I want to make sure that we put all things in proper perspective pertaining to Satan and spiritual warfare. In our attempt to destroy a false doctrine we must be very cautious that we do not create another. This is so very true in the teaching of this subject. The call to ministry is a call to an army of invaders. If this world is not our home, then we are the aliens in it. Though we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to work in the kingdom of darkness even as Christ was also called.
St. Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
It is Satan who has held men and women captive since the first sin was committed by man. But now are we sent as sheep among wolves to set the captives free. It is not logical to say that we will not encounter Satan in this venture. He is the one who holds men and women as captives, slaves to his will and enemies of their own souls. But he is our enemy as well. How could he not be our enemy? We are invading his territorial spheres of influence and destroying his power in the lives of those he once ruled.
Though the Father has given us power over all the power of Satan, he will attempt to disarm and discredit us by attacking and/or appealing to our flesh. He will seek to subdue us through the pains of suffering or the pleasures of sin. He appealed to David’s vanity in provoking him to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1). He filled Ananias’s heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3). He tempted Jesus in the wilderness by offering Him a shortcut to power over the nations (Matthew 4:10). He tempted Paul and the Church with trials and tribulations that were designed to cause him and us to turn away from the way of godliness.
The bottom line is this. Satan is the enemy of God and therefore, definitely the enemy of the Church. However, he has no power that the Church has not been given authority over. Satan attacks the church with suggestions and temptations designed to create lust in the flesh. He knows that he cannot possess the saints of God; therefore he seeks to get them to defect by forsaking the righteousness of God and cleaving to the way of the world. His primary weapons are temptation, persecution and tribulation. Against these we are instructed to do all to stand by girding ourselves with the attributes of the Spirit.
I. TEMPTATION
There are many facets of temptation which Satan disburses in the church to ensnare the saints. False doctrines are among these temptations as they are created to promote the will of flesh. Satan is also an expert at making available the pleasures of sin to entice the Sons of God. But we are instructed to keep our mind and bodies under the authority and influence of the Word of God. This is our only defense against temptation.
II. PERSECUTION AND TRIBULATION
We are to love and pray for those who persecute us, not laying the sin to their charge, knowing that they first hated Christ who forgave without controversy. Furthermore, His grace is sufficient for us: for His strength is made perfect in weakness. We should gladly therefore glory in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us. We will take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when we are weak, then are we strong in the Lord (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Satan has no power over the Sons of God. If we submit ourselves to God we are able to resist the devil and he in turn will flee. On the other hand, we are to invade his dark territories with the light of the gospel and set his captives free. As we walk in the light of the glorious gospel, the devil must obey and submit to the authority of Christ Jesus. The question is . . . are we supposed to fight the devil? I think the answer can be found in the following passages.
1 Timothy 6:3-12
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
When we encounter Satan while ministering in the lives of others, it is the speaking of the Word and the power of the Holy Ghost that causes the enemy to depart. It is the speaking of the Word that heals sickness and disease. The Word and the impartation of the Holy Ghost is what set the captives free. Is there a fight here? There is no fight in the working of the gift of God. So where is the warfare Paul speaks of? It is true that demons are subject to the Sons of God. They are powerless when the Son commands them to depart or when the gifts are working through us. There are no examples in the script where men and women of God wrestled with demons and devils in the ministry or operation of our various gifts. All are subject to the Spirit of God. However, the devil is cunning and crafty. He has spiritual wickedness in high places that are instructed by him to come against the saints with temptations, persecutions or tribulations.
These are accomplished in physical attacks, financial or economic status, relationships, distresses and governmental policies that tend to corrupt the moral fiber of our nations. But we are instructed to fight the good fight of faith; to keep our bodies in submission to the Word and will of God. We are to put on the whole armor which is simply to walk in the Spirit and resist the devil. The walk in the Spirit is our weapon of offense against the works of the devil in the lives of others. It is also our defense against the wiles of devil as he attacks us. Be strong in the Lord my sister and my brother. Be strong in the power of His might.
