HIGH PLACES
The Greek word for “high” here is epouranios, elsewhere translated “heavenly,” “celestial,” and “in heaven.” Only here is it translated “high places,” a phrase that is elsewhere always found in the Old Testament, where it was associated with the worship of the false god Baal (Num. 22:41; Jer. 19:5; 32:35) and idolatry (II Chron. 14:3). That’s why it angered God when Israel allowed these high places to exist in their midst (Psa. 78:58), and why He was pleased when they were removed (II Kings 18:1-4) and displeased when they were not (II Kings 12:3;14:4; 15:4,35).
So how do I protect my mind in spiritual warfare?
You can protect your mind from spiritual warfare when you,
- recognize the enemy’s goals.
- understand that the battle will come in personal attacks.
- know that you have protection from God with “spiritual armor.”
- remember you have a weapon, the sword of the spirit, the Word of God.
What are the enemy’s goals?
Satan’s number one goal is to keep non-Christians from accepting the truth of Jesus Christ. He wants to make Christians ineffective; he wants to cause doubt about the love of God, the deity of Christ, and the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. He is relentless and always on the prowl for those he can destroy.
What we do know is his commitment to Christ stood the test of time when he was imprisoned because of sharing the gospel.
Here are 3 ways to overcome the evil one:
By abiding in the Word
Through saying no to the world
By mortifying the deeds of the flesh
1. You can overcome the evil one by abiding in the Word
John 15:7; John 8:31-32; Hebrews 4:12
What does it mean to abide?
Abide means to be, continue, or exist. It also means to rest, dwell, be firm, and immovable. This brings about the idea of staying in one place permanently.
To abide in the word is to spend quality time reading and studying God’s word. The Bible can pierce the darkest heart and bring restoration to the believer.
Are you one that would prefer a lie over truth?
When you abide in the word, the truth will saturate your heart and mind. And it will set you free.
God’s word was written for you, and with you in mind, allow yourself to dive into His word when you are hungry and thirsty.
There you will find bread and manna from the heavens with living water to quench your thirst.
2. Saying no to the world
James 4:4
Romans 12:2
I John 2:15-17
If we are not careful as daughters of God, we can allow the world to dictate how we should live. As Christians, we are called to stand for what we believe in. If you are a friend of the world, then you are the enemy of God. It is quite simple.
The world doesn’t decide for us; God already has.
Dare to take a stand and say no to the world even if it means that you are standing alone. Elijah thought he was the only prophet left.
He sunk deep into depression and self-pity. This powerful man of God reached a point where he wanted to die. But God opened his eyes to see that he was not alone. God was right there with him.
When you say no to the world and yes to God, you are not alone. God is with you, and he always has a remnant that is faithful to him elsewhere.
3. You can overcome the evil one by mortifying the deeds of the flesh.
Colossians 3:2-5
2 Peter 1:4
Romans 8: 5-9
As a child of God, your body is still fleshly. There is a constant battle fiercely raging that you may not even be aware of. Your flesh is at war with your spirit. So, even though you are a new creation with old things being passed away, your body still can control what you do.
It doesn’t have to be this way, but the one that you feed most will be the most dominant and have the capacity to overpower the other.
Are you feeding your spirit or flesh?
You have the divine nature of God at work in you. The Holy Spirit has also taken up residence in your life. Although the flesh is cunning, you can put it to death.
Every day you have to wage the war that is inside of you and feed your spirit, man. Dare to be different in an indifferent world while setting your affections on things above.
The desires of the flesh will always be materials things that you may want here on earth.
You can put your flesh to death every time it rears its ugly head by remembering what Jesus did on the cross for you. His death and resurrection have given you freedom from being enslaved to sin. (Romans 6:6)
THEOLOGY
Seeing the Unseen: The Nature of Spiritual Warfare
AUTHOR
Greg Koukl
PUBLISHED ON
07/01/2017
Sometimes, if you know what to look for, you can “see” something that is invisible; you can see the unseen. It’s not a parlor trick, but a valuable spiritual skill. And it’s not that difficult if you know what clues to look for. I’d like to show you what those clues are.
