8.00 PM
  1. 15 minutes worship,
  2. 25 minutes study and
  3. 15 minutes prayer
Estimated Finish Time: 8.55 PM
Time to Leave home: before 9.30 PM
 
Combating Satan with Shield of Faith
(rhj;jhid vjpHj;Jg; Nghuhl tpRthrj;jpd; ftrk;)
 
Introduction
The war is real. Satan and his demons are real. Apostle Paul is deeply aware that evil spirits are poised to attack believers (Richards, 2013, p.52). The ephesians struggle was not against flesh and blood but against demonic beings, “against rulers, against authorities, against powers...and against spiritual forces of evil” (Eph 6:12”. We need to understand how to defend themselves.
vNgrpau; 6:12.
Vnddpy;> khk;rj;NjhLk; ,uj;jj;NjhLky;y> Jiuj;jdq;fNshLk;> mjpfhuq;fNshLk;> ,g;gpugQ;rj;jpd; me;jfhu NyhfhjpgjpfNshLk;> thdkz;lyq;fspYs;s nghy;yhj Mtpfspd; NridfNshLk; ekf;Fg; Nghuhl;lk; cz;L.
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.

Faith is one of the weapons mentioned to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
  • Faith also is described as a gift from God, just like Salvation is.We are saved because God is faithful.

    vNgrpau; 2:8.
    fpUigapdhNy tpRthrj;ijf;nfhz;L ,ul;rpf;fg;gl;Bu;fs;; ,J cq;fshy; cz;lhdjy;y> ,J NjtDila <T

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
     
  • Faith can grow by hearing and hearing the word of God.

    Nuhku; 10:17.
    Mjyhy; tpRthrk; Nfs;tpapdhNy tUk;> Nfs;tp NjtDila trdj;jpdhNy tUk;.

    So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
     
  • The best definition of faith, given in Hebrews.

    vgpnuau; 11:1.
    tpRthrkhdJ ek;gg;gLfpwitfspd; cWjpAk;> fhzg;glhjitfspd; epr;raKkhapUf;fpwJ.

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
     
Knowing that faith is a gift, and it grows by hearing God’s Word,we can see how faith can become a shield against the fiery darts of the wicked one(devil).
 
Shield of Faith
 
1. Faith as shield, to overcome Flaming Darts (Ephesians 6:16)
 
  1. Arrows also called plumbata or belos. Plumbata are simply obstacles that an advancing army had to deal with before it could close in and do battle. Other names for arrows could be darts or javelins. The devil uses arrows (fiery darts) to discourage our walk with God. For example, a loss of job, a loss of property can be the arrows that the devil uses to discourage our walk with God. Those arrows can be unexpected circumstances that the devil uses to test our walk with God. Romans used shield (long door like shield, with two and a half feet wide by four foot long) to protect themselves against the oncoming arrows.
    1. vNgrpau; 6:16.
      nghy;yhq;fd; va;Ak; mf;fpdpah];jpuq;fisnay;yhk; mtpj;Jg;Nghlj;jf;fjha;> vy;yhtw;wpw;Fk; Nkyhf tpRthrnkd;Dk; Nflfj;ijg; gpbj;Jf;nfhz;ltu;fshAk; epy;Yq;fs;.
      Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
  2. Abraham became anxious and discouraged. Abraham and Sarah panicked under pressure and brought Ishmael. Abraham failed to raise the shield that God provides for believers.
    1. 3. Mgpuhk; fhdhd; Njrj;jpy; gj;J tU\k; FbapUe;jgpd;G> Mgpuhkpd; kidtpahfpa rhuha; vfpg;J Njrj;jhshd jd; mbikg;ngz;zhfpa Mfhiu mioj;J> mtisj; jd; GU\dhfpa MgpuhKf;F kWkidahl;bahff; nfhLj;jhs;.
      And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
 
2. Faith as shield, to overcome the past
 
  1. David’s mistake with Bathseba did not prevent him from coming back to God. He uses his faith in God, to restore his relationship with God and calls God as his shield
    1. rq;fPjk; 3:3.
      MdhYk; fu;j;jhNt> ePu; vd; NflfKk;> vd; kfpikAk;> vd; jiyia cau;j;JfpwtUkhapUf;fpwPu;.
      But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
  2. David rises in triumph against all the troubles hurled by Saul and claims God as his shield
    1. rq;fPjk; 18:2.
      fu;j;ju; vd; fd;kiyAk;> vd; Nfhl;ilAk;> vd; ,ul;rfUk;> vd; NjtDk;> ehd; ek;gpapUf;fpw vd; JUfKk;> vd; NflfKk;> vd; ,ul;rzpaf; nfhk;Gk;> vd; cau;e;j milf;fyKkhapUf;fpwhu;.
      The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
 
