Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Those Who Oppose Us

Ephesians 6:12-"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Virtually all Christians agree that Satan is a living being who is an evil force in the world. Historically, Christian confessions of faith have always included statements about belief in a personal devil--not that every person has his own personal devil, but that the devil is an actual personage rather than merely an impersonal force. But when you talk about demons being alive and active in the world today, a lot of Christians bristle, "Hold on there. I believe in the devil, but I don't buy that stuff about demons." My questions to these people is: How do you think Satan carries on his worldwide ministry of evil and deception? He is a created being . He is not omnipresent, omniscient or omnipotent. He can't be everywhere in the world tempting and deceiving millions of people at the same moment. He does so through an army of emissaries (demons, evil spirit, fallen angels, etc.) who propagate his plan of rebellion around the world. It is clear from the context of Ephesians 6:12 that the rulers, powers, and forces which oppose us are spiritual entities in the heavenlies (the spiritual world). Disbelief in personal demonic activity (or an inordinate fear of demons) is further evidence of the static that Satan perpetrates in our minds to distort the truth. Watch and pray and be prepared because we have an enemy, Satan, and he is out to steal, kill and destroy. Resist him in the faith and we will be victorious.

No comments: