On The Brink Of War

On The Brink Of Warby Dr. David C. Cooper Evangelist Billy Sunday was asked why he believed in the devil. He replied, "For two reasons. First, the Bible says so. And second, because I've done business with him for years." It may sound strange to talk about the devil in our high-tech, postmodern world but the fact remains that most Americans believe in the existence of the devil. How else can we explain the pervasive presence of evil in our world?A Newsweek poll showed that 66 percent of adult Americans and 85 percent of evangelical Protestants believe in the devil. For a fourth of them, however, he is merely a symbol of man's inhumanity to man. Sixty percent of evangelicals say they have been tempted by the devil and half as many say they have met someone whom they thought was in Satan's control (Kenneth L. Woodward, "Do We Need Satan?," Newsweek, November 13, 1995).While we are at war in Iraq, another war rages behind the scenes -- a war in the heavenlies. "There was war in heaven," writes John the Revelator (Rev 12:7). A war between good and evil, angels and demons, Christ and antichrist.We battle this spiritual war every day of our lives. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12). That last phrase, "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" sheds light on the spiritual struggles we often face.There are forces of evil that transcend time, space and matter. They are spiritual or demonic forces. The phrase "the heavenly realms," means the spiritual realm.As the army of Christ we can win every spiritual battle we face. We are instructed to arm ourselves with the armor of God (Eph 6:11-17), be aware of his devices (2 Cor 2:11), resist the devil (Jas 4:7), be on our guard (1 Pt 5:8), and pray in the Spirit on all occasions (Eph 6:18).Satan is a defeated foe. Christ conquered him at Calvary and has given us full power and authority over the spiritual forces of evil that come against us. "Greater is he who is in us than he that is in the world!" (1 John 4:4).