The enemy’s weapons are few in number, but they are used very effectively. All weapons are built on simple concepts, which have been carefully developed and refined until they reach a point where their target no longer is able to defend adequately against them. The bow and arrow is an improved version of the ancient weapon of rock-throwing, a rifle is an enhanced version of a bow and arrow, etc. The Bible says ~ “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. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6.12,13). The believer’s understanding of the nature of his daily warfare against fallen angels (demons) in the realms of darkness is critical if he is not to become an easy victim. These spirit beings are committed to depriving the believer of all things valuable to him, like family, health, the knowledge of God etc. However, they do not stop there. Satan’s primary goal is not merely robbery and the death (spiritual & physical) of the Christian.
Satan’s Greatest Device
The chief goal the devil is to ‘destroy’ his enemies, which means to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible. ~ “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly” (John 10.10). For this reason is it vital that the Christian is adequately prepared and understands the nature of spiritual warfare. One of the prime weapons in all forms of warfare is what is called ‘intelligence,’ which in modern warfare has become the chief of all weapons. There is no substitute for accurately understand one’s enemy, including his tactics, weapons, objectives and strategies. The Bible says ~ “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2Corinthians 2.11). The word of God directly impelles the child of God to recognize his enemy, while Satan’s greatest device is deception and darkness, or occulting as much as he can. Notice that the realm of Satan is called ‘the Kingdom of Darkness.’ ~ “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast [Satan], and his kingdom became full of darkness” (Revelation 16.10).
The Object of God’s Love
The devil’s entire battalion relies on two major weapons, which are ‘darkness’ and ‘the knowledge of evil.’ Based on these two spiritual laws, Satan has built a very large and sophisticated arsenal, which unfortunately in many ways is winning his war against the human race. The devil’s nature is hate, and his hatred against man is stimulated by the fact that through attacking the human race, which is the object of God’s love, he is able to inflict pain and suffering upon the heart of God. ~ “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12.12).
A Much Lesser Power
The first phase of the enemy’s attack is to remove the Christian as far as possible from the light into spiritual darkness. The two terms ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ in the Bible refer to spiritual knowledge — light is the knowledge of God, His kingdom and His word. Darkness is ignorance and the absence of truth, which is the knowledge of evil. Darkness operates very differently from light. Darkness is not the equal and opposite of light. Light ‘repels’ darkness; however, darkness cannot repel light. Light invades and extinguishes darkness, but darkness cannot either invade nor extinguish light, any more than when a light bulb is turned on can darkness invade the light of the bulb. Hence, it is understood that darkness is ‘the absence of light,’ but light is not the absence of darkness. This is important for many reasons, but for now suffice it to say that it demonstrates how Satan is a much lesser power than God. He is not equal and opposite to God. ~ “He [Jesus] was in the beginning with God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend [resist] it” (John 1.2,4,5).
Demons Cannot Endure Light
The believer should be aware of the spiritual power of the knowledge of the truth, which is ‘light.’ The knowledge of evil (darkness) cannot expel the knowledge of God, but the knowledge of God (light) can indeed expel and eliminate the knowledge of evil. Therefore, the armament of light, which is in possession of the child of God is far superior than Satan’s instruments of darkness. ~ “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13.12). The knowledge of the truth immediately expels with brutal force the agents (demons) of wickedness who inhabit the dark regions. In conclusion, the question must be asked — if the Christian’s weapons are so much superior than those of the enemy, why have they so often so often lost the war against evil? ~ “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3.19).
Overcoming the Sinful Nature
It is a matter of apathy, complacency and alliance of the children of light with kingdom of darkness. Very little actual warfare goes on. It is a sad stain on the human race that in the final analysis, man is his own worst enemy. So, it is not so much Satan as it is the need to overcome the fallen sinful nature of man that sympathizes and collaborates with and enables the kingdom of darkness. Decide today to declare outright war on Satan and the kingdom of darkness, determining resolutely to completely eradicate all darkness (spiritual carnality) from your life, and as darkness flees from a light bulb, so Satan will flee in terror from you, and you will do the works of God, overcoming evil and establishing the Dominion of light.
Ephesians 6:12
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].
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© L. Jonathan Blais 2023 All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.