The Battle in the Spirit World

Since the beginning of time, a battle has been waged in the spirit world between good and evil. The devil, referred to as the serpent of old in Rev. 12:9, has been very active in this battle. It is clear that he is now more active than ever when we see all the evil taking place in the world. The fact that young people choose to become disciples stirs him into action. That is why he stands in fierce opposition to the body of Christ and to what God is working through His servants in His church. Throughout history, the devil has sown doubt about God’s prophets and he works in secret to lead the chosen ones astray with his wiles. His intention is to divide and destroy what God intends to bring to completion in this age of grace. There are also powerful spiritual forces that seek to bind people to the earth and to the things of this world. In the battle against these evil forces, the members of the body of Christ stand united. They are not fighting against people, but against the spiritual forces that seek to lead the chosen ones away from the Father and the Son. This is a battle and a warfare that we must enlist in. We are experiencing an extraordinary battle being waged in our time against the ungodly powers of unfaithfulness. The word of God is being brought into focus to awaken a calling to discipleship among young people, and we are seeing many of them making good choices and being born again. As has been said, children and young people must be drawn into the net and saved from Satan’s cunning ways in our modern age.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13.

In order to defeat the spiritual hosts of wickedness, we must have a living faith in our Almighty God. We must continue to fight alongside Jesus and against the spiritual forces that seek to lead people astray from the way of life. Without seeking our own interests, we as disciples must join in and help each individual toward a life with Jesus—to the One who is mighty to save and, through the cross, transform us into new people. There are also humanistic spirits that want a different Jesus and an easier way. To defeat them, we must have the full armor of God, spiritual weapons, and the power of the Holy Spirit. By living in fellowship with Jesus and having an ear for the voice of the Spirit, we will gradually develop a sensitivity to recognize and discern the ungodly and divisive spiritual forces that seek to exploit people for the devil’s purposes. If we are to expose the serpent’s hidden activities, we must also practice distinguishing between God’s promptings and those that come from our natural self—our flesh.

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:3. Simple and sincere faithfulness leads to a life that is well-pleasing to Jesus. We must learn and practice testing spirits—whether they are from God—and open ourselves more to the help found in the body of Christ. Our fellowship must be with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. If we live a crucified life, sin and Satan will lose their power, and we will triumph in the battle against the ungodly spiritual forces at work in the heavenly places.

Let us be steadfast in prayer and support and fight alongside those God has placed in the church in our time, so that with uplifted hands they may lead the church with a steady hand, despite the “spirits of the Amalekites” that are still very much alive in the spirit world. Ex. 17:10-13.