Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
We are continuing our series of messages speaking to prayer and how Believers are to present their prayers to God in His Kingdom. We’ve been looking specifically at the prayer of petition and how we are to enter God’s court and address Him. In The Holy Scriptures, God describes how we are to approach, address, receive, and enforce His verdict concerning our petitions. God’s verdict always lines up with His will, which we have in Scripture. Let’s continue our examination.
Over 2,000 years ago, a famous Chinese general named Sun Tzu wrote a book titled, “The Art of War.” It is still being studied today by militaries around the world. In it, one of Sun Tzu’s tenants was “know your enemy as you know yourself.” The enemy of the Believer is satan and his powers of darkness. Scripture teaches us that satan, the thief of John 10:10, comes “to steal, kill, and destroy.” satan only has three weapons at his disposal – but he is a master of each one: deception, temptation, and condemnation. He used the first two, deception and temptation, to cause Adam and Eve to fall. Once fallen, satan then used condemnation to make them hide from their Father, God. In this message, we are going to examine the roles of the accuser and The Advocate. It is vital, as Believers, we completely understand both roles.
THE ROLE OF THE ACCUSER
In Scripture, the accuser refers specifically to satan, and his role is very clearly defined.
The Bible shows him engaging in four primary activities:
1. Accusing Believers before God (prosecution)
2. Accusing Believers to themselves (condemnation)
3. Accusing Believers to others (division)
4. Accusing God to Believers (doubt)
Let’s walk through each one carefully.
1. The accuser Brings Charges Against Believers Before God
This is the primary Biblical definition.
Revelation 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and The Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Key points:
• satan brings accusations in the presence of God
• he does so continually (“day and night”)
• his purpose is to condemn, shame, and discredit Believers
But remember:
Jesus is our Advocate, so every accusation is answered by His Blood.
2. The accuser Seeks Legal Grounds to Attack
The devil cannot attack randomly.
He looks for open doors — legal grounds — created by the Believer through:
• Sin
• Fear
• Disobedience
• Unbelief
• Wrong words
• Bitterness
• Unforgiveness
This is illustrated in Job:
Job 1:9–11
Satan presents an argument against Job’s integrity. We must understand the Biblical definition of integrity in Hebrew is “wholeness of being—no fractures between belief, speech, and action.” Job is a man of covenant. However, in Job 1:5, we see that Job’s belief, speech, and action didn’t line up with the covenant. The verse said Job performed burnt offerings, continually, because he feared “it may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Notice from the above list that fear creates an open door into a Believer’s life for satan.
Job 2:4–5
He attempts another accusation to gain permission to harm Job. satan’s strategy is always the same: find a reason to demand access.
But remember:
The Believer’s righteousness is Christ, not personal perfection.
3. The accuser Opposes and Resists Believers
This is shown in a powerful courtroom scene:
Zechariah 3:1–2
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before The Angel of the LORD [this is Jesus], and satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And The LORD said unto satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O satan; even The LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
“Resist” in Hebrew means:
• Accuse
• Oppose
• Legally challenge
• Stand against in court
God’s response to satan:
“The LORD rebuke thee, O satan…”
Meaning:
God overrules the accusation.
4. The accuser Seeks to Condemn the Heart of the Believer
satan also accuses Believers to themselves.
• he reminds you of your failures
• he tries to make you feel unworthy
• he tries to keep you in guilt and shame
• he tries to convince you God is displeased with you
But God’s Word says:
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after The Spirit.
1 John 3:20–21
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
The Holy Spirit convicts with hope, but the accuser condemns with hopelessness.
5. The accuser Distorts God’s Character
satan accuses God to Believers.
Example: Genesis 3:1-6
• “Did God really say…?” (accusation against God’s integrity)
• “God knows you will be like Him…” (accusation against God’s motives)
He attempts to:
• Introduce doubt
• Twist Scripture
• Paint God as withholding
• Make God seem unfair or harsh
This is still accusation — but directed toward God.
6. The accuser Stirs Up Accusations Between People
he accuses Believers to one another.
