The Bible has its backstory. Behind the scenes of the Bible, a space battle unfolds between God and Satan, between good and evil, light and darkness, between God's kingdom and the kingdom of this world.
This battle began in the past when an angel-like being called Lucifer rose to his feet in a rebellion against God. Before rebellion and sin occurred to the earth in the garden of Eden, there was rebellion in heaven. Isaiah can get a glimpse of what happened before time, when we know it had begun. Lucifer, a beautiful angel of light, became an angel and a prince of darkness, and was taken away by the host of heaven from a third of his angel-like beings. This was when the war of age began (Isaiah 14:12-14).
And this is how the devil became a demon, a powerful spiritual enemy to God and his kingdom. The devil is often characterized as a cartoon-like character in a horned red suit, living in hell carrying pitchforks. He is seen by many as a misunderstood medieval figure that literally does not exist.
Satan may have been said to be a symbol of evil, but the Bible – the source of our only authoritative subject of truth – is that the devil is the true being, the enemy, and the follower of Christ He tells us that he is the enemy of. The devil “seeks for a man who wanders like a roaring lion and devours” (1 Peter 5:8). He comes to kill, steal and destroy, and his name means defamator or accuser. “You and I are at war, whether you know it or not, or not. We need to start living as if we are in the fight for life,” Stu Weber said.
The New Testament is filled with Scriptures that warn us of this war, not to scare us, but to prepare us to fight spiritual warfare. The best known of these passages is Ephesians 6:10-12. Place the entire armor of God that you may be able to stand up to the devil's plan. Because we are not working on flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of the universe against this present darkness, the spiritual power of heavenly evil. ”
We Christians are commanded to become soldiers of God's army, and are strong, brave and victorious in spiritual battles. The strength of our battles is not our own, but the powerful power of God who works within us.
We are given spiritual weapons for spiritual warfare and equipped to win. We wear all the armor of God and take up the spirit sword, the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). These are the words that Paul uses to describe this sword. Machairahthis is a short dagger-like blade made for hand-to-hand combat. It is sharp and fatal in terms of heart stabbing. Again, I repeat Hebrews 4:12. “The Word of God pierces the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is more lively and sharp and sharp than a two-way sword, so the thoughts and intentions of the mind.”
Satan and his devil's minions are not comparable to the Word of God, but are run through the sword of the spirit.
Jesus proved this in the wilderness when Satan used the word of God to seduce him and drive away his attacks. When trial and seduction come, when Satan attacks you, you are ready to defeat him with the Bible, the sword of the Holy Spirit. Satan is overcome when we use God's word to God, like Jesus. “If you resist the devil, he will run away from you” (James 4:7).
Reading the Bible will reveal that it is a book full of war throughout Israeli history. God's chosen people were commanded to justly belong to them, and even today the Jews continue to fight for their survival.
During these Old Testament battles, God often, according to Paul, nurtured the champions and spiritual heroes that are examples for us. In Hebrews 11, we meet heroes who inspire and motivate us as Bible-believing Christians. As a result, we love God's people in Israel and prayerfully support their right to exist and flourish in the land given by God. Through the Jews, God gave us the Bible and our messiah, the Lord Jesus. This is a thread that runs throughout the Bible.
Satan's Tactics
words Satan It means “enemy” or “oppressor.” Satan hates everything, attacks everything, attacks everyone that God loves. He is deceptive and dangerous, and he means destroying you, your family, your faith, and your friends. He gives pain and suffering, and unleashes hatred and hell in the world. He uses doubt, disappointment, deceit, and “turns himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
As Christians, we must take this ruthless enemy and our spiritual war seriously. Unfortunately, it seems we don't realize that we live in war zones. They risk becoming victims of ignorance.
As we live according to God's Word, we are ready for spiritual warfare, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 6. Remember that the Bible is trustworthy and authoritative. When you exercise the spiritual sword (the Bible) in spiritual battle, you can be sure that “the weapon created against you will not succeed” (Isaiah 54:17). You have the powerful power of God's Word at your freedom. Our weapons of war are not human (2 Corinthians 10:4). God's Word, related to God's Spirit, is your superpower.
When I preach the Word of God, it lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. I engage in spiritual battles and take my soul from the territory of the enemy.
The truth to me is true to you. When you share your faith in Jesus, when you share the gospel of Christ, you are in spiritual battle and you are beating your enemies. Revelation 12:11 says, “They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and the words of their testimony.” Our testimony is God's Word and the power of his blood to save us, and that is the message of the Bible.
I will save the lost, comfort the saved, permeate the darkness of the Devil's realm, destroy the bases of addiction, and free the prisoners. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will free you” (John 8:32). So, wear God's armor, sharpen your sword, take part in battle, knowing that “the one within you is greater than the one in the world” (1 John 4:4).
War battles are prayer, so take “the word of the spirit, the sword of the spirit, praying constantly in the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17-18). There is an inseparable relationship between prayer and God's Word. This can be seen in Acts 6:4, what early church leaders gave to God's Word and prayer. Jesus said, “If you stay in me, and my words remain in you, then if you ask whatever you desire, it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
When we pray according to God's Word, we pray in cooperation with His will. Our prayers are informed and inspired by the Bible. The power of his words, along with its principles and promises, guarantees our spiritual victory.
The victory of Christ
Whatever opposes us from the world, the flesh, and the devil, is no match for God's Word and the testimony of Jesus. When you know the Bible, you will be sure of the outcome of this war that has been raging for so long. God has promised us victory and has already given it to us.
I have a t-shirt that says Jesus won Not “Jesus wins” or “He wins”, but cross that front. Jesus has already won because his enemy Satan was defeated on the cross. In Christ, we triumph over Satan, sin, death, and hell. The victory that Christ won is now ours.
I read an interview in the Wall Street Journal, featuring famous novelist John Grisham. It explained his habits and personal areas of writing. I was interested in discovering that he was writing the final chapter of his story first. Similarly, we have read the final chapter of God's Word and know how this story will end. When Jesus died on the cross, he cried out, “It's over.” Teteresti. But this does not mean he was over – he was far from the end. No, Satan is finished, and the work of salvation was achieved on the cross.
Once you know that your victory is complete, you can start living with a new perspective. Now that the battle is over, you can predict the day you will place your sword, and you will celebrate all eternity. Your victory lies in Jesus.
It was also far superior that he could say that despite the apostle Paul facing execution he had a desire to leave and be with Christ. twenty one).
This essay has been adopted from “Jesus' Book” Jack Graham ©2024. Used by permission of Bethany House Baker Publishing Group.
