Believers Are in a Serious Struggle
The Devil is not yet locked away in the bottomless pit of Revelation chapter 20. Believers are still in a struggle against evil spiritual forces in high places. We need to avail ourselves of all the tools necessary to overcome these influences and remain faithful. GOD IS STRONG and He wants us to be strong as well. Paul tells us how we can be victorious in this struggle. He also tells believers to take this battle seriously— it is his final piece of advice.
Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (NKJV)
Christians are likened by the Apostle Paul to soldiers in warfare. A soldier needs the best possible equipment and weaponry to win in battle. This is more than a spiritual sounding metaphor. We need to be fully committed if we are going to win.
2 Timothy 2:3-4, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
One must not let worldly desires and popularity distract from our duty to Jesus Christ. None of us understands the tactics of the Devil as did Paul, but he explained to us the famous “Armor of God.” It is to our benefit to fully understand this protective system. Always remember that God is stronger than Satan. Satan wants to quietly lure us away from God but this “armor” will keep us safe. There is a real Devil and he has this world deceived. Mankind does not want to believe in the supernatural, neither God nor Satan, just evolution. But how else can one explain so much evil in the world?
Dangers of the “Whispering Enchanter”
Satan is no myth. As Lucifer he was one of the three top angels with Michael and Gabriel. He led a failed rebellion against God which resulted in his removal from the heavenly host.
Luke 10:18, “And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
What did Eve see in the Garden of Eden? It was not, as is often depicted, a snake coiled around an apple tree. The Hebrew word nachash, translated as “snake,” could also mean “whispering enchanter.” Eve saw the archangel Lucifer (which means Light Bringer). He probably appeared impressive and smart and unlike other animals in the garden, could talk. Eve had no prior experience so she probably was not at all alarmed. These powerful angels have a human face.
Ezekiel 10:14, “Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.”
It is no surprise that Satan deceived Adam and Eve. Satan saw mankind in the Garden of Eden and jealously decided to destroy us. His goal is to deceive man into also rebelling against God. Before we can be born into the family of God, we also must withstand the wiles of the Devil. But unlike Adam and Eve we have God’s spiritual help.
Satan is jealous that mankind is made in the IMAGE OF GOD. He recognized God’s plan to elevate mankind in the Kingdom and Family of God. The Devil resents man’s potential and is determined to cause us to abandon God’s plan for our lives. He is very persuasive and heavily influences our society.
1 Corinthians 6:3-4, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
“If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?”
Our society believes the adversary is ugly and goat-like with scary horns of evil. However Satan is clever enough to appear in this world as enlightened and good. A good looking, smooth tongued con man is the most dangerous. Such are the spiritually evil forces of this world.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
The history of mankind is full of the use of religion and government for deceptive purposes. High ranking evil forces have their fingers inside much of the sufferings of mankind.
Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Spiritual warfare is not against people, but against influences that we cannot see. The spiritual world is a dimension that we cannot detect with our human senses.
Spiritual Influences on the Governments of This World
The prophet Daniel was praying for Israel while in captivity, and we learn, almost as an aside to that story, something profound about the control of our world by the spirit world. The angel dispatched from God to deliver this important prophecy to Daniel was delayed with a remarkable story!
Daniel 10:11-13, “And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
“‘But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.’”
Daniel had been fasting for three weeks, waiting for an answer. His prayer was heard and an angel dispatched with the answer. However the angel was delayed from reaching Daniel by a powerful spiritual force. The spirit being who really ruled the Persian Empire was saying to the good angel, “This is my turf, stay out.” We see as an aside in this story that high ranked, dark spiritual forces control many worldly nations. We learn one more item as well…
Daniel 10:20, “Then he said, ‘Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.’”
The succession of empires is also controlled by spirit forces in high places. The Greek Empire would follow the Persians in rulership of these same territories. When Paul tells believers that we wrestle not with men “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age” this has been true of all ages and is still true in our age. Tyre was the ancient mercantile master of the world and its king was not just a man but a spirit being that was the real power behind the man.
Ezekiel 28:1-16, “The word of the LORD came to me again, saying,
“‘Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because your heart is lifted up…
“‘By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches…
“‘You were in Eden, the garden of God…
“‘You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
“‘You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you…
“‘Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones.”
The same revelation is given to us regarding the real power behind the king of Babylon.
Isaiah 14:4-14, “That you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon…
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north;
“‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’”
It seems clear that we can extrapolate from these examples that major nations or portions of the globe are influenced by evil spirit beings trying to weaken the nations and lead mankind away from the true God and into various types of decadence.
