What hope do humans have against such a clever enemy? Our fleshly eyes cannot even see these spirits that hate us.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
ERV: Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places.
Satan and his angels are powerful spirits. The truth of the matter is that, even with our power of choice, we would have no hope if God did not help us. In Ephesians 6:10, Paul says that the way to win the fight is to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” In the same passage where the apostle John warned about false prophets, he went on to comfort and assure followers of Jesus:
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Satan cannot beat God. When God uses His great strength in us and for us, then Satan cannot defeat us either! Jesus came for this purpose.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Jesus sent His apostles as special messengers to tell this Good News. As He sent the apostle Paul, Jesus said to Him,
… I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified [made holy] by faith in me (Acts 26:17-18).
ERV for Acts 26:18: They can have a share with those people who have been made holy by believing in Me.
Let’s Sum Up
Our world has become the scene of a great spiritual war between God and Satan. Because man is made in God’s image, he may choose whom he will worship and serve. Satan uses lies, deception, and our own desires. Through these he gets us to choose his own evil way—rebellion against God. However, God’s power is far greater than Satan’s. Through Christ God has made the way for us to join Him in victory over this enemy.
Our worship, and our full obedience, belong only to You, eternal King. Yet often we have failed to honor You. Turn us from Satan’s darkness to Your light. Help us to find forgiveness, and a place among Your own special people, through Jesus Christ…