Let’s play a game. I’ll say a word and you say its opposite.
- hot
- tall
- happy
- fast
- good
- Satan
Who did you put as Satan’s opposite?
The devil wants us to believe God is his opposite or equal. He’s not. Jesus is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephes. 1:21 NIV).
Satan’s opposite is Michael the archangel, the chief prince of angels. God created both. Don’t let Satan deceive you. God and Satan are not in a tug of war struggling to see who wins. Why is this important? Because you and I, my friend, live in spiritual warfare.
The church I grew up in didn’t talk about the devil or spiritual warfare. I learned about this when I joined an international ministry out of college. Spiritual warfare isn’t isolated to areas with witch doctors or to those in ministry. Spiritual battles rage in our universities, government, churches, and minds.
Satan works to divide our minds, families, churches, and nation. He wants us to doubt ourselves, our calling, and God’s word. He seeks to move us away from truth and against each other.
Some areas of spiritual warfare are subtle.
- I asked a group of women, “If you experience accusations and taunts in your mind when you drive home from Bible study, please raise your hands.” Hands shot up all around the room.”Our enemy doesn’t want us to grow in our faith. Beware of thoughts and doubts that hinder your efforts to grow spiritually.
- A successful business entrepreneur confided before her book came out, “I feel like a fraud. Who am I to come across as an expert?” Our enemy doesn’t want us to live purposeful lives that help others. “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12 NLT). Self-doubt, discouragement or, as with Job, illness, attacks against family, and storms (natural and cyberspace) may assail you in an effort to derail you.
Knowing the Truth Protects Us in Spiritual Warfare
Jesus is the truth. The better we know Him the quicker we recognize which thoughts and ideas don’t align with Him. The quicker we see through deceptive narratives the less harm they accomplish.
Jesus is the truth. The better we know Him the quicker we recognize which thoughts and ideas don’t align with Him. Click To TweetJesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NIV).
Walk in Faith, Not in Fear
Many years ago, I led a team to host Freedom in Christ’s Stomping Out the Darkness conference for youth and their parents. On the morning of the adult conference, the electricity went out only on our small cul-de-sac. I had to shower at a friend’s house. The speaker was staying with us. We reasoned that God had something big planned for Satan to try this.
The day of the youth conference, the tables turned. Some students who’d attended Friday evening couldn’t make the Saturday conference until after their SATs. Saturday morning, someone hit the light pole in the school parking lot of the SATs, knocking out the power. The students made the conference on time.
At the end of the conference, the emcee opened the mic for conferees to share what God had done for them. For over an hour student after student shared how God had touched them. Some publicly apologized to other students. Some came to Christ. Others rededicated their lives to Him. Many destroyed their anti-Christian music and DVDs. God was glorified.
Yes, the battle is real. If we aren’t aware, we’ll ignore our resources and live in danger of being sidelined—or worse—used by the enemy to hinder God’s work. God is greater than our enemy, and He has assured our victory. Let’s be alert and walk in victory.
Do you think it’s important to recognize the spiritual dimension of everyday life and battles? Why or why not?
Blessings,
Resources
Here are some books I recommend.
- Victory Over the Darkness by Neil Anderson
- Stomping Out the Darkness
- Give Yourself a Break
- Little Strength, Big God
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InstaEncouragements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
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Either an unhealthy obsession or a naive ignorance of Satan’s devices can be dangerous to our spiritual health! Thanks for sharing your experience!
So true, Michele. We want to live Christ-focused and aware of our enemy’s schemes.
Jesus is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephes. 1:21 NIV).
Yes, we acknowledge the enemy prowls around looking for whom he can devour. But we fix our eyes on JESUS. And that’s where our hope and peace come from.
Yes! What a Savior!
Oh yes Debbie I do! I think all too often we overlook the spiritual aspect of what may be going on and then don’t see the whole picture.
Ann, we need our spiritual armor! But if we don’t believe there is a battle we run around vulnerable to attack.
Debbie,
Absolutely. Release of Operation Javelin is less than a month away, and I’ve experienced it, for sure. Any time we do kingdom work, we face it. Praise God that all we have to do is call on the name of Jesus. His angels are ready and waiting to be unleashed.
