“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed.” Psalm 2:2
Dear Ones:
From the beginning of time, when the Old Serpent, Satan, deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, a quiet war had begun. It was after Adam’s sin, that God would reveal this “war” by saying to Satan: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heal.” (Genesis 3:15) This antagonism would reveal itself when Cain murdered his righteous brother, Abel. From that day on, there has been open war between those who would know and love the truth, and those who would go about seeking to establish their own. However, it must be seen and grasped, that just as there was a spiritual battle going on in the Garden of Eden between Satan and God, so there is to this very day. Paul would put it like this: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) He goes on to say in his second letter to the Corinthians: “…for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Cor. 10:4) In this warfare, what are these “strong holds?” What is the very essence of the battle? It is the same as in the Garden of Eden, a battle for the truth of God, the knowledge of it, and adherence to it.
The specific strong holds, of which Paul wrote, are: “…imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the KNOWLEDGE of God.” (2 Cor. 10:5) It is here, facing this reality, that we are called upon to “bring every thought captive” to the obedience of Christ. This is the practical application of what is called, seeking “the kingdom of God.” Christ reigns according to the truth. His authority is always according to the truth of God, as revealed in the Word of God. It is at this point that the enemy seeks to deceive and dissuade the believer. He knows that God can never bless the lie, so he seeks to persuade man of the so-called goodness of the lie, in order to negate the blessing of God, and the power of God. So, through every form of godless deception and lying, he is at odds with the God the Father, and His anointed (the Lord Jesus), and all who would follow Christ.
How does this opposition between Satan and God work itself out? It begins in the quiet discourse of the enemy with the believer. This is seen when Satan confronted Eve. Because of the antagonism between God and Satan, there will be the “push back” by the enemy in any and every manner possible. One day, according to the Apostle John, there will be a specific “…war in heaven; Michael and his angels,”…against the “dragon (Satan) …” and his angels.” (Rev. 12:7) Between now and then, there will be a spiritual conflict in the heavenlies, and on this earth. The question is not whether the unbelieving nations will rage against the Lord and His Christ, but how to meet that conflict today, overcoming as the Lord Jesus did overcome?
The first thing to see is that the Lord Jesus IS our Captain. Joshua met Him as, “…the Captain of the host of the Lord.” (Josh. 5:14) He is also declared to be, “…the Captain of their salvation.” (Heb. 2:10) What does this mean? Paul wrote: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (2:15) As Christ is the Captain of the believer, He is the Supreme Conqueror. He calls His disciples to enter into His victory and power, overcoming as He did. The second thing therefore, is to FOLLOW the Captain. We overcome in the measure that we trust and obey Him, according to the truth. It is in that place of fellowship with Him, and under His authority, that Christ’s victorious power is known.
Dear Father, Give us to be more than conquerors through Christ, in this battle for truth and life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad