A Discussion About The Enemy

          I want to talk about the enemy. "What enemy is that?" you might ask. I am talking about an enemy who is very powerful, very cunning, very deceitful; an enemy who on our own, we would not stand a chance of overcoming. I am talking about Satan and the power of darkness. Most people (Christians) feel very superior on this subject, 'oh, him, he doesn't fool me, I recognize his tricks' ha, ha!  Really? Do you really? Lets take some examples from the bible and see if we are justified in this 'confidence'. In Matthew 4, after fasting for 40 days, Jesus is confronted by the tempter (Satan). If you read this passage carefully you will see that Jesus never talks directly to Satan, but quotes scripture each time he addresses him. Why do you think that is? Do you think it's because Jesus can not match Satan in a battle of words? Of course not, the Lord is more than capable of matching anything Satan has to throw at Him. As is the case in many instances in the Gospels, Jesus is setting an example for His followers. While Jesus can match Satan, we cannot (not even close). For us to try and battle Satan with anything other than the Word of God is very dangerous. I guarantee you that Satan is much more adept in using words to create whatever situation or illusion he desires to create, than you or I. Not only that, he knows scripture better than you or I, so don't think having a little bit of biblical knowledge makes you safe. If you notice in Matthew 4, after Jesus quotes scripture to Satan, he then uses scripture as a counter-attack. In fact quoting scripture out of context, or for a purpose other than what it was intended is something you see used all the time in the world and by many so called, televangelists.

          Last night, while doing our bible study, my wife and I studied the 'Transfiguration' described in Matthew chapter 17. One of the questions in our study guide asked 'What do you think was the purpose of showing Peter, John and James this event?' After some thought, an idea occurred to me that I had never thought of before. Jesus took the three men who were to become leaders of His flock to see this event because He knew they were going to need all the strength and faith they could muster, to overcome the enemy after He had left them. They saw the Lord in His heavenly glory, they stood in the presence of God Himself and heard His voice from a cloud! Now think about this; even after seeing such a glorious and amazing event, Satan was still able to fill them with enough doubt and fear that they fled when Jesus was arrested, and Peter denied even knowing Jesus not once, but three times. So my question to you is this; if Satan is capable of creating doubt and fear in someone who has actually stood in the presence of God, what chance do you think you have on your own? I think you can answer that on your own. Fortunately we do not have to overcome Satan on our own, we have a God who has already done it for us if we are wise enough to accept His love and protection. I would liken it to a baby buffalo calf and a pack of wolves. If the calf is smart enough to remain with it's mother and the herd, then it is relatively safe. However if it wanders from that protection then it most certainly will be destroyed. That is exactly the tactic used when a wolf pack hunts. It will try to separate a calf from it's mother and herd.

          So should we live our lives in fear of Satan and darkness? Absolutely not, but by the same token we must not forget that on our own, Satan would sift us as wheat just as he would have sifted Peter if the Lord had allowed it; “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32. On our own we can do nothing. We must do as the Apostle Paul talked about in his Epistle to the Ephesians: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.   Ephesians 6:10-20

          We must never forget this and we must never laugh at or mock things that are beyond our understanding or wisdom. I believe this is what Peter was warning about in 2 Peter 2:10-12 ; This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish. 2 Peter 2:10-12

          In closing I hope you will think on what I have said here. Please pray about it and ask the Lord to guide you.