When my family was gathered together at Christmas, we spent a lot of time playing video games. I am not at all skilled at this, but I join in to be part of the fun. We laugh a lot and “encourage” each other. Once as we were playing Mario Party, my oldest son and I were put on the same team for a mini game that required us to work in synchronization to succeed. He exclaimed something along the lines of, “Aww no, I got Mom!” knowing what a handicap that gave him. Of course, he immediately felt terrible, as we all burst out laughing. Winning was not that important.
But sometimes we face battles that are important, and we can feel like we just are not good enough to win. The apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians that most of the battles we face are not what they seem. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) In other words, our most significant contests are against Satan and his minions of fallen angels.
It is important to remember a few things about Satan here. He is a created being, just like the rest of the angels. He has no power except what God allows him, but as an angel can manipulate the things of this world. (See Job chapters 1 and 2) Before you were a believer in Christ, you were under Satan’s power. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2) The phrase that is translated “following the course of this world” is really better pictured as being swept along in a flood, where it is difficult to stand firm as the waters push against you. When you were spiritually dead, you had no power to resist.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:4-6) There is that wonderful turn of events marked by “But God”. God has the power to defeat Satan, and He did so at the cross of Christ. And because we are alive in Christ, the same power that raised Christ from the dead and thus crushed Satan’s head, is working in us. Read the verse above again. We are already seated with Christ. Our eternal destiny is sealed. Satan may be able to accuse us or bring things against us in this world, but if we are in Christ, he cannot touch our souls. Our team has already won.
By the way, the Mario game where I was teamed with my son- he diligently called out commands and I listened intently- and we won! God promises to direct his people in the same way. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:20-21) So we, having our spiritual eyes opened, can know God and hear His instruction.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Diane