To begin to understand that we are truly in a spiritual battle with a powerful enemy, we have to answer the question: Is the devil (Satan, also known as the dragon) real? If you believe the Bible, the answer is yes. If you believe your eyes, the answer is, again, yes. The Bible is pretty specific and open about Satan. God's Word tells us who the enemy is, where he came from, and how we can defeat him.
The devil is the "prince" of demons. He stood against God and led a rebellion (more on that in later posts.) He was cast out, thrown down, along with his angels. Revelation describes this well.
Revelation 12:7-9 LSB
"'And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. " -- Revelation 12:7-9 LSB
The Bible is loaded with references to our enemy. Early on, in Genesis, we are introduced to him as the tempter in the garden.Genesis 3:1 LSB
'Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which Yahweh God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘ You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” ' -- Genesis 3:1 LSB
Later, in Chronicles, we see his attack on David:
1 Chronicles 21:1 LSB
'Then Satan stood up against Israel and incited David to number Israel. ' -- 1 Chronicles 21:1 LSB
Again, from Revelation:
Revelation 12:9 LSB
'And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old
who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown
down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. '
Revelation 12:9 LSB
But Jesus' own story from Matthew 4, the temptation chapter, affirms the truth of the devil (also, the tempter.)
Matthew 4:1-11 LSB'
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command H is angels concerning You ’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up , Lest You strike Y our foot against a stone .’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. ' -- Matthew 4:1-11 LSB
In a nutshell, Satan is real. Satan is powerful. Satan and his demons are seeking to destroy you and me.
I Peter 5:8 NKJV
'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ' -- I Peter 5:8 NKJV
Once we understand that the threat is real, that we are a target of the enemy and his army, then we can begin to build a defense against his schemes and learn not only how to repel the attacks, but to also stand firm and hold onto the ground we already occupy in Christ's Kingdom. Finally, we can take the knowledge and wisdom and leading of God's Word and advance against the evil and wickedness of the world, taking ground and rescuing captives from the grasp of Satan.
Dig in and study.
May God bless you, and may His Holy Spirit lead you.
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