Remain Strong and Win the Battle
When Jesus said, “Forgive them for they know not what they are doing,” He knew that it was the evil spiritual influences that were most guilty at his execution. Stephen, the first deacon, in his dramatic martyrdom stated:
Acts 7:60, “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Stephen recognized that the people on their own would not have been so cruel. It is the hardened evil influence of demons in high places that is to blame.
Using “Spiritual Armor” to Withstand Evil Influences
History reinforces the resurrection of Jesus overwhelmingly. It is the primary focus of our faith. Jesus ascended to the Father and rules at God’s right hand. Further, a true belief in a creator God is essential, and that is why evolution is Satan’s accomplice and poison of choice –– to mislead this world. True science does not undermine belief in a creator, it supports it! Science has overwhelming evidence of the complexity of the single cell organism. Yet, they still want us to believe its very existence is a series of accidents. Wow!
Romans 1:18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
“because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…”
The world has no excuse for not believing in a creator God. Yet, they do not want to really believe in a God. Our belief will protect us like a shield from spiritual pressures.
Ephesians 6:16, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith is the rock-solid conviction that whatever God has promised He will perform; The belief that He is real and on our side even though we cannot see Him. Science also supports this truth. Our world is made of things we cannot see with the natural eye. Our world is made of atoms, and they now know that atoms are merely energy compacted in various complex forms. This explains the power of the A-bomb (the sudden release of compacted energy). Our world is made of unseen energy.
Our faith in the Bible can be strengthened by the reality of fulfilled prophecy as well. Daniel predicted many events, centuries before they happened, with unerring accuracy. Even the current efforts to unite Europe are fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies from 2,500 years ago. He predicted that the kingdom would be half clay and half iron. Europe today is clearly divided between the strong nations and weak, clay nations.
We need to learn to live out our faith. If we believe in the Bible then we will keep the Seventh Day Sabbath. Our actions will reinforce our belief system and vice versa.
James 2:16-19, “And one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe –– and tremble!”
We all need to learn to trust God. A believer should relax when enduring a trial and know that God is with us. Let’s show our faith by our behavior. When we do this we have a big, thick shield in place against Satan’s evil influences.
This piece of spiritual armor is related to faith. We should repent, be baptized and then trust that we are saved. We do not earn salvation and no one is worthy of it. It is the free gift of God provided by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Believe it! Know it! Act accordingly and this confidence will make us stronger Christians.
Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”
We must not get discouraged when we fall into sin, but repent as needed and do better, knowing that our salvation is sure. Satan works best in people who are depressed and discouraged.
Romans 8:15-16, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Wielding the Sword of the Spirit
Spiritual winners must learn to use the only offensive weapon which is the Bible itself. All believers must work to become very knowledgeable with regard to the Bible. Our Bible knowledge should be increasing all the time.
2 Timothy 2:15-16, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
Believers who are very knowledgeable with regard to the Bible are dangerous to the Devil’s schemes. They see the truth of unbalanced doctrinal fairy tales taken out of context. They are the strong ones. Viewing the program “Line Upon Line” will help us all become spiritually stronger. Use the program to sharpen our sword every weekend. We all must remember the advice that the Apostle Paul gave to one his evangelists.
2 Timothy 3:14-15, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
“and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Fulfilling Our Mission to Spread the Gospel
Satan needs to prevent the spread of the gospel message. During ancient battles, messages of victory or defeat were often carried by a messenger who was a swift runner. It was a happy moment to see the feet of one delivering a positive message of victory and thereby peace on your terms.
Ephesians 6:15, “And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
One of Satan’s devices is to obscure the truth. He wishes to stop the work of God in spreading the gospel of peace. Before His ascension to Heaven, Jesus commissioned His church to preach the gospel to all the world.
Luke 24:47-48, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
“And you are witnesses of these things.”
Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
Jesus has given His church a sacred mission, which is to share the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, the future paradise, and the solutions to all mankind’s problems as a witness. Sharing is the unselfish action of Jesus. All congregations should be in support of an international outreach. We are the armored shoes and feet of the messengers sharing the good news of Christ.
Isaiah 52:7-8, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’
“Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye when the LORD brings back Zion.”
Christ wants us to be the people who help spread the good news. We are able to resist the Devil’s wiles if we have a mission. We are not just drifting nor focused only on local issues, we have a mission to achieve:
We are to help spread the message of Good News to the world!
