Spiritual Warfare is REAL!

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   In 2014, several surveys suggested that as many as three quarters of Americans believed in some form of the paranormal.  Such an openness to a belief in the seemingly implausible has confounded scientists and psychologists who have vigorously endeavored to rationalize how it can be possible for the human brain to yield reason to “superstition.”  Some of these skeptics believe that humans rely on mysticism to create psychological barriers as an emotional protection against the realities of an unforgiving world, while others simply suggest chemical imbalances of particular hemispheres of the brain.  Still others claim people use supernatural folklore to acquire sentimental comfort for traumatic events in their lives.  Ultimately, there has to be an explanation, right?

   There is. And it is found in the book that TIME magazine claims “has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written.” The Bible.

   We are surrounded by a spiritual realm.  It is a million miles away, yet right in front of our eyes.  It is beyond our comprehension, yet within our ability to experience.  Like most things spiritual, we do not make time in our daily operations to seek the wisdom required to “see” it, but the more we pursue the things of God, and the knowledge therein, the closer we draw to Him. And trust me, this is God’s thing.

   Spiritual warfare was palpable during Jesus’ ministry.  The gospels are lush with narratives of Jesus challenging and casting out unclean spirits while describing that demons knew Jesus identity, that they confronted Him, and He responded with an unquestionable authority against which they had no power.  Demons, mentioned in the book of Matthew, who possessed two men in Gadarenes and exhibited such violence that none could pass by them, were made so powerless that their only defense against the presence of the Son was to plead that He not send them back to the Abyss, but to a nearby herd of pigs, that would ultimately drown in the sea.  Similarly, Mark describes a man at the synagogue in Capernaum possessed by unclean spirits who produced physical convulsions and “shrieks” as they were exorcised by the Son of God.  And though people testified to their witness of Jesus’ actions, they struggled to comprehend the authority by which He was performing these miracles, which led them to such a state of confusion that Jewish officials and citizens accused Him of casting out demons in the name of demons.
 
   In Acts, Paul was confronted by a young girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination, gifting her with the capacity for fortune telling, which men had taken advantage of to become extremely wealthy.  For days, she continuously berated Paul and Silas about their servanthood to the Most High God, using Satan’s perverse way of using God’s truth against human deficiencies. In the name of Jesus, Paul cast the spirit out and was subsequently thrown in jail by the men who could no longer utilize the girl’s abilities.

   Paul’s many spiritual warfare experiences became held in such high esteem that Jewish priests attempted to copy his methods of exorcising demonic spirits by calling out the name of Jesus rather than the Jewish traditions of the past.  Unfortunately, these leaders had no relationship with Jesus, and when they tried to use authority in His name in one instance, the demons mocked them, and physically overpowered them.  Spiritual warfare was and is real and Paul spared no expense in reminding us of the reality that “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.” 

   Whenever the Bible instructs us on how to overcome the trials of this world, it does not tell us to utilize our immeasurable wisdom. It does not suggest that we beckon our iron will or summon positive vibes: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
Word of God.”
 Paul instructs us in his second letter to the Corinthians that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  Isaiah, too, specifically identifies a spirit of heaviness for which the remedy is also spiritual — put on the garment of praise.

   It might be a foreign concept that a “Christian” can be tormented by a demon.  But, for those who have suffered from depression, have you considered it might not simply be a chemical imbalance for which medication is the only cure?  For those who are prone to quick or violent anger or outbursts, have you considered that it might not be a genetic predisposition to a short temper?  For those who have addictions that seem unconquerable, is it the product that keeps you wanting more or is it something you just cannot explain?  

   There are spirits at work and it’s time to take them on.  There is one name from which they run and flee. Maybe you need to get to know that name a little better.

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