Tag: Victory

The Adversary Makes Mistakes

The Adversary Makes Mistakes

The spiritual realm often feels like a battlefield where a cunning, powerful, and relentless adversary lurks, seeking to sow discord, despair, and destruction. We acknowledge the very real presence of spiritual warfare, a struggle against unseen forces that aim to undermine our faith and God’s kingdom. Yet, amidst this daunting reality, there lies a profound and paradoxical truth: despite their formidable power, the adversary makes crucial errors that God, in His infinite sovereignty, masterfully uses for our ultimate good and His unparalleled glory.

There are compelling instances in scripture where the adversary’s actions backfired, serving God’s divine plan. By examining these moments, we will gain strategic insight into spiritual battles, find renewed hope, and witness the undeniable evidence of God’s ultimate and unwavering control.

The adversary, often identified as Satan and his demonic forces, is indeed powerful. They are intelligent, malicious, and actively seek to destroy. As 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” John 8:44 further describes the devil as “a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies.” These scriptures paint a clear picture of a formidable foe.

However, it is crucial to understand that this power is not omnipotent. The adversary is a created being, not the Creator. He is finite, not omniscient, lacking God’s infinite knowledge, power, and omnipresence. This inherent limitation is precisely what makes him capable of error. Our struggle, as Ephesians 6:12 states, is against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” implying they are forces, distinct from the ultimate, all-powerful God. They are not the ultimate Power.

Remember, God’s plan is supreme. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens outside of His permissive or active will. The adversary operates, as it were, on God’s leash. Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Proverbs 19:21 reinforces this: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

This divine sovereignty is the ultimate context for understanding the adversary’s blunders. Even when evil seems to triumph, God is working. Romans 8:28 offers profound comfort: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This truth transforms our perspective on spiritual warfare, shifting it from fear to confidence in God’s ultimate victory.

History, particularly biblical history, is filled with instances where the adversary’s schemes failed and were ingeniously repurposed by God to advance His kingdom. Here are just a few:

Joseph: Evil Intended for Good

The story of Joseph is a testament to God’s ability to turn profound suffering into divine purpose. Joseph’s brothers, driven by jealousy and malice, sold him into slavery. This act was undoubtedly influenced by adversarial forces seeking to destroy God’s promise to Jacob’s lineage and prevent the birth of the nation of Israel. Joseph endured years of hardship, false accusations, and imprisonment.

However, God used every painful step of Joseph’s journey to position him precisely where he needed to be: as a powerful leader in Egypt, capable of saving his family and an entire nation from famine. Joseph’s profound words to his brothers summarize this divine reversal: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

Pharaoh and the Exodus

Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal to release God’s people from slavery was a clear manifestation of his own will and the influence of spiritual darkness. The Bible also reveals that God, in His sovereign purpose, hardened Pharaoh’s heart. This divine act, working alongside Pharaoh’s inherent resistance and the adversary’s influence, led to a series of increasingly severe plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn and, ultimately, his own demise and the destruction of his army. The adversary’s miscalculation here was believing that Pharaoh’s defiance would thwart God’s plan; instead, it became the very instrument through which God’s power was spectacularly displayed and His people delivered.

Each act of defiance by Pharaoh, whether stemming from his own will, the adversary’s orchestration, or God’s sovereign hardening, served only to magnify God’s power and deliver His people in a spectacular, undeniable way. God Himself declared to Pharaoh, “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). The adversary’s attempt to hold God’s people captive resulted in God’s name being glorified throughout the world.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

The Apostle Paul, a giant of faith and ministry, was afflicted with a mysterious “thorn in the flesh,” which he explicitly identifies as “a messenger of Satan, to torment me” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The adversary’s aim was likely to hinder Paul’s incredibly effective ministry, drive him to despair, or cause him to become conceited.

Yet, this torment became a crucible for divine revelation and power. Instead of hindering him, it forced Paul to rely entirely on God’s grace. God’s response to Paul’s pleas for removal was profound: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concludes, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The adversary’s attack inadvertently served to deepen Paul’s dependence on God, making God’s power more evident through Paul’s human frailty.

