The Fight (Spiritual Battle) Part 10
In our last discussion on spiritual battle we talked about who the church is and that our mission puts us on the front line of the cosmic battle. I want to dig into that idea a little deeper this week.
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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.
We are in a Cosmic Battle
Jesus tells us that there are two kingdoms.
Matthew 12:22-28 (NIV)
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
The kingdom of God, and the kingdom of the evil one. There is a conflict that is ongoing, a cosmic battle. Remember that kingdom refers to a rule or a reign, not a geographical place. So you have the rule and reign of God battling against the rulers and authorities that we have been talking about for weeks.
1 John 5:19 (NIV)
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Where did the enemy get control? At the Fall in Genesis 3 and at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 when the nations were put under the authority of the elohim. Jesus defeats the enemy at the cross, but the enemy is not going down without a fight. When Jesus returns everything will be set right, but for now the cosmic battle continues.
Our enemy is defeated but not departed. Even though the enemy lost at the crucifixion and resurrection they have not just given up.
How the Battle is Fought
It is as though Jesus parachuted into enemy territory. He gathered followers, trained them, and then set them loose behind enemy lines with the intent of taking more and more of the enemy’s territory. It is done through the freeing of those who are captive.
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus commissions us to go out and do the same things He did.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Because of the victory at the cross, Jesus now has all authority. And He commissions us to go in His authority to set the captives free. We do this by living this life yielding to the Holy Spirit, preaching the Good News and being aware of the battle all around us.
Steve Lawes is a church encourager and the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church.
