49-50 The Call To Arms--Part 3

Ephesians 6:12-13

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1089 “Blind” Man Goes to Movies

1089 “Blind” Man Goes To Movies

President Walter G. Clippinger of Otterbein College in Ohio, enjoys the story of the fake blind man.

The pitiable creature, with dark glasses and his little tin cup was standing on the street corner, patiently waiting for some small contribution. A kindly man passed by and generously dropped a dime in the poor old fellow’s cup. Then for some reason he turned around, and to his surprise saw the blind man’s glasses pushed up on his forehead, and his eager eyes closely examining the recent gift.

“I thought you were a blind man,” said the disgruntled donor.

“Oh, no,” was the answer, “I am only substituting for the regular blind man today. I’m not really blind at all.”

“Well, where is the regular blind man?” asked the other.

“Oh, he’s gone to the movies; it’s his afternoon off.”

We are quite easily able to be deceived, aren’t we? Well, one of Satan’s most effective strategy is the delusion that there is no serious threatening conflict between good and evil in the supernatural realm.

It is argued today that things are much better than they used to be. Many of the ancient evils that took place (slavery, race hatred) have disappeared. People have never been so concerned about getting along, unity, peace, understanding each other—working together to improve the betterment of society.

That sort of thinking (world is better now than earlier) is grave, naïve and leads to indifference, indolence & spiritual stagnation. From a biblical perspective it is clear that things are really getting worse. Especially in light of the teaching of Scripture re: end times. This does not leave room for delusion in mind of believer. The war between God & Satan has not diminished but on the contrary—increased/intensified—and will continue to do so until the return of LJC.

It should not surprise us that Satan uses such a tactic as deceit (not a serious threat) to further his attacks on God & His children. But one thing is sure—as Xns we face a titanic battle that cannot be waged in our own strength/wisdom.

We’re studying Ephesians 6 and find very important, practical instruction regarding the believer’s relationship to world and to God’s chief enemy—the devil. We are called to arms in a spiritual war that is very real.

1) Alert to the Battle

We see how Paul calls every believer to be alert to the battle (the call to be strengthened by the power of JC); also to be alert to God’s provision (God’s armor, complete, effective); then we are called to be alert to the enemy (evil, formidable, cunning, powerful, invisible foe against God and mankind) we briefly studied his corrupted character and ceaseless attacks against the church today.

Identifying the Opponents

Primary enemy=Satan

Endless list of wiles/stratagems/methods to attack God & humanity

Several of Satan’s attacks: --See Mayhue Paper

Distort or deny the truth of God’s Word

Discredit the testimony of God’s people

Destroy a Christian’s enthusiasm for God’s work

Dilute the effectiveness of God’s church

Satan is crafty, cunning and a cruel adversary who stealthily, deceptively attacks God’s people and His Work/ministry. But he does not work alone (not omni-present, -scient, -potent) but he is the leader of a great host of fallen angels (Mt 12:24 “ruler of the demons”) who assist him in his opposition.

Eph 6:12;

“Struggle” word used of hand-to-hand combat and generally describes any sort of conflict. It was especially used of wrestling. Wrestling was characterized then by trickery and deception. The difference b/t fights in Rome and today is that the conflict was real then and often a matter of life and death (loser).

Thayer “a contest b/t 2 in which each endeavors to throw the other and which decided when the victor is able to press and hold down his antagonist with hand upon neck…the loser in a Gk wrestling match had his eyes gouged out with resulting blindness for the rest of his life. It was not uncommon for a soldier in full armor to find it necessary to engage in this hand-to-hand combat. Paul is saying this is the nature of our struggle which is no less desperate or critical.

Satan & his followers know that they have been eternally sentenced to the pit of hell prepared for them (Mt 25:41) so they will desperately seek to change that fate if they can—warring ceaselessly to break the power of God and destroy the things of God, especially Xns (the church).

Paul’s reminder that our war is not just against Satan—demons. These are the host of subordinates which have become a vast array of adversaries against us. They are not flesh & blood—invisible—cannot be seen. It is essential to have in mind who the opponent(s) are.

The language of vs 12 seems to indicate a strata or ranking of the demons as they operate within the supernatural empire of evil.

“Against” (repeated in our translations) emphasizes the urgency of demonic activity and the nature and reality of our struggle. This is who we’re warring against. It’s not a war that can be waged from human strength, wisdom, weapons—even human determination. Everything about this war is of a spiritual nature which makes it even more urgent. Now, Satan’s troops are highly organized and structured for the most destructive warfare possible.

Demons do not procreate (like holy angels) number is fixed. But they are a great, ancient multitude (1/3 of total angels created—Rev 12:3-4). These categories are not qualified or explained—but they’re indicated as Paul writes under inspiration of the HS:

1) Rulers—high order of demons. Col 2:15—linked with “authorities” arche“preeminent ones, first ones, leaders”

2) Powers—“authorities”—together these are apparently the demons who constitute the kingdom of the air of Satan.

