“Crazy demons!” Hitting “send” before proofreading, I quickly realized the text my husband received would leave him confused. I had attempted to type out “crazy carline!” to explain my delay in meeting him, but must have hit a few errant letters. Autocorrect on my cell phone took it from there! I have no idea how the text ended up reading “demons” instead of “carline.”
If we believe in the existence of heaven and hell, then we must also believe Scripture when it speaks of an active spirit world. Just as Jesus acknowledged that Peter did not receive his messianic revelation through “flesh and blood” (God the Father revealed it), Paul reminds us that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
The powers of darkness are real; and in a moment of great regret, Peter (one who understood and believed in Jesus as his Messiah) gave in to his humanity by putting his own desires above the will of the Father. Not all demonic influence manifests in contorted bodies and violent threats (Matthew 17:15-18; Mark 5:6-20). For Peter, it was the seemingly simple observation that surely Christ had not come to die. More than highlighting Peter’s failures, though, this particular interchange with Jesus also reveals the infinite power of Jesus. He’s greater than any spiritual enemy (Psalm 18:39-42).
Spiritual battles aren’t reserved for the super-spiritual. Jesus has already done the work; we simply have to walk in it (Colossians 2:13-15; Revelation 12:11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 7:1-12
More:
Read John 8:36-44 to see what specific spiritual challenges Jesus confronted. How can we apply the weapons Paul lists?
Next:
What spiritual challenges are you facing? How will you tap into God’s power to overcome them?
Gene on July 3, 2013 at 6:58 am
I think of a scene from the novel back in the ‘80s where a young pastor is quietly, fervently, praying in his church while a raging battle was going on around him in the spirit world. Regina, I believe you and Frank Peretti have it right about the powers of darkness. I’m so thankful for the power of Jesus! “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
1 John 4:4.
regina franklin on July 3, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Jesus is indeed greater! What a sense of hope we can hold fast to though everything around us may be shaking and changing. Hebrews 12:27-29
tom felten on July 3, 2013 at 9:02 am
Reginia, thanks for this important reminder to keep in mind the spiritual battles that are raging all around us. So often I focus on the physical world and forget to consider how to pray with those who are acting out of spiritual blindness and bondage.
regina franklin on July 3, 2013 at 1:02 pm
I think we all struggle to push past our natural view to see into the supernatural. How awesome that we can appeal to the Father to take us beyond our finite view as we listen closely to His voice.
winn collier on July 3, 2013 at 11:16 am
I also think we miss how often the principalities and powers of Evil work through unjust systems of power. It is not only individual temptation, but structural evil with which we must contend.
regina franklin on July 3, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Yes–While we are called to action as believers in influencing the atmosphere around us, you also bring to light the importance of entering into the battle through intercession for those who are in places of influence and power.
mike wittmer on July 4, 2013 at 9:28 am
I read 1 Peter 5:8-9 this morning, which says the devil is prowling like a lion but we must resist him. It struck me that with God’s help we are able to fight Satan himself! What power we have in Christ!