DRAWING NEAR
September 11
Identifying the Real Enemy
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).
Don't confuse prisoners of war with the enemy.
Sometimes in the heat of battle we might lose perspective on who the
real enemy is. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle isn't
against sinful people, but against the evil system and the
supernatural forces that influence their attitudes and actions.
In his assault on the kingdom of God, Satan has assembled a highly
organized army of fallen angels. Paul categorized them as "rulers . .
.. powers . . . world forces of this darkness . . . spiritual forces
of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).
That isn't a detailed description of Satan's hierarchy but simply a
general indication of its power and sophistication. Apparently
"rulers" and "powers" are high-ranking demons. "World forces of this
darkness" are possibly demons who infiltrate various political
systems of the world, attempting to direct human leaders to oppose
God's plans. An example is a demon called "the prince of the kingdom
of Persia" in Daniel 10:13. He withstood God's angelic messenger to
Daniel until Michael the archangel came to the rescue.
"Spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" perhaps
refers to demons involved in the most vile and perverted kinds of
sins: gross immorality, occultic practices, Satan worship, and the
like.
Those who reject Christ and God are unwitting prisoners of war
--captured and mobilized by the enemy to accomplish his purposes.
Tragically, when he's finished with them he'll abandon them to an
eternal hell.
You probably know unbelievers who enjoy ridiculing your faith and
making life difficult for you. Although that is hard to take, be
patient and don't become embittered toward them. Ask God to make you
an instrument of His love as you reach out to them. Also pray that
God will remove their spiritual blindness so they can see beyond
Satan's lies and recognize their need for a Savior.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Praise God for delivering you from the domain of darkness and
transferring you into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col.
1:13). Ask Him to use you today to break through Satan's
deception in someone's life.
For Further Study:
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-7, noting why people reject the gospel.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Daniel 10:13
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one
days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me,
for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Colossians 1:13
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us
into the kingdom of the Son of His love
2 Corinthians 4:3-7
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,
lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image
of God, should shine on them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and
ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence
of the power may be of God and not of us.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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