The Unseen Enemy!
If I asked you who your enemy is in a politically
charged country, the Democrats would be quick to point to Republicans as their
enemies and vice versa. But are they? Are people our enemies, or do we face a
real enemy we don't see? In 1941, three men who escaped from a Siberian gulag
trekked 4,000 miles through Mongolia, China, and Tibet to India.
They struggled through savage snowstorms in Siberia,
burning thirst in the Gobi Desert, harrowing heights in the Himalayas, and
imminent starvation everywhere. Despite the severity of those conditions, the
enemy that threatened to destroy them was unseen. Had they surrendered to
despair and hopelessness, their dream of freedom would have ended as another
nightmare. The movie The
Way Back (2010) depicts their journey.
We can challenge and fight an enemy that is seen and
known to us, but how can we fight an unknown and unseen enemy? That was
precisely what the Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian believers about when he
wrote these words in Ephesians 6:10-12. Why did Paul write these challenging
words to the Ephesian believers, and what do we know about our Unseen Enemy?
I. Ephesus: A City of Sorcerers, Exorcists, and Idol
Worshipers
Ephesus was the capital
city of a Roman province in Asia. Ephesus was a significant center of trade. It
was also the location of the great temple of Artemis, or Diana, which was built in 550 BC. Much of the Ephesian industry was related to this temple. Artisans
sold shrines and household images of the goddess so worshipers could take on
long journeys. A silversmith named
Demetrius made a lot of money by making silver shrines of Artemis. (Acts 19:35).[1] As
a Hellenistic city, Ephesus was a home for sorcerers and exorcists. There was
even a family business of exorcism by a Jewish high priest, Sceva, and his seven sons (Acts
19:13-16).
To
such a pagan city of Ephesus, Paul brought the gospel by teaching about the
power of Christ and performing extraordinary miracles for about two years. Even
handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were placed on the sick; their
illness was cured, and evil spirits left them. The fear of God gripped many
Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus. Several sorcerers brought their scrolls
worth fifty thousand drachmas (several million dollars) and burned them
publicly. (Acts 19:17). The Ephesian Church was born under miraculous
circumstances.
The
Ephesian believers knew what Paul was referring to when he said, "Vs.
10-12, "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 powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
The Ephesians knew who their enemy was. Do we know who our Unseen Enemy is?
II. The Unseen Enemy
In
a success-driven world, people would retort to anything to succeed. They
demonize people, casting them as their enemies and even harming them to meet
their selfish needs. Paul made the Ephesian believers realize that people were
not their enemies but the evil forces were. The unseen enemy of Christians and
the Church of Jesus is not the people but the Devil, also known as Satan and
his followers. What does the Bible say about our Unseen Enemy?
In our study, we will explore several
questions. What is the origin of Satan? How and why did he fall? What is his
nature? What is his final destiny? What are the fallen angels called? How do
Satan and his followers attack God's People? How can we stand against the
Devil?
In Colossians 1:15-16, we read, "For in him, all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
It was Jesus that Paul referred to in these two verses.
Suppose Jesus created all things, which means Satan,
as well. However, Satan was not evil as we know now. Initially, he was a
beautiful, blameless, anointed cherub holding the highest rank among the angels
on the mountain of God. Then why did Satan fall from that lofty position?
Satan fell because of
pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many "I
will..." statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15. He was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to
be God, to essentially "kick God off His throne" and take over the
rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that
desire is what Satan tempted Adam and Eve within the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5).
Because of Satan's sin,
God threw him out of heaven. A third of the angels followed him, and they were
what came to be referred to as demons and evil spirits. Rev 12:4. Jesus
witnessed Satan's fall, and He mentions it in Luke 10:18, "I saw Satan
fall like lightning from heaven." Satan was thrown down from heaven
because of his sin. Heaven has no place for sin and sinners.
One day, Satan will be
thrown entirely from heaven into a firey lake hell. Until such time, Satan
means adversary, the enemy of God, and His people prowl around (restlessly)
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Pet 5:8). We have
this Hollywood version of the Devil in mind: Strangely looking, with horns on the
head, a long tail, and a pitchfork in hand.
Some people keep ghostly decorations
during Halloween, such as skeletons and spooky ghosts. But that's not how he
presents himself in the Bible. He disguises himself as an "angel of light."
II Cor 11:14. The Devil constantly attacks God's people. Here is how he does it.
III. Lying is a powerful weapon in the hands of the Devil
Jesu rebuked the Pharisees, saying, "You
belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's
desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. When he lies, he speaks his
native language, for he is a liar and father of lies." Jn 8:44-45.
Jesus sums up the core nature of Satan
and his demonic forces. Lying is a powerful weapon in the hands of Satan. He effectively
used it against Adam and Eve, deceiving them into sinning against God.
Subsequently, he used it on many people, including Jesus in the wilderness. The
only difference in Jesus' case was He did not fall for Satan's deceptive
schemes. Luke 4:1-13. Jesus counter-attacked every lie of the enemy by saying,
"It is written." When the Devil had finished all this tempting, he
left him until an opportune time.
Similar lying tactics Satan uses
against God's people. Unfortunately, many believe in the lies of the enemy and
sinning against God. How can we repel the lies of the enemy? By using the Truth
of God's word. Whether you know the Bible or not, the Devil knows it well. For
instance, when the Devil whispers in your ears saying you are ugly and not
attractive, you repel that lie by saying, No! "I am fearfully and
wonderfully made. (Ps 139:13-14).
When the enemy lies to you, saying you
are dumb and can't do anything right, you say, No! "The Lord gives me
wisdom (Pro 2:6), and I can do all things through Christ who gives me
strength." ( Phil 4:13). When he tells you no one loves you, and everyone
hates you, You say, God loves me with an everlasting love. (Jer 31:3).
When he frightens you by saying the
world's economy is crumbling, the government will get you. Our country is
becoming a third-world country. You repel that lie by saying, "Even though
when I walk through the valley of shadow death, I will fear no evil, for you
are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." Ps 23:4
In this election season, our political
leaders are telling so many lies. Remember, whenever someone tells a lie,
especially leaders, they are speaking Satan's native tongue, which is lying.
What lies are you listening to these days? Every lie of the enemy can be
successfully repelled by knowing and speaking the Truth, which is found in
God's Word.
