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Lesson 1
The Warfare is Real
We Have An Enemy
There is no doubt that we, as Christians, are involved in spiritual struggle between the forces of Light and the forces of darkness. Words such as battle, conflict, struggle, fight, war, torture, destruction, soldier, enemy, weapon, strategy, tactics, army, victory and strongholds indicate that the Christian life is truly a "battlefield," not a "recreation field."
Satan and his hosts of demonic platoons are called and typed by various terminologies in the Bible. Here are a few of them:
- Ephesians 2:2
- According to the prince of the power of the air
- Ephesians 6:12
- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Colossians 1:13
- Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness
- John 12:31
- Now shall the prince of this world be cast out
- Luke 11:15
- But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub,the chief of devils.
- Isaiah 14:12
- How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer
- Matthew 13:19
- Then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which is sown in heart
- Revelation 12:9
- And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan which deceiveth whole world.
- 2 Corinthians 6:15
- What concord hath Christ with Belial?
- Revelation 12:10
- For the accuser of our brethren is cast down
- 1 Thessalonians 3:5
- Let the tempter have tempted you and our labor be in vain.
- John 10:10
- The thief cometh not but for to kill, steal, and destroy
- John 8:44
- For he is a liar and the father of it
- John 8:44
- he was a murderer from the beginning
- Psalms 91:3
- I will keep thee from the snare of the fowler
Did you notice the following terms in these verses?
These names and descriptions are, it's hoped, not describing your local Sunday School teacher, but rather a force so heinous and evil that any camaraderie with it is strictly forbidden by the Holy Spirit.
"Have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" Ephesians 5:11.
In fact, Jesus said, "The prince of this world cometh and hath NOTHING in me" John 14:30.
Why All The Fuss?
Obviously, due to the colossal victory that Jesus Christ has purchased for the Church, His Body, there are counterattacks in the spiritual realm that are still being launched by the devil. He doesn't seem to get the directive that our victory has already been secured!
When Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" He was saying that the great plan of redemption was finally accomplished and that included Satan's terrible, ultimate doom.
Why Is This Battle So Intense?
Consequently and ultimately, Satan's last line of attack is to try to "get back at our God" for His achievements and victories wrought for all who would surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If the enemy of our souls can use his deceptive powers to keep Christians tormented, oppressed, bound, and struggling, then and only then can he seem to portray that Christ's life and victory was in vain.
Simply put, Satan and his hosts hate our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. His spirit of revenge will grow in fervency until the final chapter of the Book of Revelation is totally and completely fulfilled.
You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, But Oh Just Look At You Now!
This can describe the origin of Satan. Satan was created as Lucifer, the most beautiful being of light, so much fairer than even any of the angels. But his great wisdom became corrupted with pride and he was cast out of heaven. Since that time, Satan has known his ultimate punishment and knows that he can never recapture his previous position. He was once the anointed cherub who lived next to the very Presence of God. He can never recover the Presence of the Anointing that was once his earmark. Now, since we as Christians have unlimited access to the Presence of God, he seeks revenge to fulfill the emptiness of his being.
The fact that, through the power and victories of the Lord Jesus Christ, even the weakest Christian can resist and defeat him is just too much! (See Romans 16:20, Ephesians 6:11, James 4:7, I Peter 5:9, I John 2:13, Revelation 12:11)
Now You Know
Please understand, the battle is not just about you. The battle is over the will of God. Satan and his cohorts detest what Jesus has done and are determined to launch their tactics. You are valuable to God, but your purpose is connected to the purposes of God and this is why your battle is so severe. The destructive forces of the enemy that have been sent out against you are not directly aimed at you, but at the God of glory within who has purposed to take your life, anoint you with the Holy Spirit and cause you to become meaningful and productive for His glory.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
Satan attacks only what he fears and he fears your future.
But have no fear, child of God, for God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of love, power and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
God has great plans for you! "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you" (Jeremiah 29:11).
And He has provided you with full armor!
Stay tuned!