First, though, a foundational matter. I am convinced that most Christians do not understand spiritual warfare. Either they are unaware of the unseen battle or, if they do recognize its importance, they do not focus on the central issue but instead are distracted by a secondary concern. In military terms, they have been taken in by a feint. Here is the feint.
Some Christians think of spiritual battle in terms of power encounters with the devil (or demons) where prayer of a certain sort is the principal weapon employed to defeat, or at least to neutralize (“bind”), the powers of darkness. Curiously, Jesus never taught this approach. He never told us to pray to devils. Instead, He taught us to ask the Father to “deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13).1
I certainly do not mean to minimize the importance of prayer in any area of our Christian lives, especially this one, but to invite you to see something you might not have noticed. When it comes to spiritual warfare, the New Testament emphasis is not on prayer-infused power encounters, but on something completely different, and if we miss that, then I think we miss the heart of it.
The Invisible Battlefield
We live in a world made by an invisible Being and this world is thick with invisible things. They are all “around us,” in a sense, but not immediately obvious to many since the visible realm is so much more imposing.
In 2 Kings 6:15–17, the prophet Elisha’s attendant saw something in the visible realm that overwhelmed him—the Syrian army encircling their city with horses and chariots. “Alas, my master!” he said. “What shall we do?”
Elisha, though, was not shaken. He saw a deeper reality in the unseen realm.
“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Elisha then prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Elisha saw something his servant did not see: the enemies of God surrounding the city were themselves surrounded by a massive invisible force arrayed behind the scenes for Elisha’s protection. The prophet was able to see the unseen.
Of course, there was no non-miraculous way for Elisha’s servant to see into that realm. He needed help. In our case, though, there are passages in the New Testament that tip us off, giving us clues to help us detect details of a world Elijah had access to. There is an invisible army arrayed against us, too, and sometimes—if we are alert—we can track its maneuvers.
I want you to consider a familiar passage that contains an insight you may not have thought about before. Here is that passage:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:11–13)
In this text, Paul tells us we are at war. He acknowledges the reality of opposition in the visible world (“flesh and blood”), but instructs us that the more fundamental conflict is at a deeper level in the invisible realm (“the heavenly places”). This you already know.
Here is what you may not have seen before. Paul also tips us off that the enemy operates according to specific strategies he calls “schemes”—battle plans, of sorts, that inform the devil’s tactical maneuvers. Being clothed with the proper armor allows us to “stand firm” against his schemes, resisting the devil’s subterfuge.
Can we know anything about those schemes? I think we can.
Weapon One
I want you to consider a quartet of verses that add up to a sobering truth alerting us to the principal way Satan ad
vances his army in the spiritual battle.
Die daily to your flesh and walk in the spirit.
It seems to be inherent in human nature to think of God as dwelling somewhere in the heights.
From earliest times men have chosen high places for worship, both of the true God or false
gods and idols invented by man. In Old Testament times these high places became the scenes of
evil orgies and human sacrifice connected with the worship of false gods.
God told Israel when they entered the Promised Land to drive out all the inhabitants of the land
and destroy their high places:
Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and
destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite
pluck down all their high places. (Numbers 33:52)
In the book of Judges we read of Israel's failure to drive the people out of the land. As a result,
they fell into idolatrous worship in the high places. After the period of the judges, some of the
good kings of Israel destroyed the high places. Others rebuilt them and worshiped false gods.
King Manasseh was one who rebuilt the high places. After he had been punished and repented
for this sin, he was restored to his throne and resumed worship of the true God. The people still
sacrificed in the high places, but "only unto Jehovah their God" (II Chronicles 33).
When Gideon was called of God to be a mighty warrior, the Lord told him to destroy the altar
and cut down the wooden image. Then Gideon was to build an altar to God. A burnt offering
could be made only after the high places were torn down. It was then that deliverance came!
God still calls today for the "spiritual wickedness in high places" to be torn down by the mighty
warriors of God.
