A Dumb Idea to Downplay the Devil

IL.message series promo

Day 5 – A Dumb Idea to Downplay the Devil   

 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

 

It’s a dumb idea to downplay the devil. A quick survey of the devil in scripture ought to fix that.  

 

In Genesis 3, he appears as a serpent. Snakes don’t close their eyes. They are the only reptiles that don’t have eyelids and don’t cry. Just like these creatures, Satan and his demons are watching and waiting to seek to harm you.

 

In Revelation 12:9, he is described as a Dragon! Dragons breathe fire, fly, and are enormous creatures that can kill and destroy. In 1 Peter 5:8, he is described as a lion, seeking someone to devour. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, he is called the “god of this age,” who has blinded many into believing in him instead of the true God. In John 8:44, Jesus called him a murder. In John 10:10, Jesus said he will “kill, steal, and destroy”. Jesus’ words alone ought to put a healthy fear into every believer.

 

With nearly 40% of Christians showing a lack of belief in the devil and less than 20% of young Christians having ever heard Biblical teaching on the subject, it’s no wonder that there is so much evil in our world. The Apostle Paul, in essence, said there is a fight behind the fight. It’s not against people, it’s against a real and definite army of demons and spiritual beings.

 

Who are the Devil’s helpers? Paul called them “rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12). This suggests roles and responsibilities, ranks and orders of demonic soldiers that assist Satan in his work against God’s Kingdom and God’s people. The Apostle John hinted that one-third of the angels fell with Satan when he rebelled against God (Rev. 12:4). With that being said, it’s important to note this implies there are roughly two-thirds of the angels remaining and are still standing strong as God’s Angel Army!

 

In the book of Daniel, we read that there is a battle for territory between two groups of angels. God’s angels and Satan’s angels. It’s for glory and the Kingdom! It’s a Kingdom of God and his army waging war with the Kingdom of Satan and his demonic, fallen angels (Dan. 10:13–20). This spiritual battle is going on in our world and in the sphere of “the heavenly places,” and you and I are a part of this battle. And as we pray and give worship to Jesus, we advance the spiritual soldiers to attack the enemy.

 

This Sunday, watch Pastor Ryan’s sermon online on Weapons of Warfare!

Leave a Comment

Comments for this post have been disabled.