3) World forces of this darkness—(κοσμοκράτορας—cosmocrats) Wilhelm Michaelis writes “these forces are called rulers of the world in order to bring out the terrifying power of their influence and comprehensiveness of their plans, and thus to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.”

It is believed these are likely demons who have infiltrated various political systems of the world (govt) and attempt to pattern them after Satan’s realm of darkness (see Daniel 10 for example)

We look at these 3 in particular and realize we have no way of absolutely identifying the networking of the countless schemes of Satan. We should also be wary of those who claim to do so. It is apparent that in the world he is active behind the scenes of Christless human endeavors: they include the overtly obvious evil works of men as well as seemingly innocent and good works of humanistic ventures.

4) Spiritual forces of wickedness—possible demons who are involved in the most wretched, defiled, debauched, vile immoralities. It would include extreme activity that manifests itself in perverse sexual practices, the occult, Satanic worship and the like.

Paul’s purpose is not to give us a detailed discourse on the demonic hierarchy but to give us some idea of the power and sophistication we are pitted against in our opponent. It would be a grave danger for us to spend our lives charting every scheme of the devil—but what we ought to do is turn to God’s Word.

What is the key to overcoming evil spirits?

1 John 4:1–4 NASB95

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

There is a great deal said today about the exorcism of demons—esp a word of caution for believers (has been increasing over the past few years…even an app for your phone). Scripture teaches no such practice and rituals of exorcism are foreign to the Bible. In both OT & NT there is not 1 instance of a demon being cast out of a believer. Scripture does not give formulas for such practice.

The struggle we are in is not about finding a technique to send them away. But to be committed to the spiritual means of victory (given in 1 John). Every believer has abundant provision in the strength and armor of the Lord. We have received the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward us who believe (Eph 1:19-20). James gives us the only formula for deliverance from Satan, demons—Jas 4:7.

There is not one child of God who cannot deal with Satan on the basis of the resurrection power of J.C. in which we participate as Xns. Paul prayed

Colossians 1:11–13 NASB95

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Now, it can also be dangerous to presume that we are free from danger. Remember

1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB95

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

We cannot wage war in our own strength—we have not mastered Scripture to live like that. Only when we trust completely in the Lord’s power will there be safety.

Paul went on to say

1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB95

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Recognition of our weakness/proneness to failure is what makes us the strongest—

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB95

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

We know from Scripture that Satan and his demons are continually at work in the world around us. We don’t really have the wisdom to discern when they are present, how many there are, what kind they are, or what they are doing. Saints tread on dangerous ground if we try to deal with things for which Scripture gives no instruction or guidance. So Paul repeats:

Ephesians 6:13 NASB95

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.

It could be easy for Xns esp in our country, where things are generally prosperous, to become complacent and oblivious to the seriousness of the battle. We rejoice in “victories” that don’t involve battles and bask in the kind of peace that is merely the absence of conflict. Many aren’t interested in the armor b/c they don’t see how serious the threat is.

God does not give any exemptions to the war. We are at war and will continue to be until Christ returns to take charge over the earth. Every Xn should be willing and eager to engage in battle but recognize we are helpless without Christ.

RC Sproul “Each Christian is a target of Satan and his angels, and this struggle goes on throughout one’s lifetime. If we are to stand firm we have to be properly equipped for that battle.”

We have the provision of God (armor of God) in being His children, having His Word, possessing His Spirit, having every resource of J.C., His mighty armor.

We must take it up (put it on) b/c every day is evil. Don’t be fooled into thinking things will get better (2 Tim 3:12-13 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” ).

This will continue until the usurper and his evil forces are cast forever into the pit of hell. Meanwhile, we are assured that Christ makes us “able to resist in the evil days.”

Our responsibility is to resist and stand firm. Martin Luther stood before the Diet of Worms he was accused of heresy. After being condemned for declaring that man is saved by faith apart from works, he was commanded to recant but said: “Unless I am convicted by the testimony of Scripture or by evident reason - for I trust neither in popes nor in councils alone, since it is obvious that they have often erred and contradicted themselves - I am convicted by the Scripture which I have mentioned and my conscience is captive by the Word of God. Therefore I cannot and will not recant, since it is difficult, unprofitable and dangerous indeed to do anything against one's conscience. God help me. Amen.”

Every believer who is faithful to God’s Word cannot do otherwise than stand firm. It is heartbreaking to see people who have eagerly fought spiritual battles and later in life turn away and neglect to stand firm.

Paul tells us “having done everything to stand firm”—its not what you have done as a believer but when the battle is over, the smoke clears, will you be found standing true to your Savior?

In the great spiritual battle we are only called to resist and stand firm. As noted earlier—Jas “resist the devil and he will flee” Peter writes 1 Pt 5:8-9

MacArthur writes: “The greatest joys come in the greatest victories. And the greatest victories come from the greatest battles.” Our greatest victory is already won but we must continue to fight in the power and with armor of God.