STRATEGIES OF SATAN: SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES
When Paul speaks of "spiritual wickedness in high places", he is referring to wicked spirits who
have infiltrated the religious systems of the world. They have even crept into the congregations
of the righteous. Satan has organized his evil forces to imitate the organization of the true church
of God. In some cases he actually has congregations known as "The Church of Satan" or
"Spiritualists." He has set up a form of worship in the spiritual high places.
Satan has also prompted the organization of many cults. The word "occult" means to "hide or
conceal a thing." Cults are those who are part of the occult, those who hide and conceal evil
behind the cloak of religion. But even more dangerous, Satan has set up his system right in the
true church through evil people who have "crept in unawares" (Jude 4).
Through "spiritual wickedness in high places" Satan aims for the total allegiance of man. He
uses false cults, his own church of Satan, and infiltration into the Body of Christ to accomplish
this purpose. This is what the Bible teaches about Satan's religious organization:
SATAN HAS HIS OWN TRINITY:
You previously studied about the Trinity of God, the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Spirit. Satan also has a trinity. It includes Satan himself, the beast and a false prophet. You will
study about the latter two in the final chapter of this course. In the book of Revelation, John
describes the final destiny of this unholy trio:
And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented
day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
SATAN HAS HIS OWN CHURCH:
God established the true church which is known as the "Body of Christ" of which Jesus is the
head:
Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular...
(I Corinthians 12:27)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself
in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Satan has his own church which is called "a synagogue of Satan":
...I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but
are the synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9)
The name "synagogue of Satan" is not always openly used but his synagogue is established
anywhere the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not preached.
SATAN HAS A DOCTRINE:
The Bible is filled with the true doctrines of God revealed by the Holy Spirit:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine...
(II Timothy 3:16)
The doctrine of Satan is called the "doctrine of demons":
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
(I Timothy 4:1)
One category of demons is called "seducing spirits." Their specific job is to seduce men into
doctrinal error. The "doctrine of demons" is any teaching presented as "truth" which does not
agree with the written Word of God.
SATAN HAS A SYSTEM OF SACRIFICE:
In Romans 12:1, we are told to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. This means we are
to surrender in total allegiance to God. Satan demands sacrifices also:
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils,
and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
(I Corinthians 10:20)
Satan demands total allegiance of body, soul, and spirit. There are actually services of sacrifice
carried out where men and women dedicate themselves to the service of Satan. The blood
sacrifice of humans and animals is also practiced.
SATAN HAS HIS OWN COMMUNION SERVICE:
The sharing of the communion bread and wine was started by Jesus as a way of remembering His
sacrifice for the sins of all mankind on the cross (I Corinthians 11:23-34). Satan counterfeits
this by his own communion:
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be
partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:20)
SATAN HAS MINISTERS:
God has called some believers to serve as pastors and minister to His church and proclaim the
Gospel (I Corinthians 12:28). Satan also has ministers:
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
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.
(II Corinthians 11:14-15)
SATAN'S MINISTERS PROCLAIM HIS GOSPEL:
The "gospel" of Satan is contrary to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert
the Gospel of Christ.
But though we or an angel from Heaven preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians
1:7-8)
SATAN HAS HIS THRONE:
God has a throne in Heaven. Satan also has a throne, although we are not told its exact location:
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the
feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon (Satan)
gave him his power, and HIS SEAT, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)
SATAN HAS WORSHIPERS:
There are many who worship the true God. Satan also has worshipers:
...and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?...
(Revelation 13:4)
Some worshipers of Satan pretend to be followers of Jesus:
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the
tares are the children of the wicked one;
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest the end of the world;
and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 13:38-39)
Satan mixes the bad "seed" in with the good "seed" (believers).
SATAN HAS PROPHETS:
God has set in the Church prophets, men who are especially anointed to bring a direct message
from Him to the Church (I Corinthians 12:28). Satan has false prophets who deliver false
messages:
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)
SATAN HAS TEACHERS:
God has anointed some people as teachers to share and explain His Word to others (I Corinthians
12:28). But all teachers are not from God. Satan has false teachers to spread his evil doctrine:
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you... (II Peter 2:1-3)
Satan's teachers bring in "damnable heresies," teachings which are false and cause division.
