We read in 1 John 3:8 how the Son of God has come to destroy the works of the Devil and I want to take an in-depth look at how opposite the Lord’s ways are to the Devils ways and how we can easily play into the Devil’s hands by disobeying the instructions of the Lord.
Now we would never do that, would we?
Well… let’s see how easy it can be for the works of the Devil to invade our life and rob us of the fullness of joy Jesus has for us.
Have you ever felt dissatisfied? Distressed? Dismayed? Discontent? Disappointed?
Have you ever been dishonest? Dishonored anyone? Sown discord? Been involved in disputes? Been disorderly?
All of the above words and a lot more we will look at throughout this article begin with prefix – DIS.
The very meaning of this prefix is… do the opposite of.
It is also the name of the Roman God of the underworld. The Roman equivalent to PLUTO or HADES. Or if you like… The Devil!!!
Satan is always trying to get you to do the opposite of what God wants for you… So let’s dive in and look at various DIS – words found in the Bible and how they relate to the works of the Devil and what he wants to spoil you with and then compare the exact opposite meaning of those words which Jesus has come to do. We will clearly see that Jesus has indeed come to destroy the works of the Devil…
The Devil: Displeased or Displeasure
God takes no pleasure in sin so Satan does everything he can to make you displease God or at least to make you feel God is displeased with you. Also, he will do whatever he can to make you feel displeased with God, to feel displeasure with God, and find pleasure elsewhere.
Of course… It is not until you go through much unnecessary suffering that you realize there is no pleasure without God. Satan is… the father of lies.
Jesus: Pleased or Pleasure
Jesus destroys this work of Satan by providing you with the means to please God… in Him!
Ephesians 1:5 – (God) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Jesus said in Luke 12:32 – Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Even when things are not going as we would like Paul says in…
2 Corinthians 12:10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
[bctt tweet=”1 Samuel 12:22 – For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.” username=”sowandreap”]
The Devil: Distress
The word distress means… a feeling of extreme worry, sadness, or pain. Now, who would want to make you feel that way? See our article Be Anxious For Nothing to see how you can live a worry-free life.
Other associated words are… alarm, concern, preoccupation.
Yes, Satan is the master at distracting you from the things of God or even thinking about Him.
Jesus: Blessing
The opposite of distress is: blessing, joy, happiness, peace, calmness and so on
Jesus said he will give us rest. If we learn of him we shall find rest unto our souls…
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mt 11:28-29)
Distress is another work of the Devil that Jesus has come to destroy.
The Devil: Disease
We know that disease is illness however the very word ties in with the above point. Dis… ease – therefore the opposite of ease and rest. Whereby Jesus came to give us rest.
Jesus: Healing
The opposite of disease is health, and there are numerous accounts in the Bible of Jesus and then his disciples healing people.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16)
So disease is another work of the Devil that Jesus has come to destroy.
The Devil: Discomfited
The word discomfited is primarily used of God discomfiting Israel’s enemies however it is certainly the opposite of what God wants for His people.
Here is a list of similar words used to explain discomfited: demoralize, disconcert, perplex, vex, annoy, baffle, balk, bother, confound, disturb, embarrass, foil, irk, outwit, prevent, rattle, ruffle, unsettle, and upset.
You get a decent picture of what it means to be discomfited.
Jesus: Comfort
The obvious opposite of discomfit is comfort and other words associated with this are… soothe, aid, appease, assist, calm, encourage, enlighten, explain, help, make happy, please, reassure, settle, and support.
We can find comfort in the scriptures…
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom 15:4)
We can find comfort when people prophesy in the Church…
But he that prophesieth speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (1 Cor 14:3)
Our God is the God of all comfort…
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. (2 Cor 1:3)
And of course, the Holy Ghost comforts, assists, helps, explains and enlightens us…
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. (Jn 14:26)
The Devil: Distant
The Devil wants to separate you from God and put a distance between you in him. He wants to make you feel distant even you aren’t.
Jesus: Close
Jesus has come to reconcile you to God. To draw you closer.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Heb 7:19)
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:19)
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Eph 2:18)
The Devil: Disinherit
Satan wants to rob you of your inheritance. While the below scripture is not talking specifically about Satan it is his work. Jesus actually said… You are of your father the devil and this is the result…
But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. (Luke 20:14)
What about these words from Paul? Satan doesn’t want you to have this inheritance…
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)
Jesus: Inheritance
Jesus has given us an inheritance…
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph 1:11)
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. (Eph 1:18)
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:24)
This inheritance is eternal…
…they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Heb 9:15)
This inheritance is reserved in heaven for us…
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (1 Pet 1:4)
The Devil: Discourage / Dismayed
Satan wants to discourage you. Other words associated with discouraged are: to hinder, hold back, forbid, disallow, restrain, and frustrated. And of course, the prime meaning of the word means the opposite of courage.
Dismayed means: to be shattered, be dismayed, be broken, be abolished, and be afraid.
The word discouraged is mostly used with the children of Israel being discouraged by the report of the spies who went in to spy on the promised land. Numbers Chapter 32, and Deuteronomy Chapter 1 tell the story.
Understand – they were discouraged. By listening to what the 10 spies said and ignoring what Joshua and Caleb said, they ended up with the opposite of courage. They were robbed of their courage.
Paul uses the term hinder when addressing the Galatians about the foolishness of returning to the law…
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of him that calls you. (Galatians 5:4-8)
And also the word frustrate when dealing with the same subject…
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21)
Jesus: Courage
Word to describe the opposite to discourage are: encourage, hearten, inspire, optimistic, embolden, cheer, reassure, commend, approve, compliment, uplift, spur on, and more…
Fittingly the word discourage was initially associated with the children of Israel not entering the promised land. Joshua (Old Testament name for Jesus) when finally leading the children of Israel into the promised land said this…
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:6)
And again…
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)
The power of the gospel gives us much assurance…
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thess 1:5)
The Devil: Disallow
To disallow is to reject or disapprove…
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Pet 2:4-7)
Jesus: Allow
The opposite of disallow is obviously to allow, but also to accept, and to approve.
