December 30

“You followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” —EPHESIANS 2:2 

In our battle against the devil, most of our equipment is defensive, but Paul names two weapons we are to use; the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and praying in the Spirit.

In the beginning, God gave mankind his job description. “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). ‘Subdue’ is a strong Hebrew word, which basically means to ‘knock it into shape’. The dominion God gave us was intended to be carried out in dependence on Him, but Adam and Eve acted in independence of God. Not only did the human race fall, but the whole of creation. It fell to such an extent that Jesus called Satan ‘the prince of this world’, not because he defeated God, but because he defeated the human race. 1 John 5:19 says, “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.” This is the devil’s playground.

Satan, actively involved in people’s lives, is the natural default position of human beings. We are not neutral, but having been born separated from God, we are already captive to the devil. In Matthew 13, Jesus told a parable of the Sower. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19). Satan is constantly snatching away the truths of Scripture, taking our hearts and minds away from God. But seed that falls on fertile soil germinates, takes root and comes to life. This is the condition our hearts need to be in, and it comes from knowing the Word of God and intimate communion with Him.

Satan is not only opposed to us believing Scripture, but actively opposed to what God has called us to do. In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul writes, “We wanted to come to you - certainly I, Paul did again and again - but Satan stopped us.” This is not a young novice believer who doesn’t know his way around. This is Paul, and he is saying we are involved in dealing with Satan’s obstacles and barriers. But God has equipped us for them. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Along with the Word of God, we have the divine power of God through prayer. Under the devil’s attack, which we all will be, it is prayer that is our access to God, and God who keeps us grounded and on the side of victory.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many temptations around us. I pray for Your deliverance from Satan and for Your strength in the face of temptation.

TO REFLECT UPON: When tempted, do I turn to God in prayer?