They speak lies and are experts at mixing truth and error in a way that makes error acceptable.
Many such false teachings have resulted in the growth of cults. A cult is any system of religion
or worship that is not in complete harmony with the written Word of God. It is a "damnable
heresy."
The names, doctrines, and organization of cults vary from nation to nation. There are so many
cults that it is not possible to mention them all. But remember, any religious system not in
harmony with God's Word is a cult. (The "Tactical Maneuvers" section of this lesson provides
additional guidelines for recognizing cults.)
SATAN HAS APOSTLES:
An apostle is a person who spreads the Gospel and establishes churches (I Corinthians 12:28).
Satan also has apostles doing his work throughout the world. They deceive people by imitating
the true apostles:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ. (II Corinthians 11:13)
Satan's apostles become leaders of false cults and infiltrate churches in leadership capacities.
SATAN IMITATES JESUS BY FALSE CHRISTS:
Satan has even imitated the Lord Jesus Christ by raising up false Christs. Jesus warned:
...Take heed, that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)
SATAN HAS A SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION:
The Bible is a record of how God spoke to man. God continues to speak to men today. (An
entire Harvestime International Institute course is devoted to "Knowing God's Voice"). Satan
also speaks to man. His first words to humans resulted in their fall into sin in the Garden of Eden
(Genesis chapter 3).
Believers pray to God regarding their needs and God responds to the prayer of the righteous
(James 5:16). Satan's followers pray to him and communicate with evil spirits. Sometimes Satan
responds with supernatural events such as voices, the moving of objects, noises, etc.
God has communicated to man through His written Word, the Bible. Satan's message is also
being communicated through the written word by evil magazines, books, motion pictures, and
music. God's communication through His written and spoken Word provides guidance for man
in the affairs of life. Satan has a system of false guidance accomplished through methods such
as the following:
Astrology and horoscope: Which use stars to predict events and give guidance.
Reading of tea leaves, cards, pictures, bumps on the head, palms of the hand and crystal balls:
The formation of the tea leaves, cards, lines in the human hand, crystal balls, and pictures are
claimed to give guidance.
Witchcraft: Using spells, potions, charms, magic, rituals, seances, divinations, methods of
chance, divining rods, visions, drawings, and similar unscriptural methods to receive guidance.
SATAN HAS SUPERNATURAL POWER:
Jesus promised supernatural power to His followers after they received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit (Acts 1:8). Satan also gives supernatural power and authority (Revelation 13:2). His
demons can provide supernatural strength and energy. Satan can perform many supernatural
signs and miracles:
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles... (Revelation 16:14)
Jesus said:
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)
SPIRITUAL COUNTER STRATEGIES:
TO WAR AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES
Here are specific counter strategies for overcoming spiritual wickedness in high places.
RECOGNIZE SATAN IS AN IMITATOR:
From your study of this lesson to this point it should be clear that Satan is an imitator.
"Imitation" means to copy or counterfeit something. The first step in overcoming wickedness in
high places is to recognize that Satan imitates every part of God's religious structure. Be on the
look out for imitations!
USE DISCERNMENT:
There is a special gift of the Holy Spirit called "discerning of spirits." It is an unusual ability
given by God to immediately discern another person's spirit and know if they are good or evil. If
you have this spiritual gift, use it in dealing with spiritual wickedness in high places.
If you do not have this gift, God has provided other methods of detection. In II Peter 2 and the
book of Jude He has listed the characteristics of these men with seducing spirits. (Use the
"Tactical Maneuvers" section of this lesson for additional study of this subject.) All believers are
encouraged to "try the spirits" (I John 4:1) To "try" means to "test" the spirits. If you test the
spirits it does not mean you are operating in unbelief. If the spirits are of God, they will pass the
test!
STUDY THE WORD OF GOD:
In order to recognize the false doctrines of Satan's teachers, apostles, prophets, and ministers, you
must know what is taught in the Word of God. Paul told Timothy:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
Even though Paul was a great spiritual leader in the early Church, the believers at the city of
Berea checked everything he said by God's written Word:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether
those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
To avoid being deceived by spiritual wickedness in high places, examine everything that is taught
in light of God's Word.
