Battling the Forces of Evil

Acts 19:8–16 KJV 1900

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Don’t use someone else’s spirituality as cover for your own walk with God, and never fall for the message that your own wisdom is enough. (follow your heart)

1 Corinthians 3:18–21 KJV 1900

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

Though these men were religious, and by man’s standards were probably good people. Though they had knowledge of the enemy and had witnessed the method to defeat the enemy. They lacked two very important things.

They had no protection

They had no power

We may be tempted to think, I’m not going to be fighting any demons or trying to overcome Satanic powers. But we must remember that every part of the Christian life is a struggle between good and evil.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Even something as simple as the thoughts that you think can become a battleground of spiritual warfare. Why is it sometimes so difficult to do what’s right? Two reasons, the flesh, and the devil.

Hebrews 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Remember, in a race you do have an opponent. Our opponent is not the Christian running with us, but the darkness which we run through. Our adversaries are the traps which are laid to trip us.

Become serious about your armor

Do you put on your armor every day or is it something that you have today and neglect tomorrow?

Do you realize the pride that is shown when we think that we can stand on our own? We would never stand up and say we don’t need God’s help, but we might just skip out on His Word for today if its not convenient.

Become serious about repentance

Acts 19:17–18 KJV 1900

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

These were believers who had been dabbling in sin. Whether they were dabbling in the occult or in something much less sinister, they recognized their need for confession and restoration.

God does more for us when we stop worrying about the consequences and being worrying about being right with Him.

Become serious about sacrifice

Acts 19:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

When God points out something in your life that needs to go, which do you do first? Count the cost or light the fire? They gathered together the wicked works and burned them, and by the way, then they counted up how much they had burned.

When we are ready to give up anything for God, we are ready for a mighty work of God in our lives.

God’s Word prevailed here. God’s power is limitless, what makes the difference in whether or not His Word prevails is the soil that the seed finds when it is sown in your heart.