The Battle Against Powers of Darkness

WED EP Reflection 010522 (Fighting the Battle Against Powers of Darkness) Our lives are constantly in a state of warfare… we struggle with opposition against the powers of darkness. The powers of darkness are operated by a spirit of rebellion. Rebellion against God’s design and purposes. If we consider the events in Genesis 1 Adam and Eve had boundaries established by God. If they had obeyed, God’s order would have continued to reign. The spirit of rebellion is crafty, he did not let Adam and Eve read the fine print that displays all the consequences related to the newly presented rebellious choice. It’s like being given a medication for which we have not clearly reviewed its side effects. Adam and Eve faced the same. They were promised something by the spirit of rebellion, which had heavier consequences that they didn’t consider. Adam and Eve were convinced that crossing God’s boundaries would not be harmful to them in any way, in fact the spirit of rebellion insisted that things will be better: (The Devil said that their eyes will be open which is true and that they will be like God, knowing good and evil! Somewhere there something is not right) Could it be that the spirit of rebellion wanted Adam and Eve to choose for themselves what is good and evil therefore rejecting God’s idea of what is good and evil? This is at the heart of the battle when it comes to warfare against the spirit of rebellion. We face all kinds of choices in our lives. Many times, our desires determine our choices. We agree that it is important to choose what is good. However, just because we desire something does not mean it becomes good. We may desire it but it may turn out to be evil. The spirit of rebellion says: If it is good in your eyes/heart, then go for it to your heart’s content. Obviously, God’s idea of what is good or evil is disregarded/disobeyed this way. That’s why it is a battle for believers to keep ourselves in the same lane of obedience to God just like Christ Jesus our Lord. “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.” Phil 2:8 You may ask: “How do I obey God?” Meditate on God’s word; be willing to wait or walk away when the way forward is unclear; be willing to endure the situation; leave consequences to God. The real danger for us, is trying to forge our own way forward according to the desires of our hearts. One example is King Herod who resorted to violence thinking his throne was in jeopardy. If we can begin with discerning what are the priorities of our life, then obedience to God would take precedence. A friend of mine recently reminded me of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was his priority. How did he live out the Gospel in the middle of a war? Did he challenge the powers of darkness that rebelled against God’s creation? Yes. Did He seek God’s will instead of forging his own way? I would like to believe that, but God knows. This is the ideal behavior for us. Seek God’s Kingdom and its righteousness and everything will be added unto you. (Matt 6: 33) Paul wrote to Ephesians about these priorities: “Be strong in the Lord and in His power; put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Fasten the belt of truth; put on the breastplate of righteousness; take the shield of faith; pray in the Spirit at all times.” Paul knew the temptation to follow our own way instead of God’s, was fierce. We often fail to recognize God’s truth because we desperately want to present our false truth to match our desires. The spirit of rebellion whispers in our ears: “It’s okay, as long as it is good in your own eyes!” Bishop N.T. Wright warned us that there is a sense of supra human power pushing us beyond unhelpful instincts or wrong actions. This power acts like a tyrannical War-Lord. Paul is encouraging the Ephesians to think and act as people who have come through the river and are on the other side…that is who have died and been raised to new life in Christ. Paul told also the Romans to defeat the spirit of rebellion by not allowing sin to rule in their bodies or to obey its desires. We are to battle against this spirit of rebellion and its powers of darkness that seek to destroy God’s creation which God declared to be good. Lord help us!

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