REJECT ANYTHING NOT IN THE WORD:
Satan establishes much spiritual wickedness in high places through so-called "special revelation
of new truth." People will claim special dreams, appearances by angels, visions, voices, or other
supernatural events. But Paul warned:
...but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.
But though we or an angel from Heaven preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians
1:7-8)
Reject any teaching, doctrine, manifestation, or revelation that is not in harmony with God's
Word. Do not accept any so-called prophecy that is not in right relation to the faith (Romans
12:6) and which does not come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22). Do not accept any revelation that
leads you away from God and the truth of His Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-5):
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead. (Proverbs 21:16)
EVALUATE BY SPIRITUAL FRUIT:
Because Satan imitates the power of God through supernatural manifestations of miracles, signs,
and wonders, God has provided a special method of evaluating ministries. You are to evaluate
the supernatural on the basis of spiritual fruit.
Jesus compared men to fruit trees. He said you would know both the real and the imitators by
their spiritual fruit:
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring
forth good fruit.
Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. (Matthew 7:18, 20)
Satan can imitate spiritual gifts and God's power, but he has no imitation for a holy life
exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit which includes true...
...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness,
temperance; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Evaluate ministries by spiritual fruit, not by supernatural manifestations of power.
AVOID EVERY SATANIC INFLUENCE:
God warned Israel to avoid every type of Satanic influence:
...destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite
pluck down all their high places. (Numbers 33:52)
Read the additional instructions God gave in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Israel was to have no
contact with the work of Satan in any form. You should destroy anything you own that has to do
with witchcraft or the work of the devil. This would include idols, "lucky charms", potions,
amulets, crystal balls, games, divining devices, and other similar items. This is what people did
in the New Testament when they became believers:
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and
burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found
it fifty thousand pieces of silver (about $9,300). (Acts 19:19)
Destroy any evil literature and music that does not glorify God. Do not spend time in places
where there is evil influence. The Bible records that God manifested Himself in special places
such as the Old Testament temple and the upper room of a house on the Day of Pentecost.
It is equally true that Satanic power can be manifested in special places dedicated to evil. This
would include places where evil pictures are shown, drinking and riotous behavior is occurring,
seances are being held, worship of Satan is occurring.... anywhere sinful practices are going on.
Avoid such environments, because Satan's power is especially strong there. You cannot pray the
Lord's prayer, "Lead us not into temptation" and then put yourself in such a place:
...and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
(I Corinthians 10:20)
Do not associate with false leaders, teachers, prophets, ministers or apostles:
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (I Thessalonians 5:22)
EXPOSE THE WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES:
Believers must not ignore this spiritual wickedness in high places. Pastors must preach the
whole counsel of God in face of deception (II Timothy 4:1-4). False teachings of the occult and
doctrines of demons must be identified. Believers are not to participate in the "unfruitful works
of darkness" but rather should expose them (Ephesians 5:11).
EXERCISE THE MINISTRY OF DELIVERANCE:
God's organization, the true Church, is more powerful than that of Satan. You learned that Jesus
is the head of the church, and that believers are the body. With that in mind, read the following
verses:
(God) hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all
things to the church. Which is His body... (Ephesians 1:22-23)
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. (Ephesians
3:10)
Jesus is the head of the Church. Believers are the body. If all things (including Satan and his
religious structure) are under the feet of Jesus, then they are also under our feet because we are
the body. "Under the feet" means they are under the power and authority which God has
delegated to us. Jesus said He has given us power over "all the power of the enemy" (Luke
10:19). This includes spiritual wickedness in high places.
The church is actually to demonstrate His power to these principalities and powers! We must
exercise this ministry to bring deliverance from those in bondage to "spiritual wickedness in high
places." We must turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the Kingdom
of God (Acts 26:18).
This is simply the scene of Christ’s present enthronement next to God the Father.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6
This is the scene of our present assembly with Christ. For those who argue that there is no singular assembly but only local assemblies, apparently in God’s view we are already all assembled together with Him in one. Just because we can’t see it as God sees it, that does not change the present reality of it. That’s our present position in Christ, but I digress.
