Fight is not against each other
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
On many occasions, the human race gets it all wrong.
The fight is not against each other – as the devil would make it appear.
But the real battle for mankind is with Satan and the unclean spirits that followed his rebellion.
Ephesians 6:12 puts it this way: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
After the fall in the Garden of Eden, man’s relationship with God was severed.
Only God’s love provided restoration through the atoning power of Jesus Christ, who came into the world to offer Himself as a sacrifice and give man an opportunity to be saved.
The holy Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead – giving mankind an opportunity for forgiveness of sin and a relationship with God.
Jesus Christ regained the complete victory for human beings and has given those who serve God power over all power of the enemy (devil).
Christ’s victory is explained in I John 3:8, which states, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Those who don’t know God personally through Jesus are relegated to serving sin and the devil. They have no power over the enemy.
That’s where the devil’s deception comes in. He gets people fighting against each other, rather than against him.
Man versus man violence doesn’t come from God. But it was quickly evident after the fall. Murder entered the equation when Adam and Eve’s son killed his brother.
But to gain power over our real enemy – Satan – requires Jesus’ authority in our lives.
Paul rested in Jesus’ power following his conversion on the Road to Damascus. On many occasions Paul, through Christ, cast out demons from people and did wonderful works that were wrought in God.
One prime example of the effects of Jesus in a person’s life compared to others who don’t know God personally can be found in Acts 19.
But before considering that example, look to when Jesus provided the 70 followers He sent out authority over devils.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
In Acts 19, there were seven sons of Sceva who had witnessed the power of Jesus working through Paul. The brothers are described in the Bible as vagabond Jews and exorcists.
When those seven encountered a man who was demon possessed, they took it upon themselves to try to work the works of God. The problem, however, is that the seven brothers had no relationship with God through Jesus.
They took upon themselves to “call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
The evil spirit residing in the man replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
The result was the man who was possessed leaped on the seven and overcame them, and prevailed against them. The sons of Sceva then fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Had those seven had a true connection with God through Christ, the devils would have been subject unto them, as well. But because they didn’t, they took a beating from the enemy.
That was the only way Paul had victory over the devil – through his relationship with Christ. In essence, the devil knew who Paul was only because Paul was connected to God and received victory power through Jesus.
The only way for man to successfully cast down the devil and unclean spirits is through Jesus.
We can say “Get behind me, Satan” when we know Jesus, and the devil must follow that command. The Bible tells us to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he (the devil) will flee from us.
