Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Thus, satan goes to work in protracted, ingenious, and systematic ways, to tilt our minds to choosing evil, or doing anything that is contrary to God’s will. The very grave nature of this battle is revealed in our first passages, and should be understood by all who are desirous of living victoriously.
There are also certain parameters set, as it pertains to the battle for our minds, which persons must be aware of, for God, who has done all that can ever be done to save us, sets the rules of engagement which can be deduced from the episode with Cyrus, king of Persia, and from other scriptures, treating upon the same issue.
[1] The first rule of engagement in the processes of our decision-making is that the use of any force is forbidden, especially when it comes to issues which pertain to one’s eternal destiny. Both good and evil angels are forbidden to use force to coerce anyone into choosing either this way or that way.
Deuteronomy 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!