2002-01-01
Good Morning Fellow Believers,
As I prepare to eventually discuss Satan's origin in my messages on spiritual warfare, the Lord leads me to continue writing about stories that motivate us to understand why it is so necessary for believers to engage in spiritual warfare. Let me recall a citation that really undergirds this whole construct, EPH 6: 12, "For we are not fighting against human being but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age." I'm have become a believer that there are certain verses we ought to memorize. We can do this by returning to them often. The Lord propels me to say this, because He gives me the understanding that they are fundamental in our being able to see His big picture. Certainly, this verse of one of them.
Although the term "this dark age" is used here, it certainly applies to any dark age, any time in mankind's history that Satan and his followers influence mankind for evil. The story of King Ahab of Israel is another example that is useful for us to examine for how Satan can get a foothold in a person's life, this time a person in leadership who can influence a whole kingdom. We can look at how this happened, so that we can see more of the ways that Satan operates, and we can use this "combat intelligence" to see how it might exist and influence modern day lives. 1 K 16: 29-33, "In the 38th year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he ruled for 22 years. He sinned against the Lord more than any of his predecessors. It was not enough for him to sin like King Jeroboam; he went further and married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon, and worshipped Baal. He built a temple to Baal in Samaria, made an altar for him, and put it in the temple. He also put up an image of the goddess Asherah. He did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel before him." When we look at this passage, there are some real "red flag" words in it. Let's look at them.
The first ones are "married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon." Those who know God well immediately see the problem in Jezebel's father's name and city. Note that the god, Baal's, name is part of this man's. Note also that Sidon was known to be a city of evil even to those unfamiliar with the character, or should I say lack of it, of Jezebel herself. We must remember the comparison of the unbelieving towns given LK 10: 13-14 when Luke was rebuking the towns of Choriazin and Bethsaida for their wickedness. Sidon and Tyre were not being given a glowing comparison there. Instead, Luke was telling the two towns of his time that they would be held more accountable for their evil because they had a greater revelation of God's plan and teaching than the two older towns did. As we move through the 1 Kings passage, we see the sin that God hates the most, idolatry, practiced by King Ahab. Look at the awful insult to God of his building an altar to Baal and hanging an image of Baal's wife, the goddess Ashera, in the temple! When we ask how could this happen, the mechanism is found in RO 1: 18-32, which I hope you will review if it doesn't come right to mind. Satan steals the mind first, and then allows the "infected" individual's actions to become perverted and evil.
Space doesn't permit me to give all the details of King Ahab and Jezebel's story here, but suffice it to say that it has lasting and evil effects on not only Israel of their time. This evil was pervasive enough to be mentioned in John's vision in Revelation. REV 2: 20-21 is part of the message to the church at Thyatira. "But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads My servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols. I have given her time to repent of her sins, but she does not want to turn from her immorality." What follows is God's judgment on her and those who committed adultery with her. REV 2: 23, "...I am the One Who knows everyone's thought's and wishes. I will repay each one of you according to what he has done." Getting back to Jezebel's husband, King Ahab, the manner of his death is proof that God is sovereign, supreme, and never lies. King Ahab died on the battlefield, because he listened to a deceiving spirit speaking through the mouth of a profit [1 K 22: 20-23, 29, 34-35]. The human mind deceived by Satan, made vulnerable by either weak faith or lack of faith, can lead to extraordinary tragedy, pain, suffering, and tragedy. These are pressing reasons why we must: 1) look for points of vulnerability to sin in our own lives, 2) in humility, present ourselves to God, acknowledging the need for the Deity's help, 3) ask for His help in prayer, and 4) ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with His goodness, wisdom, and faithfulness. These are the actions that defeat the enemy.
PRAYER: O Lord, You inspired King David to write these messages for us in his songs, which are prayers to You. PS 31: 3-5, "You are my Refuge an Defense; guide me and lead me as You have promised. Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me; shelter me from danger. I place myself in Your care. You will save me, Lord; You are a faithful God." PS 32: 8, 10, "The Lord says, 'I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you'...The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by His constant love." The message in these words is crucial to us. You have given us the faith and power to be able to examine our lives without guilt, to expose the sin that is in them, and to take steps (albeit not always easy ones) to expunge that sin. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to study Your word, so that we can recognize key words and phrases in them that clarify the message. We must have the self-discipline and honesty to use the power You have given us to work with You in the process of our sanctification. As our always-righteous covenant Partner, You have the right to expect us to do that. It is when we think we are not open to Satan's attack that we are the most vulnerable to it. We recognize that and acknowledge that without Your help in combating it, we will surely fail. Dearest Lord, You are to be praised for Your love and faithfulness to us, thanked for the compassion You show us, and acknowledged for being the force for good that You are in our lives. We come to You in humility to offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, honor, glory, praise, and utmost thanksgiving. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Part of looking at why we must battle Satan is having a better understanding of the things that can be effective weapons. We don't want the enemy to be happy, comfortable, or successful. Tomorrow, we will examine how praising God is a weapon against Satan. It will add further motivation for us of why we should obey God's command to take on spiritual warfare. Our praise must be as genuine as the faithfulness God has shown us. He has been there for us since before the creation and has no plan to abandon us now or in the future. That should give each of us great comfort as we bask in the warm glow of His love for us. Even through we must endure pain and hardship as we battle the devil, God is there to equip us, encourage us, and root for our victory in Christ's name. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn