In our last meditation we saw
that the apostle Paul instructs all God’s children: “Put on the full armour
of God so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks
of the Devil.” ( Ephesians 6:11*). In the next verse the apostle
further explains why this full armour of God is imperative.
“We are not fighting
against people made of flesh and blood...” (Ephesians 6:12*)
In Ephesians 6:12 Paul tells the
Christians in Ephesus (Turkey) that God doesn’t want us to fight against fellow
human beings even if they hate us. Jesus Himself teaches us: “Love your
enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44*)
The literal rendering of the
originally Greek text says: “Our wrestling is not with flesh and blood...”
Wrestling in Paul’s time was a one-on-one encounter with an adversary either in
sport or in war. However, the personal wrestling of Jesus’ followers is not
with humans, but with demonic powers. During our entire Christian life these
powers keep launching attacks on our ‘old’ sinful nature aiming at hindering,
blocking and if possible even at destroying Christ’s life within us.
The apostle Paul continues
describing these manifold demonic beings that we might face during those one-on-one
encounters. Let’s have a look at how Paul portrays them:
“We are ... fighting ... against
the evil rulers (1) and authorities 2 (2) of the unseen
world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world (3),
and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms (4).” ( Ephesians
6:12*)
In this text Paul specifies what Satan’s
infernal army is made of:
(1)
The evil rulers (Greek: the ‘archontes’). It seems that the apostle
points here to the supernatural commanders-in-chief of the demonic armies.
Jesus speaks of Satan as the ‘supreme commander-in-chief’ who will be judged at
Christ’s cross: “The time of judgment for the world has come, when the
prince (Greek: archon) of this world will be cast out.” (John 12:31*)
(2)
The authorities (Greek: the ‘exousias’). They might be the diabolic
‘authorities’ in rank below the commanders-in-chief. Some commentators think that
Paul points here to a system of hierarchical relationships in Satan’s infernal army.
We find the same sequence of these two words (i.e., rulers and authorities) in
Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus when he writes: “I pray that you
will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who
believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and
seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now
He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or
anything else in this world or in the world to come.” (Ephesians 1:19-21*).
Again, Paul uses this sequence in his letter to the believers in Colossae
(Turkey): “... God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities.
He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross of Christ.” (Colossians
2:15*).
Finally,
Paul utilizes the term ‘exousia’ also when he speaks about
Satan: “You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin,
obeying Satan, the mighty prince (Greek: ‘exousia’) of the power of the
air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”
(Ephesians 2:2*)
(3)
The mighty powers of darkness who rule this world (Greek: the ‘kosmokratoras’).
This is the only verse in the Bible where this Greek term is used. It is known
in the world outside the Holy Scriptures and might point to evil powers who hold
sway over our world (Greek: ‘kosmos’).
(4)
The wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. These are the spirit-forces of
evil, Satan’s host of demons, who attack and seduce men.
As
I said before, some Bible commentators think that Paul points here to a system
of hierarchical relationships in Satan’s infernal army. Others believe that
Paul does not speak of different groups but uses synonymous descriptions of the
diabolic powers that control humankind. Whatever our opinion might be, it is
clear that the apostle sees behind humanity and its civilizations the demonic
forces of Satan and his hosts. Paul explains to the Christians in Corinth that “Satan,
the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe,
so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining
upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of
Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4*)
In
the days before His death, Jesus also points to the fact that Satan tries to manipulate
men into speaking and acting against God’s will. Matthew writes: “From then
on Jesus began to tell His disciples plainly that He had to go to Jerusalem,
and He told them what would happen to Him there. He would suffer at the hands
of the leaders and the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. He
would be killed, and He would be raised on the third day. But Peter took Him
aside and corrected Him. ‘Heaven forbid, Lord,’ he said. ‘This will never
happen to You!’ Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from Me, Satan!
You are a dangerous trap to Me. You are seeing things merely from a human point
of view, and not from God's.’” (Matthew 16:21-23*)
Another
classical illustration of Satan’s assault on man, we find in the Book of Job.
Here God allows Satan to attack Job in various ways so that Job can prove his faithfulness
to the Lord. It is another example of Satan’s intervention in the physical
world. However, in reading this Book of Job it is important to note that
Satan’s power solely depends on God’s allowance. We can find the same testimony in
the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelations.
The
apostle John writes: “The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to
the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9**). The New Living
Translation renders: “This great dragon-- the ancient serpent called the
Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world-- was thrown down to the
earth with all his angels.” (Revelation 12:9*)
Then
John continues lamenting: “... terror will come on the earth and the sea.
For the Devil has come down to you in great anger, and he knows that he has
little time." (Revelation 12:12*)
Yet,
in spite of Satan’s scheming, the apostle Paul is convinced that he has no
claim anymore on the children of God! The apostle rejoices over the fact that “God
has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has
brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.” (Colossians 1:13*)
Furthermore,
Paul exclaims: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels
nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height
nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from
the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39*)
The
apostle Jude finalizes his letter by using these remarkable and comforting
words: “All glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who
will bring you into His glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy.”
(Jude 1:24*)
Paul’s
awareness of the demonic presence of Satan and his armed forces might lead some
to suspect Satanic attacks in every day-to-day situation. Others might totally reject
the idea of any diabolical activity behind human actions. I think that both
opinions are incorrect in the light of God’s Word. The Old and New Testament
testify frequently to the possible influence of the demonic in human life. Yet,
nowhere do we read that man is simply a puppet on a string in a diabolical drama. In
God’s eyes we remain responsible for our actions and allegiances.
The
apostle Paul wants God’s children to be prepared for Satan’s possible assaults.
That’s why he gives us the necessary instructions how to protect ourselves
against the devil’s evil scheming. The apostle urges:
“Use every piece of God's
armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you
will still be standing firm.” ( Ephesians 6:13*)
In
the next meditation we will see how I can use every piece of God’s armor to
protect Jesus’ life within me in the battles with Satan’s infernal army.
Translation: * New Living Translation; ** New
International Version.
About the questions
“Who is Satan?” and “Can we blame Satan for all our wrongdoings?” see
meditations 19-21.
About “How to overcome
the power of sin in my life and in my church?” see meditations 101-121.
