You are in a spiritual battle and may not be aware of it. Our enemy, satan, uses stealth and deception to blind people from the fact that they are in a battle. I recently listened to a man’s testimony who, through a demonic attack, realized what he had learned in church was real. The enemy was real, but so was Jesus, who died on the cross to save us from our sin.
Satan deceives and blinds people. Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.[1] While satan blinds people, the Holy Spirit is at work removing spiritual blindness so people can come to faith in Jesus and receive salvation.
Satan Attempts to Kill the Jews
Satan corrupts people such as Haman, a key official in the Persian government, to further his agenda. King Xerxes had commanded all his officials to bow down to Haman, but Mordecai, a Jewish believer, refused. This so angered Haman he determined to plot to kill Mordecai and all Jews in the Persian Empire.
Esther 3:8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. 9 If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.” [2] As our story unfolds later in the book of Esther, God intervened through Queen Esther to save the Jews from the treachery of Haman.
God Gives Us Weapons to Fight the Enemy
In Ephesians 6:13-18 the Lord gives us weapons to overcome the enemy in this battle.
- 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
- 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
- 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
- 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
- 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. [3]
To learn how you are in a spiritual battle, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/dastardly-plots
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.