Living for God: Spiritual Warfare and Evangelism

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Devil

The Devil brought sin into the world (cf. 2 Cor 11:3) and is the ruler of this world (Luke 4:6; Eph 6:11–12; cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2). In this capacity he tried to tempt Jesus (Matt 4:1–11 par.) and tempted Judas to betray him (John 13:2, 27; cf. Luke 22:3, 31). He is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44; Rev 12:9) disguised as an angel of light (cf. 2 Cor 11:14). He keeps the gospel from unbelievers (Luke 8:12 par.; cf. 2 Cor 4:4), who are under his lordship (cf. Acts 26:18; Eph 2:2; Col 1:13), oppresses humankind (Acts 10:38), causes illness (cf. Luke 13:11–16; 2 Cor 12:7), and those under his control are his children (John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10). He is working to lure Christians to him and trap them in sin (Eph 4:27; 1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 2:26; 1 Pet 5:8), to hinder their work (cf. 1 Thess 2:18), and to accuse them (1 Tim 3:6–7; cf. Rev 12:10). The Church must be on guard against his wiles (Eph 6:11; Jas 4:7; cf. 2 Cor 2:11). He has the power of death over those outside the Church (Heb 2:14; cf. 1 Cor 5:5), but not the Christian (cf. 1 John 4:4; 5:18).

Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil (Heb 2:14–15; 1 John 3:8; cf. Eph 1:21–22) and to cast him from heaven (Luke 10:18; Rev 12:9; cf. John 12:31). Christ’s victory is yet to be consummated (cf. 1 Cor 15:24–26; Heb 10:12–13). The Devil will intensify his work against humankind and God in the last days (Rev 12:12; cf. 2 Thess 2:9–10), only to be hindered by Christ (Rev 20:2) and be thrown into eternal fire with his angels (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10).

Bibliography

Question 1: When you think of Satan, what do you think of? What do you think he does?

Question 2: Is Satan as powerful as God? Is he all-knowing?

No, Satan is not like God, when we think of the world as just good vs. evil we fall into Dualism

Dualism is on a collision course with Christianity. The Christian faith has no stock in dualism. Satan may be opposed to God, but he is by no means equal to God. Satan is a creature; God is the Creator. Satan is potent; God is omnipotent. Satan is knowledgeable and crafty; God is omniscient. Satan is localized in his presence; God is omnipresent. Satan is finite; God is infinite. The list could go on. But it is clear from Scripture that Satan is not an ultimate force in any sense.

So, in thinking about Satan, we don’t need to fall into a lot of the same old traditional thoughts that aren’t really based on the Bible.

Satan isn’t everywhere tempting everybody.

If you’re struggling with sin, its more than likely just because of your own sinfulness.

Question 3: What do you think Spiritual Warfare is?

So knowing who are enemy is now we can drift into spiritual warfare.

This isn’t normally things like exorcisms we see in the movies, but in reality it is a war for truth.

Satan and the evil of the world, is more focused on developing evil ideologies and beliefs, and the followers of these ideas are then used to persecute God’s people.

We as Christians are warriors in battle against these false ideas and those who are blinded by them and their own sin.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 CSB

For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Ephesians 6:10–12 CSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

Question 4: Do you think it's important to understand how the devil and other evil spirits work, in order to encourage us in living for God?

It helps us take seriously the command to go and make disciples, and to snatch people from the fire.