By: Dale
Weckbacher
Ephesians
6:12-13
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.
NKJV
I recently heard a
popular conservative commentator on the radio say that World War III had
begun. As we look at the state of our
world today, it is easy to begin believing this to be true.
History may record the month of November 2015 as the
month of terror. First, we had the
downing of a Russian airliner in what we now know to be an act of terror in
retaliation against Russian air strikes in Syria. (1) Then the horrific attacks in Paris against innocent
individuals who only desired to have fun on a Friday night after a week of
work. (2)
These attacks were followed by the
attacks in Mali. (3)
As we look at the nations now involved in the war on
terrorism, they look eerily similar to the players in World War I and II. In addition, just like both world wars, the
United States is hesitant to become involved.
However, unlike both world wars, the current conflict differs and
therefore requires a different type of warfare.
This is not a war between warring nations over
territory as has been the case in past wars.
This war is a war of ideology and not only being fought on the front of
the war on terrorism but is also being fought against people, businesses, and
even government officials in our own country.
However, just like past wars, victory in this war requires proper
identification of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 defines the enemy as principalities,
powers, rulers of darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in
heavenly places. Let us now look at
these enemies,
1) Principalities
– These can refer to governments but can also refer to spiritual principalities
(Ephesians 3:10). The good news however
is that through Christ no principality shall be able to separate us from the
love of God (Romans 8:37-39).
2) Powers
– These principalities can appear to wield great power. We see this evidenced by how many now fear
going out in public places out of fear they may fall victim to some act of
terrorism. However, we who have placed
our trust in Jesus Christ have the promise of 2 Timothy 1:7 reminding us that
the power of fear is not from God and that from God we have power, love, and
soundness of mind.
3) Rulers
of darkness of this age – The darkness and evil present in terrorist
organizations like ISIS is obvious. Only
a heart full of evil could justify heinous acts of terrorism by claiming they
are acting for god. If they are acting
for god, it is definitely not the God of love I as a Christian follow. However, there are also rulers of darkness in
our age that are not committing acts of terrorism but instead are attempting to
change our culture from a culture based on Christian values and the rule of law
into a culture based on the post-modernistic values of acceptance of truth as
being what the individual believes it to be.
(4) This new culture is acceptant of abortion,
homosexuality, and transgenderism and attacks anyone or any organization
supporting Christian values speaking out against these acts.
4) Spiritual
hosts of wickedness in heavenly places – This is the true enemy, Satan and his
host of demons. This is the force behind
the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness. However, the good news once again is that
Satan has already been defeated at the cross (Hebrews 2:14). However, though defeated Satan continues to
oppress and persecute those opposing his power.
This is why Jesus told us to expect tribulation in this world but also
reminds us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
It is therefore foolish to believe we can achieve
victory in this different type of war using the weapons and strategies used in
previous wars. We therefore must embark
on a new strategy using new weapons to achieve victory.
I have previously written about the armor of God or
weapons we must use in this spiritual battle.
Now that we have properly identified the enemy, it is time to begin
looking at strategies we must begin utilizing in order to achieve victory in
our troubling times. Over the next few
Saturdays, we will begin looking at these strategies.
1. Chance, Don Melvin and Matthew. Russia Says
Bomb Brought Down Jet in Sinai, Offers $50 Million Reward. www.cnn.com. [Online]
CNN, November 17, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.]
www.cnn.com/2015/11/17/middleeast/russian-metrojet-crash-bomb/.
2. Moriarty, Erin.
Paris Latest City Where Terrorists Target Crowds. www.cbsnews.com. [Online]
CBS News, November 15, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.]
www.cbsnews.com/news/paris-latest-city-where-terrorists-target-crowds/.
3. goldman, Russell.
What We Know and Don't Know About the Terrorist Attack in Mali. mobile-nytimes.com.
[Online] The New York Times, November 20, 2015. [Cited: November 22, 2015.]
4. Kellner, Douglas.
Postmodernism as Social Theory: Some Challenges and Problems. tcs.sagepub.com.
[Online] Sage Journals, 1988. [Cited: June 13, 2015.]
http://tcs.sagepub.com/content/5/2/239.extract.
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