MEET YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL

Eph.6:l1,12

Amongst the books that I enjoy the best are those that tell of the undercover working of Mossad, the Israeli Secret Service. I used to read everything I could get my hands on for I found their work fascinating and intriguing. One of the most engaging was the story of the Israeli spy in Damascus who was eventually caught and publicly hanged in Damascus.

Although he was a Jew Ari was an Iraqi by birth and spoke fluent Arabic. At the behest of Mossad, he went to live for a while in Argentina where he posed as a business man. He imported large amounts of goods from Syria and as a result was invited to Damascus. Through his contacts he was able to become very friendly with top members of the Syrian government and was even taken on a tour of the military bases of the Golan Heights when they were still in Syrian hands. He indicated to the head of the Syrian army that he would like to donate a gift of eucalyptus trees to be planted at the army bases all over the Golan Heights providing shade for the soldiers in this region that was greatly exposed to the hot sun. The offer was welcomed as a brilliant gesture.

The eucalyptus trees made it easy for the Israeli fighter jets to identify the location of the army bases when war broke out and gave Israel a great advantage during that war. Observation and deftness paid off long before the war ever started.

Before Paul began to write about the Christian armour he defined the enemy we are up against. One of the most effective arms of military strategy is that of intelligence. The study and surveillance of the enemy's strength and strategy. Often times the quality of intelligence will be decisive in the conflict and conquest. Ignorance of the enemy can prove to be perilous and costly. It was exactly this that the Paul had in mind when he wrote "We are not ignorant of his (the Devil's) devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11)

While a study of "our adversary" should dispel ignorance and make us aware of his "wiles," but we must also be careful not to let the enemy become of such importance that we lose sight of the Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Syrian army surrounded the city of Samaria in 2 Kings 6, Elisha's servant saw the vast multitude of soldiers and went to the prophet and despairingly cried, "What shall we do?" Elisha prayed, "LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." Elisha knew that we should keep our focus on who is for us rather than those against us.

Just as it is wrong to underestimate the enemy, it is also equally wrong to overestimate our adversary. If we keep your eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus then the Devil will be put to the margins. Satan is not afraid of the sheep, but he is no match for our great Shepherd. It is for this reason that while we make a study of the Adversary we should keep our eyes on the Saviour.

When we become children of God we not only inherit all God's blessings and Christ's riches, but we also fall heir to God's enemies. Psalm 2 reminds us that this world's system is against God and against His Christ. To some to speak of the Devil sounds mythical. Liberals will try to deny his existence. If you belong to Jesus Christ you don t need to be convinced of the reality of the Devil. He is real.

The world today treats the Devil as though he were a joke or some imaginary character. I remember hearing of two boys discussing if there was a devil or not. One said to the other, "I don't know if I believe there is a devil or not. Look what happened when we believed in Santa Claus. Do you think that Dad could be the devil too?"

The Scriptures do not treat the Devil lightly or as a figment of the imagination. He is a reality and has real personality. Jesus Christ spoke of him as a real personal being. (John 8:44;12:31; 14:30; 16:11) His personality is borne out in the many and varied names given to him in the Bible.

Name Reference

Ababa don (Heb., lit. "destruction") Rev. 9:11

The accuser of our brethren Rev. 12:10

The angel of the bottomless pit Rev. 9:11

The adversary (Gk. antidikos, lit. "opponent") Rev. 9:11

Apollyon (Gk., lit. "destroyer") Rev. 9:11

Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons Matt. 12:24

Belial 2Cor. 6:15

The devil (lit. "one who casts through") John 8:44

The dragon Rev 12:7; 20:2

The enemy Matt. 13:39

The god of this age 2 Cor. 4:4

A Liar John 8:44

Lucifer (Heb., lit. "day star") Is. 14:12-2

Murderer John 8:44

The prince of the power of the air Eph. 2:2

A roaring lion 1 Pet. 5:8

The ruler of the darkness Eph. 6:12

The ruler of this world John 12:31; 14:30

Satan (Heb., lit. "adversary") Mark 1:12, 13

The serpent of old Rev. 20:2

The tempter 1 Thess. 3:5

The wicked one Matt. 13:19

In our text we can see there is also plurality about the Devil's work. This indicates that although there is one devil there are many demons. However, we address the text in this way.

1. The Sphere of the Devil's Domain

"We wrestle..." This is not the wrestling that is largely play acting as we know it today nor was it a game at the Roman Games. In the Roman world this literally meant hand to hand combat unto the death.

The Lord Jesus Christ wrestled against Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness. Paul wrestled against Satan when he was "buffeted" by a messenger of Satan. Famously, Martin Luther threw his ink well at the Devil and splattered the ink all over the wall. The resulting stain was a lasting testimony to the intensity of the struggle that Luther experienced as he wrestled with the Devil.