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10
This is the referring to the locale of angelic beings (principalities and powers).
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. Ephesians 6:12
Did you spot it?
This is referring to the present day in which there is conflict with evil spirits seeking to harm us as Satan did with Job, or sift us like he wanted to do with Peter.
I have often heard this passage interpreted to mean powerful people in high positions, seats of government, or earthly kingdoms. However, it is the same Greek phrase as the other which refer to heavenly places. Yet, the translators did not use that phrase in this instance. I cannot discern any reason from the text why they would have changed it here other than that it might confuse a reader into wondering why Paul is saying that real enemies of concern for the Christian are in Heaven of all places! Rather than let us get confused by that notion and try to figure it out, they seemed to change the word in translation.
However, is there ever spiritual wickedness in Heaven where God is? Well, actually yes! And do those forces pose a threat to believers that should alert us more than human threats? Yes, of course!
And example of this would be when Satan was in Heaven before God in order to get permission to attack Job. Satan is the epitome of spiritual wickedness. And in Job, we see him getting the go ahead… in heavenly places! How about another example?
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
1 Kings 22:19-23
This may be uncomfortable to hear, but God agreed to use a lying spirit because Ahab rejected God’s rebukes and warnings all through his reign and the cup of God’s wrath was full. Ahab had angered God in unique ways. He was the worst King of Israel up to that time and God was about to have him killed in battle. Ahab just needed to be convinced he would win so that he would go to battle. And the lying spirit duped all of Ahab’s false prophets into telling Ahab he would win, so he might as well go.
But the point is, that spiritual wickedness (i.e. - fallen angels) can and do appear before the throne of God in heavenly places. They can enter Heaven where the throne of God is and speak with Him. In this instance, it even appears that God appeals to the host of heaven for volunteers. He then listens to their methods, denies some and accepts others. God is not the One lying. He’s not even the One suggesting it. However, He permits this evil spirit to do so. In other words, God sinlessly used sin to accomplish a thing. Ultimately, this lying spirit is the one responsible for this sin. After all James 1:13 is as true as it’s always been:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
And just like Satan did with Job, and in this instance with Ahab, these wicked beings come up with ideas of their own about us and present them to God. And God either gives them permission or does not.
Paul’s point in Ephesians 6:12 is that human threats pale in comparison to the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11) and that is why we need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Paul then tells us to put on the whole armor of God, a spiritual armor, because we often deal with spiritual attackers who, believe it or not, get permission to do what they do to you… from God Himself in Heaven.
Some of these truths may make you uncomfortable. However, if we really mean it when we say we trust the Lord, then it is not hard to believe that He can permit these things and still be right and good. As a Sovereign, He can allow these attacks to happen for our good and for His perfect plan to be worked out in time. His ways may be higher than ours, but His ways are also perfect. I choose to believe that.
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.
— Ephesians 6:12
I realize that many people tend to think that screaming, yelling, screeching, stomping, and shouting are required to defeat the devil. However, these actions will accomplish nothing if those same people are not living a consecrated and holy life.
It is simply a fact that if we have deliberately or by negligence allowed sinful strongholds to secretly remain in our lives, then we have left gaping holes through which Satan may continue to insert his schemes into our lives. Negligence in dealing with these secret places may give Satan the very loopholes he needs to orchestrate our defeat!
This business of spiritual warfare is serious! We must do all we can to shut every door to our souls through which the devil might attempt to access our lives. Because this issue is so serious, we would do well to pay attention when the Bible offers us information about the enemy of our souls. The devil has destroyed too many Christians who were ignorant of his devices!
*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]
In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul presents a divine revelation he received that describes how Satan’s kingdom has been militarily aligned. He writes, “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.”
Notice that at the top of this list, Paul mentions a group of evil spirits he calls “principalities.” This word is taken from the Greek word archai, an old word that is used symbolically to denote ancient times. It is also used to depict individuals who hold the highest and loftiest position of rank and authority. By using the word archai, Paul emphatically tells us that at the very top of Satan’s kingdom are powerful evil beings that have held their lofty positions of power and authority since ancient times — probably ever since the fall of Lucifer.
