As Christians, we often underestimate our enemy. The Bible doesn't shy away from telling us exactly who we're up against in our spiritual journey. Today, we'll explore what Scripture reveals about our adversary and why understanding this battle is crucial for our walk with Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-13 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
A lot of people don't dress for spiritual battle because they don't realize we are in a war. They don't recognize the cunning, powerful, and relentless nature of Satan who, according to Scripture, is trying to destroy them.
When we look at the person of Satan in Scripture, the Bible says that he is the most beautiful creature ever made by God. The term Lucifer literally means "shining one" or "son of the dawn." God created him as a musician, charged with leading the angels and choirs of heaven in worship.
But we read in Isaiah 14:13-14 that pride entered Lucifer's heart. Five times in these verses, we hear "I will" statements: "I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God, I will sit on the mount of assembly, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High." This rebellion led him to take one-third of the angels with him.
Paul tells us in Ephesians that our enemy is cunning. The word for "schemes" is methodia, meaning Satan has various methods he employs to attack us when we're most vulnerable. He targets us when we're idle, discouraged, doubting, overconfident, alone, busy, or tired.
Satan is also powerful. Our battle isn't just against one supernatural being but an entire host of spiritual forces with differentiated rank, focus, and capability. According to Scripture, there's an army of demons with a unified, specific plan of evil intended to bring down and destroy God's people.
Finally, Satan is relentless. Ephesians 6:16 refers to "the flaming arrows of the evil one" – volley after volley of attacks. Like a lion hunting prey, Satan doesn't announce his presence but prowls quietly, waiting for the moment you're least suspecting.
But here's our hope: "Greater is He that is in us than the evil one" (1 John 4:4). The reality for every Christian is that if you're in Christ, you have His strength, and therefore you have hope in the battle.
In what areas of your life might you be most vulnerable to Satan's schemes right now?
How has the normalization of sin in our culture affected your own perception of right and wrong?
What specific steps can you take today to "be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength"?
Stay dialed in,
Jonny Ardavanis