Our hand to hand wrestling is "not against flesh and blood." It was not against Nero or the Roman soldiers. Our foe is Invisible - The Devil is Intelligent and Influential but thank God he is not invincible.

When I was a young boy there were some tough gangs near where we lived. My cousin was a leader in one of the gangs. One day when I got singled by a group of fellows who were going to have a go at me. I was no match for them but I told them who my cousin was. They let me go immediately. The Devil is greater than me but our Saviour is greater than him.

Paul listed four distinct Satanic ranks against which we wrestle.

(a) Against Principalities - This reminds us of the Devil's domain. Principality presupposes princes and there are definite areas where these demons rule. The Devil is the Prince of demons (Mat.9:34; 12:24) and these control areas of our present world. See Rom.8:38; Eph.1:21;3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16 2:10,15; Titus 3:1;

We read that Satan was called the King of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) In Daniel demonic spirits princes which govern nations. Dan.10:12-13,20; Rev.2:13;

(b) Against Powers. This is delegated authority. These are demons who attack individuals. They probably are more numerous than the prince demons and they exert tremendous demonic power. The Devil is powerful but not all powerful. Jesus Christ declared that all power is given unto Him.

(c) Against the rulers of the darkness of this world." The god of this world blinds the minds of those who believe not. Evil spirits that influence the ages. Remember that with the last days there will be an increase in demon activity. The doctrine of demons will not only be taught but many will believe the lie. This time is upon us. Many false cults propagate their false doctrines and otherwise intelligent people believe the most ridiculous things.

(d) Against the spiritual wickedness in high places. This is the demon activity in the same heavenly places as iii 1:3; The spiritual world. There is much emphasis on the occult and this is that sort of activity. Likewise, when we kneel to pray or work for God these invisible and powerful band of demons oppose us.

2. The Strength of the Devil's Devices 6:11

The wiles of the devil are the methods he uses. Wherever there is mischief in the world the Devil is sure to be at work there.

He is a Destroyer The Devil expresses his opposition to God.

He is a Deceiver (Rev.12:9:) The Devil exhibits his imitation of God

He is a Murderer (John 8:44) The Devil engages in accusations against God.

He is a Liar (John 8:44;)

3. The Strategy of the Devil's Design

Note where he is at work:

(a) Universally Satan is against the Christ less In Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul indicated that the god of this world dominates them those that are lost. He brings darkness upon them. (2 Cor. 4:4-6) He deceives them (Rev.12:9) and destroys them. (John 10:10)

(b) Collectively Satan is against Church. Do not think that the Devil stands outside the church. He is very much on the inside. He seeks to divide the church. (lCor.1:10)

He seeks to divert the church (1 Corinthians 14:1-12) Satan will also seek to deaden the Church Rev.3. Very soon he will try to run the church.

In 2 Corinthians 11:15 Satan is in the pulpit. "Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Satan is behind false brethren in the church. (2 Corinthians 11:26)

Satan promotes false apostles in the church. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:13)

Satan teaches the doctrines of demons. (1Timothy 3:1)

Satan inspired believers to give the wrong offering. (Acts 5)

Satan attended the worship service when Job appeared before God. (Job 1)

(c) Individually Satan is against the Christian. 1 Peter 5:8. Our adversary goes about after every believer. When Pilgrim was on his way to the Celestial City he had to pass through an avenue of lions. They were threatening and intimidating. However, he found that they were chained and therefore limited in what they could do and how far they could go.

When Daniel knelt to pray, confess his sin and humble himself before God it seemed that no answer returned from heaven. He had waited for three weeks for the answer from god and then he indicated what happened, "And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, 'O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.' And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, 'Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.' Demonic princes held up the answer from heaven.

The devil opposes us when we try to pray, when we do pray and when our prayers are answered. He our adversary.

4. The Season of the Devil1s Deception

He knows that his time is short Rev.12:12; with 20:1-8. He is a defeated foe who is making a last ditch effort oppose all that belongs to God. Like a cornered animal he is fighting fiercely.

5. The Secret of the Devil's Defeat

"Stand..., stand and withstand complete in the armour God supplies. When we stand in Christ and are clothed by Christ then resist the Devil, it is the enemy that will flee from us.

While it is true that we are surrounded by millions of demonic beings we should also be aware that God's angels do their work. The Reverend John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, told of the protective care of angels. Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terror filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see the attackers unaccountably leave.

A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ, and Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them.

The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men you had there with you?"

"There were no men there; just my wife and I," Paton answered.

The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard-hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station, so the natives were afraid to attack. Only then did Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect them.