3. Faith as shield, to overcome temptations today
 
  1. Using our faith as a shield, we can overcome every temptation that the devil hurls against us.
    1. 13. kD\Uf;F NeupLfpw NrhjidNaay;yhky; NtNw Nrhjid cq;fSf;F Neupltpy;iy. Njtd; cz;ikAs;stuhapUf;fpwhu;; cq;fs; jpuhzpf;F Nkyhf ePq;fs; Nrhjpf;fg;gLfpwjw;F mtu; ,lq;nfhlhky;> Nrhjidiaj; jhq;fj;jf;fjhf> NrhjidNahL$l mjw;Fj; jg;gpf;nfhs;Sk;gbahd Nghf;ifAk; cz;lhf;Fthu;.
      There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
  2. James reminds us that every test of our faith can increase our patience and trust in the Lord
    1. ahf;NfhG 1: 3.
      cq;fs; tpRthrj;jpd; guPl;irahdJ nghWikia cz;lhf;Fnkd;W mwpe;J> mij kpFe;j re;Njh\khf vz;Zq;fs;.
      Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
  3. In every circumstance, we can get help from the Lord through our faith in God.When we act in faith, help comes from the Lord to gain victory.
    1. vNgrpau; 1:11.
      NkYk; fpwp];Jtpd;Nky; Kd;Nd ek;gpf;ifahapUe;j ehq;fs; mtUila kfpikf;Fg; Gfo;r;rpahapUf;Fk;gbf;F>
      In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
    2. 7. fu;j;ju; vd; ngyDk; vd; NflfKkhapUf;fpwhu;; vd; ,Ujak; mtiu ek;gpapUe;jJ; ehd; rfhak; ngw;Nwd;; Mifahy; vd; ,Ujak; fsp$UfpwJ; vd; ghl;bdhy; mtiuj; Jjpg;Ngd;.
      The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
 
4. Faith as shield, to overcome trials and hardships of Today (Rom 8:38-39)
 
  1. Faith is not just to overcome the past, but also the present. Nothing in this world can shake us, as we grow in faith. No trials, no tribulations, no gain, no loss can deter our joy and happiness in God.
    1. Nuhku; 8:38.
      kuzkhdhYk;> [PtdhdhYk;> NjtJ}ju;fshdhYk;> mjpfhuq;fshdhYk;> ty;yikfshdhYk;> epfo;fhupaq;fshdhYk;> tUq;fhupaq;fshdhYk;>
      For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
    2. 39. cau;thdhYk;> jho;thdhYk;> Ntnwe;jr; rpU\;bahdhYk; ek;Kila fu;j;juhfpa fpwp];J ,NaRtpYs;s NjtDila md;igtpl;L ek;ikg; gpupf;fkhl;lhnjd;W epr;rapj;jpUf;fpNwd;.
      Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  2. We shall call upon the Lord every day to strengthen us against the evil one. By waiting on the Lord each morning and by reading his Word, our faith will grow and be strong to overcome the devil today.
    1. rq;fPjk; 119:114.
      vd; kiwtplKk; vd; NflfKk; ePNu; ck;Kila trdj;Jf;Ff; fhj;jpUf;fpNwd;.
      Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
 
5. Faith as shield, to overcome fear of Tomorrow
 
  1. God is ever present, ever capable of meeting every need. God tells Abraham that He is his Shield, able to protect him in every circumstance and from every enemy. The promise is for everyone who believes in God.
    1. Mjpahfkk; 15:1.
      ,e;jf; fhupaq;fs; ele;jgpd;G> fu;j;jUila thu;j;ij MgpuhKf;Fj; juprdj;jpNy cz;lhfp> mtu;: MgpuhNk> eP gag;glhNj; ehd; cdf;Ff; NflfKk;> cdf;F kfh ngupa gyDkhapUf;fpNwd; vd;whu;.
      After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
 
