“Give. No. Place. To. The. Devil!” (Eph. 4:27)

Could Paul have been any more clear than that!? We could elaborate and add more words and illustrations...’don’t give him any foothold’; or “don’t crack the door or window open, even a little bit”! But he was serious as a heart attack: Don’t Do it!” (Matt. 12:43-45; John 5:14)

Paul would later write of the importance of this ‘spiritual war’ we find ourselves in...having ‘weapons’ ...where we first ‘bring into captivity – every thought to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

And let’s not forget his admonition to ‘awaken from our slumber’ and ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’ as we ‘’cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light...walking properly and making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:11-14)

There was also good reason why Peter wrote just as clear and with the same serious tone: “You better remain vigilant and alert because your enemy, the devil, goes around like a roaring lion seeking to devour’...” (1 Pet. 5:8)

We’ve been studying of late, this idea of a ‘spiritual component’ in this world (1 John 5:19) that is evil and dark, yet oblivious to those who continue to ‘live for the flesh nature’. Jesus referred to him in one place as a ‘thief...who comes to steal, kill, and destroy’ (John 10:10).

And why did God say “His people...are destroyed...?” (Hosea 4:6)

Do you realize who is doing all the ‘destroying’? Now some might ask...”why doesn’t God just get rid of this ‘devil’?...and He could...and at some point in the future, He will, do just that (Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41). But honestly...Satan and his minions are no threat to God’s kingdom. God does not lose any sleep over worrying about some fallen angel.

People talk about how ‘that ole devil sure is messing with God’s people in the church’, but may I remind you that Jesus was rather bold when He declared...”the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church’ (Matt. 16:18).

And in case you missed this, John wrote, explaining how we ‘all know the wicked one has the whole world under his control’ (1 John 5:19)...but we also ‘know that whoever is born of God no longer continues to practice sin...and the wicked one cannot touch them” (1 John 5:18). That...is a pretty amazing assurance, if you ask me!

Some of you may remember a series of books that came out back in the mid-1980’s, by Frank Peretti. The first in a series was titled: “This Present Darkness”. I read them all, several times. Looking back, I will admit they did ‘awaken’ many ‘believers’ in the church world, and perhaps non-believers as well, that there really is a spiritual world of evil and darkness that exists, and that we would do well to sit up and take notice. But I would also say, in hindsight...that it was easy to ‘lose one’s focus’ and become more preoccupied with ‘warring with demons’ than ‘setting our minds on things above and abiding in Jesus’ (Col. 3:2; John 15:4-5; Isa. 26:3).

I don’t want to set myself up here and come across sounding as if I’m some ‘expert in spiritual warfare’, but I do think it is easy for us to get distracted and lose our focus, even as we pursue first...the kingdom of God. I remember there being a bit of an uptick of interest and zeal among many in the body of Christ, with overly zealous believers declaring war on the kingdom of darkness. People were wanting to become ‘demon slayers’ and there were gatherings around the country where people would pray for the ‘pulling down of strongholds’ over various cities and communities. And that is not to say ‘praying always in the spirit’ is not needed, important, nor something we should be doing. But I’m also aware that even in our sincerity, we can ‘drift’ and be ‘sincerely wrong’ and end up in ‘another ditch.

I will share with you here what little I have come to learn and understand, when it comes to dealing with devils; and that is this: We are called to ‘be not ignorant...of Satan’s tactics’ (2 Cor. 2:11; but when it comes to ‘engaging in battle’...all I seem to see what we are instructed to do...is to ‘resist him’. Both Peter and James tell us that- (1 Pet. 5:8-9; James 4:7) James elaborates even more by telling us we do that by ‘drawing near to God and God will draw near to us” (4:8). He also explains how this battle plays out when we are ‘tempted’ (1:12-16).

But as far as taking up arms and chasing after devils as if we are some kind of spiritual super-hero’s...I think that may be a ploy of the enemy, appealing to an element of ‘spiritual pride’ in us. Paul does go into great detail of this ‘spiritual armor’ that God has provided for us in Eph. 6:10-18, but from best I can tell...we are given a ‘sword’ which is the ‘word of God’ and a ‘shield of faith to quench or extinguish those fiery darts and missiles that are launched at us from the devil’. He also speaks of the importance of simply ‘standing’ (14).

Why is it that we are good about quoting that OT passage about how ‘the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s’ (2 Chron. 20:15) but then we run out and try to overcome the enemy in our own strength and power...and fall flat on our face every time?

Peter sure learned some things the hard way...first pulling out his sword to protect Jesus, and cutting off the ear of a soldier; then when foretold by Jesus that he would soon deny Him...Peter was quick to deny any such possibility (Matt. 26:34-35). You can almost hear Jesus sigh...then assure him ‘after you return to me, Peter...strengthen your brethren”. (Luke 31-32)

Friends...doing this walk of faith...is so much easier when we come to a place of total surrender, and do it...His way. (Matt. 11:28-30). More tomorrow...Lord willing.