To the point where I have literally wondered if he has had formal training in it......
I've seen this same behavior from him for over 10 years. Practice makes perfect, as they say. So this runs deep. Yes, I think we are seeing an example of spiritual warfare, using every means possible to topple the Christians from standing in God's grace.
That's the real issue here. His teaching is that we - Christians - have to be obedient enough to be considered righteous enough to be be saints, or at least to be among the nations of the saved, and to avoid outer darkness. And that turns one to look at themself instead of Christ. There is the heart of the matter. He claims to point to Christ, but is really pointing to works, which is pointing to self. And he denies God's forgiveness of sins, that if you want to be considered righteous, you have to stop the sins, and do righteousness.
Which is to say that Christ's righteousness counts nothing for us, as if we were not recreated in Him. We are righteous and holy in the new man because of Christ, not because we've worked so hard to make ourselves righteous. We are working out what He is working in.
But we are not out for our own righteousness which is by the law (works), we seek the righteousness of God that is by faith.
Philippians 3:8-11 KJV
8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Much love!