Welcome to part 2. Understanding the enemy is key in taking on any battle.
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.10-18.NLT
Reflection
Anytime we are facing opposition, it is good to know everything we can about the opposing forces. This is a common practice in law, sports, military, medicine, politics, and challenging relationships.
Paul is bringing this line of thinking into our spiritual lives by helping us focus on the unseen enemy in the unseen battle:
- Strategies of the devil: Satan was created by God to live, serve, and work with God for ever. He is not equal to God. Satan abused his freedom and trust with God, through a big rebellion, and was cast out of the presence of God, stripped of his position, and left to roam the earth with those fallen angels who rebelled with him.
His end game is death. His process is incremental destruction. His primary tools are deception and occupation of space created by God, attempting to dominate it with evil.
He is wicked smart. He knows scripture and is looking to manipulate it all the time for his evil gains.
He is a purveyor of evil, often masked in pleasure and promises of power.
One other thing is true. He is no match for God.
- For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies: Restated, as followers of Christ, our real battle is not with people. Let that sink in for a minute. Christ talks about God being patient so that everyone would repent and receive the gift of eternal life and restoration with God forever.
God is for people. He loves humanity. He wants the best for them. He asks us to do the same.
We do have to respond to people who choose to embrace sin and evil. These responses can be very difficult and challenging. Underwriting these responses is a foundation of love for what is right, true, and best for everyone involved.
- In addition to Satan, we are fighting against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
C.S. Lewis addresses his view on evil powers in his book The Screwtape Letters with the following: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and feel an unhealthy and obsessive interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a musician with the same delight.”
Lewis describes temptation as subtle strategy where Satan and his minions seek to reek havoc in our ordinary daily life with distractions, emotional vulnerability, and petty annoyances to draw us away from God one inch at a time.
In his book, Mere Christianity, Lewis describes the physical world as being territory occupied by dark forces. He goes on to say that following Christ is not an act of passive neutrality, but it is more of a civil war or a resistance movement where we are living behind enemy lines as we live our lives aligned with God and his purposes.
Finally, Lewis gives perspective and caution on rationalism vs. superstition. He is critical of those who dismiss the unseen world entirely. He also gives caution to believers against assigning every struggle by attributing it to a personal demonic attack. He challenges us to a balanced and rooted faith in Christ.
Encouragement
God wants the best for humanity. He seeks to see everyone restored to him. This is his will.
He will not overlook evil or sin. Rather, he offers complete satisfaction of his holy judgment against it through the forgiveness offered through the sacrifice of Christ.
Satan seeks to keep us separated from God with the goal of destruction and death.
God sees beyond both and works at a much deeper level than any form of evil is capable of.
We live in this tension. The unseen enemy is real and limited in their evil power. In Christ we are to love people as we navigate seeing the Kingdom of God grow and take hold here on earth.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the way you prepare us for unseen battle.
Thank you for giving us the tools and knowledge we need.
Thank you for never leaving us.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Ed McDowell