Today's post is by Keith Ward, part 2 of last month's topic.
Though it is clear that demons no longer inhabit and control people as they did in New Testament times, that does not mean that demons are no longer active.
I am often frustrated and sometimes get sinfully angry because things are "out to get me." Many times, things have happened to ruin a project or a chore in such an unlikely way as to make winning the lottery a sure thing. A few times, things have gone wrong in ways that clearly violated the laws of physics. No. Really!
Sounds like paranoia right? But, that does not mean it is not happening. Consider Job. Satan said to God, "Bet you I can make him sin." God replied, "No you can't; go to it." Now, we know the story of Job losing everything by natural (?) means in a series of events so improbable that we would hoot and throw popcorn if it were in a movie instead of the Bible.
Peter warns, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1Pet 5:8). Do we not realize that just like he did with Job, Satan is using natural means to destroy us? We hit all the lights green when we have time to spare, and red when we are running late. The opportunity for pornography, or alcohol, or theft, or slander or….arises when it seems impossible for us to be caught. Who do you think makes these things happen? That teaching that makes something we want to do seem so right entices us because "even Satan fashions himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works." (2Cor 11:14-15).
Demons, agents of Satan, are everywhere working to destroy our walk and turn our claim to be Christians into a mockery. Sometimes things do "fall up." Sometimes we do believe something we want to be true in spite of unclear logic supporting it. Whatever it takes, that evil one will do in hopes of destroying us. Beware!
Physical ailments can be "messenger(s) of Satan to buffet" us (2Cor 12:7).
Our best and noblest plans can be hindered by Satan (1Thess 2:18).
Evil men arise to power in the world "according to the working of Satan" (2Thess 2:9).
It helps me to deal with my weaknesses to realize that things do not just "happen to happen." Satan is out to get me. God so warned. I am not a victim of circumstances. I am the target of evil trying to destroy me. My faith is challenged and rises up to defend my soul when I know I am in a warfare and deadly missiles are being aimed at me. I hope this will help you do the same.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:10-12).
Keith Ward
Though it is clear that demons no longer inhabit and control people as they did in New Testament times, that does not mean that demons are no longer active.
I am often frustrated and sometimes get sinfully angry because things are "out to get me." Many times, things have happened to ruin a project or a chore in such an unlikely way as to make winning the lottery a sure thing. A few times, things have gone wrong in ways that clearly violated the laws of physics. No. Really!
Sounds like paranoia right? But, that does not mean it is not happening. Consider Job. Satan said to God, "Bet you I can make him sin." God replied, "No you can't; go to it." Now, we know the story of Job losing everything by natural (?) means in a series of events so improbable that we would hoot and throw popcorn if it were in a movie instead of the Bible.
Peter warns, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1Pet 5:8). Do we not realize that just like he did with Job, Satan is using natural means to destroy us? We hit all the lights green when we have time to spare, and red when we are running late. The opportunity for pornography, or alcohol, or theft, or slander or….arises when it seems impossible for us to be caught. Who do you think makes these things happen? That teaching that makes something we want to do seem so right entices us because "even Satan fashions himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works." (2Cor 11:14-15).
Demons, agents of Satan, are everywhere working to destroy our walk and turn our claim to be Christians into a mockery. Sometimes things do "fall up." Sometimes we do believe something we want to be true in spite of unclear logic supporting it. Whatever it takes, that evil one will do in hopes of destroying us. Beware!
Physical ailments can be "messenger(s) of Satan to buffet" us (2Cor 12:7).
Our best and noblest plans can be hindered by Satan (1Thess 2:18).
Evil men arise to power in the world "according to the working of Satan" (2Thess 2:9).
It helps me to deal with my weaknesses to realize that things do not just "happen to happen." Satan is out to get me. God so warned. I am not a victim of circumstances. I am the target of evil trying to destroy me. My faith is challenged and rises up to defend my soul when I know I am in a warfare and deadly missiles are being aimed at me. I hope this will help you do the same.
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 6:10-12).
Keith Ward
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