The Cross, Satan’s Greatest Miscalculation

Perhaps the most monumental blunder of the adversary occurred at the cross. From a human perspective, and surely from Satan’s, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ appeared to be the ultimate defeat for God’s Son and His mission. Satan likely believed he had destroyed God’s plan, eradicating the very source of redemption.

Yet, this apparent defeat was, in reality, the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the adversary himself. Acts 2:23-24 powerfully states, “This Man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” The adversary’s act of malice unwittingly fulfilled God’s eternal redemptive plan. 1 Corinthians 2:8 confirms this: “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Through the cross, God “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).

These biblical accounts offer more than just historical anecdotes; they provide profound insights into our own spiritual journey. We clearly see that the adversary is not omnipotent; he can be outmaneuvered, outwitted, and ultimately defeated by God. This knowledge empowers us to face spiritual opposition without paralyzing fear. Furthermore, God’s wisdom, power, and boundless love are never more evident than when He takes the evil intentions of the adversary and flawlessly turns them into good outcomes, showcasing His supreme authority. When we endure trials orchestrated by the adversary, our faith is tested and refined, and we learn to trust God more deeply through these challenges, developing a spiritual resilience that prepares us for future battles. Paradoxically, persecution and opposition often inadvertently lead to the spread of Christianity, as Paul noted in Philippians 1:12: “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Thus, the adversary’s attempts to suppress the truth often cause it to spread further and faster.

Understanding that the adversary makes mistakes and that God is sovereign should profoundly impact how we live. We are called to be discerning, acknowledging the reality of spiritual warfare without being paralyzed by fear, for our God is greater. It is essential to cultivate trust and patience, trusting God’s overarching plan even when circumstances are dire, knowing He is working behind the scenes to turn obstacles into opportunities. Our primary defense and source of wisdom in these battles comes through engaging in prayer and relying on the Holy Spirit. Finally, we must persevere in good works, continuing to serve God faithfully, confident that He can use even the enemy’s efforts for His purposes and the advancement of His kingdom.

Wrestling the Unseen 

Wrestling the Unseen 

The ancient city of Ephesus, a bustling hub of commerce and diverse spiritual practices, was no stranger to the shadows of the unseen world. As recorded in the Book of Acts, when the Apostle Paul ministered there, he encountered an unusual and striking amount of demonic activity. This historical backdrop, where spiritual forces overtly manifested, serves as a powerful reminder that our world, even today, is a battleground where unseen powers vie for influence and control. Our struggle, as Ephesians 6:12 declares, “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.” This passage compels us to acknowledge spiritual warfare’s reality and equip ourselves for the fight.

The Pervasive Reality of Spiritual Conflict

To effectively stand against the devil’s schemes, we must first come to terms with the undeniable reality of evil spirits, or demons, and their capacity to possess people. This reality isn’t a phenomenon confined to ancient texts or distant lands; it is a spiritual truth that transcends all faith traditions. Temples, synagogues, mosques, and churches—no sacred space is entirely immune to their influence. We shouldn’t find it strange to occupy a pew with a person grappling with an evil spirit.

Consider the stark illustration in Luke 4:33-35, where a man possessed by an impure spirit cried out in a synagogue, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” This biblical account underscores a critical truth: if demon-possessed individuals can be found in the temple, and if God in Jesus Christ is present at church, what makes us think demons can’t find our addresses? Those possessed by evil spirits are everywhere; they are in the White House, the Senate, Congress, police stations, schools, and city hall.Disturbingly, they are even in the church, some in Sunday school, and for some of us, they are in our very homes.

The sole aim of this adversary is to destroy the God-given potential within you. Evil is hellbent on ensuring that you never realize the power you possess as a child of God. The Bible consistently depicts the violent and destructive nature of demons toward those they possess. In Acts 19, an evil spirit jumped on several Jewish exorcists, overpowering them and sending them running, stripped of their clothes and dignity. Another account describes a demon throwing a possessed man down in front of the Lord Himself. These vivid narratives highlight the tangible impact of spiritual oppression.