Just think about this statement for a little while! We have been ALLOWED to be put in trust with the gospel… Wow!
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thess 2:4)
God is no respecter of persons (The devil tries to make you think he is)…
But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:35)
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Roms 15:16)
For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (Rom 14:8)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Eph 1:6)
The Devil: Dispossessed
Dispossess means to seize, dispossess, take possession of, disinherit, occupy, and impoverish.
While Satan would certainly enjoy seeing us dispossessed from the promises of God the word dispossess is used in the Old Testament for the more positive event of Israel dispossessing the inhabitants of the promised land. (Num 33:53), Deut 7:17)
The term means to drive out the enemy and take possession.
Jesus: Possess
Something that struck me when reading the below scriptures is how our body or souls are the equivalent of the promised land given to Israel. We are to know how to possess our vessels and with patience possess our souls.
In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21:19)
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thess 4:3-7)
The Devil: Disperse
Disperse means: to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow, disperse, compass, spread, be scattered, be dispersed.
Satan wants to disperse, scatter and cause division.
Jesus: Gather
Jesus came to gather, assemble and unite.
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Eph 1:10)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb 10:25)
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3)
The Devil: Disdain
Disdain means to despise, hold in contempt, and consider worthless.
Goliath looked at David and disdained him. Meaning he despised him, and considered him a worthless adversary.
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. (1 Sam 17:42)
Jesus: Love
The opposite of disdain is to love, respect, treasure, and cherish.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Eph 3:17-19)
The Devil: Discontent
Discontent means to be bitter or in bitterness.
The word is only used once in the Old Testament and was used to describe those who went out to make David their captain. You will only find discontentment in the world and the only way to escape it is to go out from it, leave it behind, and make the greater David (Jesus) your captain.
And every one that was in distress, and everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. (1 Samuel 22:2)
Jesus: Contentment
Contentment can be found in Jesus because when he becomes our captain he will never leave us or forsake us.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Heb 13:5)
The Devil: Disguise
Disguise means to hide, or mask. Or you could say blind…
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor 4:4)
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph 4:18)
Jesus: Reveal
The opposite of disguise is to reveal, show, manifest, and cause to see.
Through Jesus, the Father is revealed to us…
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Mat 11:27)
God has revealed to us through the Spirit the deep things of God…
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Cor 2:9-10)
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. (Eph 3:5-6)
The Devil: Disquiet
Satan has managed to cause the entire world to be disquieted. It means to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, and be in an uproar.
All the current raging of the world is in vain…
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walks in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them. (Psalm 39:5-6)
Jesus: Quiet
The opposite of disquiet is calm, quiet, rest, unconcern, contentment, peace, reserved, etc.
Allow Jesus to give you rest…
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28)
Allow Jesus to give you peace…
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom 14:17)
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom 15:13)
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith… (Gal 5:22)
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Col 3:15)
The Devil: Disobedience
Satan who is the Father of lies is behind the fall of mankind starting in the garden…
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers… (1 Tim 1:9)
Jesus: Obedience
Obedience means to obey, be compliant, and submission.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. (Heb 5:8)
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. (1 Pet 1:22)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
The Devil: Disappoint
The word disappoint means to break, frustrate, split or divide.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. (Prov 15:22)
Jesus: Will Make It Happen
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Ps 37:5)
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Prov 16:3)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov 3:6)
The Devil: Disannul
Disannul can mean very similar things as disappoint however what stands out is… to make void.
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? (Job 40:8)
Jesus: Confirm
The opposite to disannul is to confirm, ratify, validate, endorse, etc…
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. (Gal 3:17)
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. (Rom 15:8)
The Devil: Dishonour
To dishonour can also mean to insult, and treat with contempt.
We can dishonour (therefore insult and treat with contempt) our own bodies
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Rom 1:24-25)
Rejecting God or his people results in dishonour…
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. (Psalm 35:26)
Jesus: Honour
Honour means to value or reference.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Tim 2:21)
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 1:7)
The Devil: Dishonesty
We have already seen that Satan is the Father of lies and therefore dishonest. It is interesting in the below scripture that dishonesty is included among the hidden things – which ties in with our earlier look at disguise…
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Cor 4:2)
Jesus: True
Of course, the opposite of dishonest is true and honest.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8)
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) – Any other way is not the truth and is of the Devil.
The Devil: Disputes
Dispute means constant contention, incessant wrangling, or useless occupation and empty business.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Cor 1:20)
Do all things without murmurings and disputings. (Phil 2:14)
Jesus: Agreement
The opposite of dispute is… agreement, accord, unity, and harmony.
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Cor 6:16)
The Devil: Disorderly
Satan wants you to walk disorderly and cause disruption…
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. (2 Thess 3:11-12)
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (2 Thess 3:6)
Jesus: Orderly
Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Cor 14:40)
Well, there is a fair bit in the above however a quick summary would be to imagine how much happier and content we would be if we discarded all the dis words out of our life.
There are some dis words that are fine such as disciple. The word dis simply means opposite. So if we put dis in front of something negative it would be positive.
For example, let’s take the word adultery – it is a bad thing. If there was such a word as disadultery – that would be a good thing – because that word would mean the opposite of adultery – make sense?
Disciple means follower (of Christ). Therefore the opposite of leader (or going your own way) – so that makes it a good word.
All in all, from all of the negative words above, you can see life is much better if you just chill out!
God bless!
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