Behind the Scenes

What is going on Behind the Scenes?

In Ephesians 6:12 we read “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Simply put our warfare is not against to things we can see, but against a hierarchy of demonic powers all waging “psyops” against the world of man and believers in particular. This warfare is all but invisible to us. We may be aware of the whispers of trouble if we are very aware, but for the most part we are oblivious to the pernicious violence from these elite powers all around us and they prefer it that way. To be invisible is to be largely unchallenged by Christians girded with the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13)

Satan, who is ‘the god of this world’ (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31) would prefer to be thought of as a funny little red man with horns and a pitch-fork rather than an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). The most effective “psyop” is when you don’t really fear your opponent. When he can act without detection or setting off alarms. When you are comfortable reasoning with him.

In all the Bible we get the clearest picture of what might be going on behind the scenes in the book of Job.

Job 1:6–7 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”” (see 1 Peter 5:8 for a similar description of Satan as your adversary a roaring lion)

We see a glimpse of the throne room of God, heavenly beings participating in a divine meeting, and Satan or as the Hebrew describes him as שָׂטָן הַ hǎ śā·ṭān - the accuser. Notice that the definite article hǎ is included. The satan, the accuser - not so much a proper name as a personal descriptive, “the antagonist” or “the adversary”.

Job 1:8 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?””

Behind the scenes God is bragging about Job. “There is none like him on the earth”. What follows is an extreme example for us of what Satan can do. With God’s permission Satan turns up the heat, but the real story is Job’s loyalty. Without the faintest clue about the heavenly drama, Job is subjected to and overcomes tragedy. He is our example of faith when subjected to Satan’s attention. Let’s look at Job for more lessons.

Divine Coincidences

Luke 10:29-37 Describes the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In it verse 31 tells us, “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.” Jesus describes three men, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan walked down the street “by chance”. He uses this coincidence to give a lesson on compassion. This also illustrates the situations in life that some things just seem to happen “by chance”.

Albert Einstein is often quoted saying, “coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous”. He is orchestrating things in our lives to further His will and plan for us. I mention this because not all coincidences are God arranged, some are from the enemy. You might call these “omens” or “superstitions”, or “feelings”. You’re thinking about a two week mission trip and get a call about a free two week vacation! What a coincidence.

How do I know if it is from God or am I the subject of a devilish “psyop”? This is an important thing to understand. How do I respond to the random chance thing that happen? First, not everything is demons. Second, don’t be hyper-spiritual about life or everything becomes a sign. Dreams, random events, clouds… all take the place of the Word of God. Lastly the answer is compare events with the Word and live in the objectivity it provides.

Sure, God uses events, people, coincidences to speak to us, but we need to filter these things through the Word and seek His face. Being in fellowship with the Light is the surest way for us to discern when darkness creeps in to distract us.

Suffering - What’s the Point?

We started to consider the story of Job and Satan’s influence in his life. Job, of course underwent tremendous suffering. We might ask what was the point and why God allowed Satan to perform such a severe “psyop” on him.

Suffering exists because sin exists.

Suffering perfects us.

Jesus suffered so we may be made whole.

Suffering is just for a time.

Suffering may be a consequence of sin, but it may be a loving discipline to bring us to Christ.

Suffering may be from identifying with Christ, a righteous persecution.

Suffering might be a refining fire that purifies our soul.

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”

1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

God brags about Job

Job 1:8 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?””

We saw earlier that God was not angry at Job. He was actually bragging and Satan asked for an opportunity to test him. How did Job respond in his trial? Satan was allowed to take away his fortune, his family, and eventually his health. He was left with a wife whose advise is found in Job 2:9 “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”” Not much better advise came from his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. They considered Job’s suffering a result of some sin in his life. Many of us would think the same.

It’s easy for us to understand what was going on with Job, we have read of the meeting in heaven and the permissions God gave to Satan. “Psyops” are not so easy to understand. What is going on in this life is often very obscure and not so crystal clear. Our friends are quick to explain. Some are spiritual and some not so much, but many offer some reason for our problems.

In the end our suffering should always lead us to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) where we can get help. Then turn to the Word for answers.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Psyop Failure

Job 38:1–3 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.”

God addresses Job out of a whirlwind. He offered words of encouragement and words of reproof. He is done letting Satan influence the situation any more and is going to bring order. In this dramatic scene God offers some enlightenment to Job. In times like this we all need to see life from God’s perspective. Divine viewpoint clears up all the “psyops’ and confusion.

Job 42:7 “And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.

Job’s friends may have been well intentioned, but did not offer counsel from the Word. They accused Job of some sin and could not even suspect that Satan had any hand in what transpired. They were offering counsel from a human perspective. While they may have been using spiritual terminology they lacked the truth of the Word. They were soundly rebuked and were commanded to offer sacrifice for the sin of ungodly counsel .

Job 42:10 “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:12 “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.”

In the end, Job prayed for his friends. Human relationships are only strengthened when God is in the midst. Job may never have fully known the depth of Satan’s “psyop”. He may not have suspected all the details, but he responded to God in faith and God blessed him.