Paul goes on to tell us that below principalities is a second group of evil beings he refers to as “powers.” This word “powers” is taken from the Greek word exousia, and it denotes delegated authority. This describes a lower, second-level group of evil beings — demon spirits — who have received delegated authority from Satan to carry out all manner of evil in whatever way they desire to do it. These evil forces are second in command in Satan’s dark kingdom.
Continuing in his description of Satan’s rank and file in descending order, Paul mentions “the rulers of the darkness of this world.” This amazing phrase is taken from the word kosmokrateros and is a compound of the words kosmos and kratos. The word kosmos denotes order or arrangement, whereas the word kratos has to do with raw power. Thus, the compounded word kosmokrateros depicts raw power that has been harnessed and put into some kind of order.
This word kosmokrateros was at times used to picture military training camps where young men were assembled, trained, and turned into a mighty army. These young men were like raw power when they first arrived in the training camp. However, as the military training progressed and the new recruits were taught discipline and order, all that raw manpower was converted into an organized, disciplined army. This is the word Paul now uses in his description of Satan’s kingdom. What does it mean?
It tells you and me that Satan is so serious about doing damage to the human race that he deals with demon spirits as though they are troops! He puts them in rank and file, gives them orders and assignments, and then sends them out like military soldiers who are committed to kill. Just as men in a human army are equipped and trained in their methods of destruction, so, too, are these demon spirits. And once these demons are trained and ready to start their assault, Satan sends them forth to do their devious work against human beings.
Paul makes reference to this dispatch of evil spirits when he writes next about “spiritual wickedness in high places.” The word “wickedness” is taken from the word poneros, and it is used to depict something that is bad, vile, malevolent, vicious, impious, and malignant. This tells us the ultimate aim of Satan’s dark domain: These evil spirits are sent forth to afflict humanity in bad, vile, malevolent, and vicious ways!
Satan uses all these evil forces in his attacks against mankind. Nevertheless, we believers have far more authority and power than the devil and his forces. You and I have the Greater One living within us! As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we are loaded with heaps and heaps of raw power, for the Church has no shortage of power, nor is it deficient in God-given authority. We have more power and more authority than all these evil forces combined!
What we lack is order and discipline. We must learn to see ourselves as the army of God and to view the local church as the training center where we are taught to do God’s business. Then we must heed the call of Jesus and be dispatched into the dark world to preach the Gospel and to drive these evil forces from people’s lives. We must buckle down and begin to view ourselves as the troops of Jesus Christ!
Being organized and disciplined includes living a holy and consecrated life. There is no room for slackness in the life of a real Christian soldier. To deal with these forces that are being dispatched to destroy us and the world around us, it is required that we walk with God and listen to the voice of His Spirit. We must gird up the loins of our minds and fill our thoughts with the Word of God. Satan’s troops are serious — and if we’re not serious about our contest with them, it will only be a matter of time until they discover our weakness and strike with all their force to bring us down.
Determine to see yourself as a soldier in the army of God. Don’t allow anything to remain in your life that would hinder your fight of faith. Be disciplined, committed, and organized. Take advantage of all the weapons described in Ephesians 6:13-18. Then get ready to witness the awesome demonstration of God’s power in your life as you prevail against Satan’s rank and file!
My Prayer for Today
Lord, help me start seeing myself as a mighty soldier in the army of God. You have provided every weapon I need to prevail against the enemies that come against my life, my family, my business, my friends, and my church. I want to stand tall and firm against the wicked plots the devil tries to exert against people’s lives whom I love and need. Holy Spirit, give me the power and strength I need to successfully resist every attack and to drive all dark forces from my life and from the lives of those close to me!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
My Confession for Today
I confess that I live a holy and consecrated life! There is no room for slackness in my life. I am serious about serving God as a real Christian soldier. I do everything that is required for me to walk with God and to hear the voice of His Spirit when He speaks to me. I am very serious about winning every conflict with evil forces. Because of my strong commitment to this fight of faith, I am more than a match for anything the devil tries to throw at me!
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