The Full Armor of God
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today we gather to reflect on the power of God's word and the assurance it provides us against the fear of the devil. In times of darkness and uncertainty, let us find solace in the scriptures that remind us of God's unwavering protection.
Explanation: God's presence provides comfort even in the face of the darkest challenges. We need not fear, for He is with us.
Ephesians 6:11 (KJV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Explanation: God equips us with spiritual armor to stand firm against the devil's schemes. With this armor, we can face adversity confidently.
let us not be afraid of the devil, for God has given us the tools and strength to overcome. As we navigate life's challenges, may we hold onto the promises in His word and walk with unwavering faith, knowing that God's love and protection surround us. Fear not, for He is with us always.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV): "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Explanation: The fear of the devil does not come from God. Instead, God empowers us with love and a sound mind to face any challenge.
James 4:7 (KJV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Explanation: By submitting ourselves to God and resisting the devil, we gain victory. The devil cannot stand against the strength that comes from our connection with God.
1 John 4:4 (KJV): "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world."
Explanation: The power of God within us is greater than any force in the world, including the devil. We are overcomers through our faith.
Psalm 23:4 (KJV): "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Are Demons in the World Today?
Why do demons sometimes receive so much attention from the media? Are the reports biblically correct, or are they just the musings of uninformed people who see a demon behind every bush and under every rock? Has demon activity accelerated in the world? How can one know which concepts are biblically accurate and which are not?
This subject deserves a full-length book, but it will only be summarized here. Consider several preliminary, general observations:
We affirm the historical reality of Satan and demons, both in the past and in the present, as verified by the Bible.
We affirm that the Bible admonishes Christians to expect Satan and demons to operate now much as they did in both Old Testament and New Testament times (1 Pet. 5:6–11).
We affirm that the Bible teaches that, in living out the Christian life, one will experience a real spiritual battle with Satan and his army of demons.
We affirm that Scripture alone, independent of personal experience or clinical data, will truthfully determine the reality of demonic experiences and provide an understanding of encounters with Satan and demons.
We affirm that instructions in the New Testament Epistles on how to conduct spiritual warfare were not limited to the first century (Eph. 6:10–20).
In Scripture, Satan and demons prominently involved themselves with spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12), deception (2 Cor. 11:13–15), and death (John 8:44).
They thrive in these kinds of environments. The world has rapidly accelerated toward these conditions over the last decades, as witnessed by increases in false religion and idolatry, sexual immorality and perversions, drug use, occultic activity, interest in Satanism, godlessness, shamelessness over sin, lawlessness, devaluation of human life, and societal attempts to suppress biblical truth.
Demons: Power Demons possess the great power of angels (Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24),
greater than humans but far less than their Creator. They have the power to carry out the following actions:
Indwell humans and animals (Mark 5:1–16)
Physically afflict people (Mark 9:17, 22)
Terrorize humans (1 Sam. 16:14–15; 18:10; 19:9; Acts 19:13–16; 2 Cor. 12:7)
Initiate false worship (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
Promote false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1)
Perform false signs and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 16:13–14)
Deceive prophets (1 Kings 22:19–23)
Encourage idolatry (Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37)
Engineer death (Judges. 9:23, 56–57)
Demons work from a powerful heavenly hierarchy to execute their evil deeds. Words such as “angels,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” “dominions,” “powers,” “rulers,” and “thrones” can be used to describe the hierarchies of either holy or evil angels. In context, Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; and Colossians 2:15 most likely refer to various ranks or levels among the evil angels, that is, the demon hierarchy.
In context, Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16; and 1 Peter 3:22 most likely refer to various ranks or levels in the holy angel hierarchy.
Scripture never elaborates on the specifics of these hierarchies to explain their order or function. Since Satan imitates and falsifies God’s character and kingdom characteristics, it is most likely that there is both an authoritative functional hierarchy for holy angels who worship God and a parallel counterfeit hierarchy for evil angels who give their allegiance to Satan.
The Ultimate Victory of the Lord However strong demons might be, they also have serious weaknesses and vulnerabilities:
They unwittingly serve God’s purposes (Judg. 9:23).
They were terrified of Christ and the gospel (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24; James 2:19).
They obeyed Christ (Matt. 8:32).
They obeyed the Twelve (Matt. 10:1–8) and the Seventy-Two (Luke 10:17–20).
They cannot separate believers in Christ from the love of God (Rom. 8:38).
They can be restrained by the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:6; 1 John 4:4).
They have been judged already by God (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6) and will be again in the future (Rev. 20:10).