6. You are a warrior with Jesus the Commander in Chief
 
  1. We need to think of ourselves as warriors. Joshua was called to be a warrior. He was not alone. Jesus appears to strengthen him in his fight against the enemies.
    1. NahRth 5:13.
      gpd;Dk; NahRth vupNfhtpd; ntspapypUe;J jd; fz;fis VnwLj;Jg; ghu;f;Fk;NghJ> ,Njh> xUtu; mtDf;F vjpNu epd;whu;; cUtpd gl;lak; mtu; ifapypUe;jJ; NahRth mtuplj;jpy; Ngha;: ePu; vq;fisr; Nru;e;jtNuh> vq;fs; rj;JUf;fisr; Nru;e;jtNuh vd;W Nfl;lhd;.
      And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
    2. 14. mjw;F mtu;: my;y> ehd; fu;j;jUila Nridapd; mjpgjpaha; ,g;nghOJ te;Njd; vd;whu;; mg;nghOJ NahRth jiuapNy Kfq;Fg;GwtpOe;J gzpe;Jnfhz;L> mtiu Nehf;fp: vd; Mz;ltu; jkJ mbNaDf;Fr; nrhy;YfpwJ vd;dntd;W Nfl;lhd;.
      And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
 
7. You are a conqueror. If God can be for us, who can be against us? Fear not!
 
  1. Paul reminds us that we should not fear anyone, anything, and not even for a second.
    1. Nuhku; 8:31.
      ,itfisf;Fwpj;J ehk; vd;dnrhy;YNthk;? Njtd; ek;Kila gl;rj;jpypUe;jhy; ekf;F tpNuhjkhapUg;gtd; ahu;?
      What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
    2. 32. jk;Kila nrhe;jf;Fkhundd;Wk; ghuhky; ek;nky;yhUf;fhfTk; mtiu xg;Gf;nfhLj;jtu;> mtNuhNl$l kw;w vy;yhtw;iwAk; ekf;F mUshjpUg;gnjg;gb?
      He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
    3. 33. Njtd; njupe;Jnfhz;ltu;fs;Nky; Fw;wQ;rhl;Lfpwtd; ahu;? NjtNd mtu;fis ePjpkhd;fshf;Ffpwtu;.
      Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
    4. 34. Mf;fpidf;Fs;shfj; jPu;f;fpwtd; ahu;? fpwp];JNt kupj;jtu;; mtNu vOe;JkpUf;fpwtu;; mtNu NjtDila tyJghuprj;jpYk; ,Uf;fpwtu;> ekf;fhf Ntz;Ljy; nra;fpwtUk; mtNu.
      Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
    5. 35. ckJepkpj;jk; ve;NeuKk; nfhy;yg;gLfpNwhk;> mbf;fg;gLk; MLfisg;Nghy vz;zg;gLfpNwhk; vd;W vOjpapUf;fpwgb Neupl;lhYk;>
      Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
    6. 36. fpwp];Jtpd; md;igtpl;L ek;ikg; gpupg;gtd; ahu;? cgj;jputNkh> tpahFyNkh> Jd;gNkh> grpNah> epu;thzNkh> ehrNkhrNkh> gl;laNkh?
      As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
    7. 37. ,itnay;yhtw;wpNyAk; ehk; ek;kpy; md;G$UfpwtuhNy Kw;Wk; n[aq;nfhs;Sfpwtu;fshapUf;fpNwhNk.
      Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
 
Conclusion
When we wrap ourselves in the Word of God, and stand in the shadow of the almighty, God’s people are always protected.
rq;fPjk; 91:3.
mtu; cd;id NtlDila fz;zpf;Fk;> ghohf;Fk; nfhs;isNeha;f;Fk; jg;Gtpg;ghu;.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4. mtu; jkJ rpwFfshNy cd;id %Lthu;; mtu; nrl;ilfspd; fPNo milf;fyk; GFtha;; mtUila rj;jpak; cdf;Fg; gupirAk; NflfKkhFk;.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
rq;fPjk; 115:9.
,];uNtNy> fu;j;jiu ek;G; mtNu mtu;fSf;Fj; JizAk; mtu;fSf;Ff; NflfKkhapUf;fpwhu;.
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Faith comes by hearing God’s word. By reading and meditating God’s word and by singing God’s Word (through worship and praise), we will be always victorious against the fiery darts of the wicked one.
NahRth 1:8.
,e;j epahag;gpukhz G];jfk; cd; thiatpl;Lg; gpupahjpUg;gjhf; ,jpy; vOjpapUf;fpwitfspd;gbnay;yhk; eP nra;af; ftdkhapUf;Fk;gb> ,uTk; gfYk; mijj; jpahdpj;Jf;nfhz;bUg;ghahf; mg;nghOJ eP cd; topia tha;f;fg;gz;Ztha;> mg;nghOJ Gj;jpkhdhfTk; ele;Jnfhs;Stha;.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
 
References:
Chafer, L. S. (2012). Satan. Memphis: Bottom of the Hill Publishing.
Richards, L. (2013). The Full Armor of God. Bloomington, MN: Chosen Books Inc.
 
Pictures of the Shield: