Spiritual Warfare Part 1
Spiritual Warfare
This passage starts with the word ‘Finally,’ and we know that when preachers say, “in conclusion, . . .” they are about to say a whole lot more, so too here Paul is about to convey much truth.
When it comes to the schemes of the devil, Christians generally fit into two extreme positions.
One group concentrates far too much about the influence of the devil in the church, as if it is our faith and prayers that makes the difference. The difference between God and the devil is not comparable. He is just a fallen creature who has been allowed to have some influence temporarily.
God is completely sovereign over the devil, and everything the devil does will work out for the good of God’s people, particularly for the sanctification of the saints. We see this happening in the in the life of Job. We also see how Paul’s thorn in the flesh was given so that he would not become conceited. Paul understood this so well that we see that he will now boast all the more gladly of his weaknesses, so that the power of God would rest on him. In 1 Cor 5, we read of the man that Paul wanted handed over to Satan, so that his soul may be saved, that he may reach repentance. It isn’t that the devil is good, but in the hands of an all-loving and all-wise God, everything turns out for the good. The most wicked act of all history—the cross—became the most blessed act. The victory over the devil has already been won. Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in himself (Col 2:15).
The second group takes far too little a view of the devil and disregards the danger he poses. When we become believers, it is not the end of the fight but it is just the beginning. In Eph 2:1-2, where we read about how we were dead in our trespasses and sin, following after the devil, we do not see any fight there. But when we get to Verse 5, we can see that we are at peace with God and at war with Satan. Even after the Allies won the war, bloody battles continued to be fought for a while more, till Germany surrendered. The devil too continues to fight to the bitter end.
The most incredible armour is on offer to us. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Eph 6:10-11
WHO IS THE ENEMY? The devil is the enemy, and we must remember that 1. He is real. 2. He is personal, and not an impersonal evil force. Even Jesus spoke to him as a person. 3. He is more smarter and powerful than us. He is also desperate to do us as much harm as is possible. He is a competent schemer. In our day, he has managed to trick people into disbelieving his existence along with demons and angels. But at the same time, our day has seen a marked increase in new age spirituality and witchcraft. He has tricked people into disbelieving him while also worshipping him. He has overturned the biblical morality that comes with the Christian worldview, switching from Christianity to ‘wokism’, and redefining marriage, gender and the dignity of human life. In our own lives, how quickly the devil can cause so much damage. One moment a couple may be enjoying a dinner together and suddenly the mood changes and a bitter argument ensues. We are singing the praises of God with other believers, and suddenly, greed or lust strikes us like a fiery dart. The fault ia not entirely the devil’s it is our fault too, but the devil takes full advantage. The lion always seeks the weak, sick, and wandering one. We must be watchful and ready and stay protected. 1 Pet 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
WHAT ARE OUR ORDERS? Every soldier must be guided by orders. We are to be strong, we are to put on the whole armour of God, and we must stand. Paul focuses primarily on our defense. Let us not be so focused on fighting elsewhere and leave the door of our own life and home defenseless and open. Righteous men and women can sometimes be faithful in serving God, but their home life could be falling apart with their children not being raised in a godly way. A major warning is Ravi Zacharias, who taking the battle to the gates of hell daily, did not pay attention to his personal life, which was in a shambles. Maybe he fell because he was not a believer, for the true believer puts on the armour and fights, not just in public but in private as well. When the devil tries to quench our zeal, when he discourages us, we must withstand. The devil will even use our focus on serving the Lord, waiting to find us in a weak moment. When he finds us without the armour, that’s when we will be injured. If it happens regularly, it could be God’s way of showing us that you we were not a believer in the first place.
WHO ARE OUR ALLIES? Who is backing us up? Where is our strength coming from. Paul tells us to be strong IN THE LORD AND IN THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT. In Luke 22, Jesus told Peter that the devil wanted to sift him like wheat. “BUT I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU,” Jesus told him. If not for our Saviour, we would be completely crushed. Every case of demon position that we read about in scripture was to destroy and isolate image bearers of God. In a battle against the devil, we could not last for any length of time. Only with the armour of God, can we hope to withstand him. It is no wonder that the disciples were taught to pray: “And lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.” In some versions, it is rendered “and deliver us from the evil one.” 400 years ago, John Gill said that the greatest preacher in England was Satan. We cannot outpreach, outmuscle, or outthink the devil, who is much smarter than we are and he can twist scripture. But we are not called to stand against him on our own strength. Psalm 91 was probably written by King David, who starts the Psalm like this: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Let us fight the battle, and fulfil our duty to stand in His might, abiding safe in the shadow of the Almighty.