Jennifer, I just prayed for you and your conference. We’ve experienced many obstacles and seen God provide amazing victory. Please share how He words for you too.
The warfare is everywhere! Sometimes I fall into thinking only the “big” things are spiritual warfare, but there are plenty of “small” things, too — things that might seem small on the surface but turn out to be big because they slow us down or knock us off from God’s track. Doubts, fears and distractions — three of the biggies the enemy uses against me. Thanks for your practical advice and encouragement to keep our focus in the right place!
Thank you, Leigh. You’re so right. Small distractions can hinder us and nudge us off track as well as big ones.
Your first sentence was an great beginning for this excellent article, Debbie. Yes, Satan uses us as pawns in his battle with God whenever he can. On our own, we’re at a disadvantage because we inherited his nasty sin from way back. But with God, we have victory. We never need fear. I also love the resources you recommended. Thanks!
Thank you, Annie. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory!
I initially thought Satan’s opposite was me, because God is far superior to all and has no equal, because Michael the Archangel (who was once his equal) is now his better because he defeated Lucifer and threw him out of heaven, and I’m the one who does battle with Satan’s temptations, etc. As I read your post and thought more about it, I’m not the one battling Satan. I’m the one resisting Satan, but the battle is God’s. So, since Satan is far less than God, as am I, then perhaps the angel Michael is the best answer. Angels are less than God but more than humans, and that’s the same category Satan fits into, isn’t it? Lots to think about and build upon here Ms. Debbie. Great post ma’am.
J.D., there is lots to think about. And you’re so right, we can’t fight Satan in our strength. He is powerful. But God is greater, and I’m in Christ, and Christ is in me, and Christ is over every name and ruler in heaven and earth!
I love the point you make here, Debbie. Satan is a creation. He is in no way equal to God. Wonderful message! God bless!
Yes! Our God is far greater. Thanks, Nancy!
Debbie, thank you for reminding us to recognize the enemy but not fear him.
Thank you, Jeannie. I appreciate your reading it.
Your message points out the reality of spiritual warfare. Jesus prosmised us that would happen–that we’d need to take up our cross if we followed Him. And, of course, the more we follow Jesus, the more the devil wants to put up roadblocks and temptations. Your examples show how the devil tries to undermine our faith and make us doubt our Lord. Your message assures us of our Father’s faithfulness. Thank you, Debbie–we all face spiritual warfare and you’ve provided a message to strengthen our resolve.
Thanks for adding your insights, Katherine. I think it is important to recognize the battle that goes on in our minds.
My dad used to say that Satan’s biggest victory was convincing the world he does not exist. We must be aware of his tactics and put on the armor of God daily.
Yvonne, your dad spoke truth. We tend to swing to one extreme or the other. Deny his existence or give him too much attention.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. So often we allow the enemy to worm his way into our thoughts, which is where the battle starts. May we immerse ourselves in prayer and God’s Word so we are fortified with truth against the the enemy’s lies.
Yes! God’s word is a plumb line that protects us on all fronts. Thanks, Joanna.
Debbie, Thank you for joining us on our Grace & Truth Link-Up and sharing your valuable contribution to our community! Oh, I did choose Jesus. Thank you for setting me straight. I will proudly feature it on my Pinterest board for Grace & Truth Featured Posts. You can see your feature here—
https://www.pinterest.com/embracingtheune/grace-truth-christian-link-up-featured-posts/.
We have had some changes to our link-up. You can see all of them here.
https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/grace-truth-a-weekly-christian-blog-link-up/
Wonderful. Thank you, Maree Dee for hosting each week and for highlighting this.
Yes, the battle is real. Satan will try to enter through our eyes and ears to keep us from making an impact for Jesus. We must be aware and alert. I want to share how a prayer I prayed on my way home from a Bible study changed my life. You see, I had this stronghold in a blind spot; it was my obsession to locate the son I had given up for adoption when I was nineteen and unmarried. I prayed, Lord, it’s been thirty-nine years; you must not mean for me to meet him this side of heaven. Your will be done, so be it. I felt lighter and went home and to bed. The next day, I had a phone call; my son was looking for me. Praise God, He is Faithful!
Glenda, that story touched me deeply. Praise God you heard His gentle Spirit and He answered the desire of your heart!