Angels and Demons and You

Mike Hosey, An Elder

You may not realize it, but if you call yourself Christian, you are in a very real battle. If you do not yet call yourself Christian, then you are the cannon fodder for dark forces engaged in that same battle.  The apostle tells us that the war we are in is not against people. Battles against people are much easier.  Instead, it is against supernatural forces (Ephesians 6:12). Most of the time, you can’t see them, but just like the invisible radiation that rains down on us from space every moment of every day, those forces are very real, and have a measurable impact on the world around us.

This battle began long ago. In fact, it began even before Adam and Eve first walked in the Garden of Eden. Satan was God’s highest angel. He wanted to make himself like God (Isaiah 14:13-14), and in his pride and arrogance attempted to do that very thing. So God cast him from Heaven.  When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden, Satan wasted no time seducing the first two humans to commit the same sin he did.  “Here, eat this fruit,” he told them, “and you’ll be like God (Genesis 3:4).” This, of course, ruined the human race, but thankfully, God has been redeeming it since then.  This redemption has come at great cost, and in the midst of a great war.

God’s desire is to save every willing human being (2 Peter 3:9). It is Satan’s desire to prevent that willingness (1 Peter 5:8, Luke 22:31).  This war is so real that we are instructed to be like soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3, Philemon 2, Philippians 2:25). We are also taught to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Putting on this armor is vital to your effectiveness as that Christian soldier. Without it, Demonic forces will launch attacks against you in the dark, and in the light.  They will tempt you, they will oppress you, and if you are not saved, they can possess you. The battle is so fierce, and so serious, that Satan shapes and moves the very social structures of the world and the environments around you to conspire against your faith, and to put the full brunt of his powers against any Godly desires you may have.

But take heart. Christ has overcome that world (John 16:33). And he has already won the war (Colossians 2:15). So be wary of the dangers of war, but know that in the end those who belong to Christ have victory!