Paul warns:
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The context is unforgiveness and accusation.
Where accusation flows horizontally:
• Marriage’s break
• Families’ fracture
• Churches split
• Friendships die
Satan thrives where Believers accuse each other instead of covering, forgiving, restoring.
His mission:
To shame, condemn, divide, hinder, and destroy.
The Good News: His Accusations Have No Power Against the Blood
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by The Blood of The Lamb, and by The Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Romans 8:33–34
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 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.
It is God that justifieth.”
This means:
• The accuser may speak
• The Advocate has the final word
• The Judge rules in your favor
• The Blood removes all legal ground
• The Believer stands justified
THE ROLE OF THE ADVOCATE
1. JESUS CHRIST — The Advocate in Heaven
1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with The Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous:
This shows Jesus functioning in a Heavenly, legal capacity.
His role as Advocate includes:
A. Standing in our place before The Father
He represents us, not based on our righteousness but His.
Hebrews 7:25 — He “ever liveth to make intercession.”
Wherefore He [Jesus] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
B. Answering every accusation against us
Revelation 12:10 – describes Satan as “the accuser.”
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and The Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Hebrews 12:24 – Jesus answers every accusation with His blood.
And to Jesus The Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
C. Presenting His finished work as our legal righteousness
Romans 8:34 — This is courtroom language.
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.
• He died
• He rose again
• He is at the right hand of God
• He makes intercession
D. Mediating the New Covenant
1 Timothy 2:5 — He is the One Mediator between God and man.
For there is one God, and One Mediator between God and men, The Man Christ Jesus;
As Mediator, He ensures every covenant promise is legally available to us.
E. Restoring fellowship after sin
1 John 2:1 is written to Believers, not sinners.
When a Believer fails, Jesus stands as The One Who restores fellowship by representing them before The Father.
Summary of Jesus’ Advocacy:
He represents a Believer before The Father with His Blood, His righteousness, His intercession, and His covenant authority.
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT — The Advocate on Earth
Same Greek word: paraklētos
Used in John 14–16.
His role as Advocate includes:
A. Teaching and reminding us of The Word
John 14:26 — brings Truth to remembrance.
But The Comforter, which is The Holy Ghost, Whom The Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
B. Guiding us in all decisions
John 16:13 — leads into “all Truth”—meaning all areas of life.
Howbeit when He, The Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
C. Strengthening us when accused or pressured
Jesus called Him “another Advocate”—meaning what Jesus is in Heaven, The Spirit is in us.
D. Convicting (persuading) our heart of our righteousness in Christ
John 16:8–11 — The Spirit shows the Believer righteousness.
8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
E. Helping us pray
Romans 8:26 — “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” when we don’t know how to pray.
Likewise The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but The Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Summary of the Spirit’s Advocacy:
He stands with us on earth just as Jesus stands for us in Heaven—guiding, strengthening, reminding, empowering, and helping us.
3. How Jesus and the Holy Spirit Work Together as Our Advocates
Jesus advocates for us in Heaven
Before The Father, handling every accusation, petition, and covenant claim.
The Holy Spirit advocates in us on Earth
Helping us walk in that victory, Truth, and righteousness.
Together they ensure:
• We are never unrepresented
• We are never undefended
• We are never without help
• We always have legal standing before God
This is why Hebrews 4:16 says:
Let us therefore come boldly unto The Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We come boldly because:
Jesus represents us.
The Spirit helps us.
The Father welcomes us.
In closing, the courtroom of Heaven is not a place of fear for the Believer but a place of covenant confidence. While the accuser works tirelessly to condemn, divide, and distort, his voice holds no authority over those who stand in Christ. Jesus, our Advocate in Heaven, answers every charge with His Blood, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate on Earth, strengthens, guides, and reminds us of the Truth. Together They ensure we are never without representation, never without defense, and never without access to The Father’s grace. As we bring our petitions before God, we do so boldly—fully assured that The Judge is for us, The Son intercedes for us, and The Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in the victory already secured through the New Covenant.
One knows when one has revelation because there is manifestation. No manifestation, no revelation.
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Larry