Satan is behind the spiritual battle and is our enemy. The Scriptures tell us there are two forces in the world: evil and good. God’s word also tells us that these forces are not equal and satan only continues to exist because God is using him to carry out His plan.
Why did God create such an evil enemy of humanity? Satan was not always evil, but he was a good angel at one time. Ezekiel 28:14 I (God) ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire. 15 You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. [1] From the time satan fell into sin, he has been the enemy of God and humanity.
The Spiritual Battle Intensifies
In his ongoing battle with Jesus, satan tempted Judas, one of His disciples, to betray him. As Jesus celebrated the Passover with the disciples the day before the crucifixion, Judas gave into the devil’s temptations. John 13:27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”[2]
Later that evening, Judas betrayed Jesus as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane with the rest of the disciples. Luke 22:47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” [3]
After the kiss of betrayal, Jesus was arrested and taken to the home of the High Priest and questioned. Most of the disciples ran away, but Peter followed them. In the courtyard of the High Priest, Peter warmed himself by the fire. There, Peter fell into the temptation of denying Jesus. Jesus had told Peter earlier to pray to avoid temptation, but he failed in this spiritual battle. Matthew 26:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” [4]
Jesus Won the Victory
When Jesus died on the cross, He defeated sin, death, and the devil. Satan thought he won a great victory at Jesus’ crucifixion, but he suffered total defeat. Three days after the crucifixion, God raised Jesus from the dead. Although satan has been defeated, he still has limited power.
To gain victory in this spiritual battle, we must rely on Jesus, not our abilities to resist. 1 Peter 5:9Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. [5] God did not design us to be passive in our spiritual battle but actively resist the enemy.
To learn how satan is behind the spiritual battle, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-real-battle
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.