Three crucial understandings about evil emerge from these encounters, each vital for effective spiritual engagement: 

Evil is Strong and a Bully: This isn’t a passive force we can ignore. Evil is an active, aggressive entity that will relentlessly wrestle to overpower you or your loved ones. It seeks to dominate, control, and ultimately destroy. Recognizing its strength means we approach spiritual warfare with a sober awareness of the formidable opposition, preventing us from underestimating its tactics or becoming complacent. It’s a reminder that we cannot fight this battle with just our own strength. 

The Person Possessed Is a Victim, Not an Enemy: This distinction is profoundly important. When we encounter individuals under demonic influence, our posture should be one of compassion, not condemnation. The evil Spirit is the aggressor; the person is merely its host, a captive suffering under its oppression. Discerning this allows us to direct our spiritual efforts toward the deliverance of the victim, focusing our compassion and prayers on their freedom rather than viewing them as the antagonists. 

Evil Recognizes and Submits to the Authority of Jesus Christ: This is the cornerstone of our hope and the ultimate key to victory. Despite its strength and bullying nature, evil is not sovereign. Every demonic entity, every spiritual force of darkness, is ultimately subordinate to the power and authority of Jesus Christ. This truth empowers believers when we operate in the authority granted to us through Christ. Even the most formidable evil is compelled to submit. It means our victory is assured, not through our might, but through the indisputable power of our Lord.

Failing in the Fight

Despite the clear reality of spiritual warfare and the power available through Christ, many struggle to engage in the fight effectively. One significant reason lies in a misapplication of spiritual authority, as exemplified by the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13. These Jews, who “went around driving out evil spirits, tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed.” They would declare, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

However, their efforts backfired catastrophically. As commentators note, Sceva was likely not a legitimate Jewish high priest but perhaps a self-styled leader of a pagan cult who found it profitable to pose as a Jew. His “sons” attempted to wield the name of Jesus like an unfamiliar weapon, and it exploded in their hands. They were taught a brutal lesson about the danger of using the name of Jesus superficially or opportunistically, dabbling in the supernatural. Their lack of genuine connection and authority rendered their invocation powerless. This ancient account illuminates a contemporary problem. We are failing in the fight because we are faking in the fight. Many have Jesus on their lips, but their hearts are far removed from Him. We may maintain a form of godliness, adhering to outward religious practices, but we deny its inherent power. Such a state leaves us utterly unfit for the spiritual battle. Knowing about Jesus is not enough; we must know Him intimately, have a genuine relationship, and walk in His authority.

Fighting to Win

Now to the foundational call of Ephesians 6:10-17: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 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.“

To effectively stand, Paul instructs us on the specific parts of this divine armor: 

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist: Just as a belt holds a soldier’s tunic and other gear in place, truth provides stability and integrity to our spiritual lives. The unwavering foundation of God’s Word grounds us in reality, protecting against the deception and lies of the enemy. 

With the breastplate of righteousness in place: A breastplate protects the vital organs. Righteousness, imputed (Christ’s righteousness credited to us) and practical (living according to God’s moral standards), guards our hearts and consciences against accusation and guilt, ensuring our spiritual vitality. 

And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: Soldiers needed sturdy footwear for long marches and battle. Our readiness to spread the good news of peace with God and to live in that peace provides us with stability and purpose, enabling us to advance spiritually and withstand the enemy’s assaults. 

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one: A shield protects the entire body from incoming attacks. Faith is our active trust and confidence in God, serving as a protective barrier that deflects and nullifies the fiery temptations, doubts, and accusations that the enemy hurls our way. 

Take the helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vulnerable part of the body—the head. Salvation, our assurance of God’s deliverance and eternal life through Christ, guards our minds from despair, fear, and confusion, keeping our thoughts fixed on God’s victorious plan. 

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: This is the only offensive weapon in the armor. The Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is sharp and powerful. It allows us to actively engage the enemy, counter false doctrines, and dismantle strongholds, not just defending but advancing God’s kingdom.

The solution to our failing in the spiritual fight lies not in rituals or borrowed power but in authentic faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ. We must be intentional and have an empowered readiness for the unseen war. To stand in the strength of God’s power requires more than words; it demands a life fully yielded to Him, clothed in His divine armor, and ready to engage the spiritual forces that seek to overpower us. By consciously putting on and utilizing each piece of this spiritual armor, we are not merely defending ourselves but actively demonstrating the mighty power of the Lord in our lives.