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Why I Write About Angels and Demons

Angels and Demons

Why I Write about Them

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Somewhere along the way, angels started popping up in my stories. I’m not sure where, and I’m not sure why, but a demon showed up one time, too. Maybe it was a subconscious thing, which is probably true, or maybe it’s because I’m very intrigued by the idea. But then I thought, why not have them show up on purpose? Make them a central part of the story? And now that’s what I do. But why include them in my stories, and why blog about them?

They Show up in the Bible a Lot

If you read the Bible from cover to cover, you won’t be able to go very far without bumping into angels. You have to be on the lookout, though, because they’re not always labeled as angels. There are also many forms and a hierarchy. There are cherubim and seraphim, for example. There are princes and archangels. They don’t all have wings, or at least they don’t have them when they appear in some situations. They are not hiding, though. They’re in plain sight, and then you read verses like this:

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

Did you catch that? Some have entertained angels without knowing it? Maybe you. Maybe me. I have to wonder how often I’ve come in contact with an angel, or if I ever have. Call me an angel geek if you want to, but I find that fascinating. I make it a point to pay attention to the appearances and mentions of angels when I’m reading my Bible. There are so many examples, but to name an obvious few:

Cherubims blocked man from entering the garden in Eden

The angel of the LORD appeared to Hagar when she fled from Sarai (Sarah)

Two angels were tasked with destroying Sodom and Gomorrah

An angel wrestled with Jacob

An angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flaming bush and then led the children of Israel in a pillar of fire

An angel blocked Balaam’s path and scared his donkey

An angel was sent to destroy Jerusalem after David numbered the people (but was held back)

An angel fed Elijah when he ran from Jezebel into the wilderness

And there are many, many more appearances, and there will be future appearances. You would almost lose the book of Revelation entirely if you took out references to angels.

I’m Really Curious about Where Demons Come From

If speculation has a better illustration than people debating about the origins of demons, I don’t know of one. This one causes so much debate, and yet we still don’t have definitive answers. Or do we?

One, the Bible doesn’t use the term demons; it calls them devils. Now, depending on the translation you’re reading, you might disagree with that. I have zero desire to debate or argue over this one, but my research has led me to trust only one version, which is the Authorized King James Version of the Bible. Maybe I’ll blog about that some time, but I can’t say for sure that I will. Too many people fight about this stuff, and there’s just no need. Back to the main point.

Devils/demons are generally thought to come from fallen angels. This breaks into two schools of thought:

There was a rebellion led by Satan, and the angels that were cast out of heaven with him became devils, or demons if you prefer.

There was a group of angels that rebelled by mingling with the seed of men. Their offspring were the giants mentioned in Genesis six, and the spirits of those giants are actually the demons you read about.

Mystery Of The Watchers And Book Of Enoch

The Fallen Angels

If you choose not to believe that angels rebelled against God, you’re choosing not to believe the Bible. It’s plainly written, although some people might say differently. They’ll even claim to be Bible scholars, and they’ll use anything but the Bible to explain their position. Let’s just let the Bible speak for itself. Here are the words of Jesus on the matter:

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

If we just leave that verse alone, it clearly states that the devil has angels. Revelation twelve talks about the dragon (Satan) dragging a third of the stars of heaven down with him. I wrote an entire blog about that, which you can read here: A Third of the Stars of Heaven

Maybe that’s a future event, which some people believe. I think it was a past event but could possibly be referring to past and future. Either way, we do know that Satan was cast out of heaven in the past, and Jesus said he witnessed this according to Luke 10:18. Jude and Peter make it clear that there were some angels who left their first estate and are reserved in chains of darkness.

So angels fell from heaven. At some point, they mingled with the seed of men and created a race of giants. Genesis six is plain on this one. There’s no need to do a bunch of Bible gymnastics to try and make it say something it doesn’t. The “giants in the earth in those days” is not referring to the “ungodly line of Cain.” That’s weird to me. It’s strange that someone would go that far to run from the plain truth of the word of God. What, they were ungodly so their kids became a different race? How do you say that with a straight face?

This leaves us with questions, though? If the angels that fell are reserved in chains of darkness, why are there still devils loose in the time of Christ possessing people?

My Working Theory

Notice that subtitle: “working” theory. I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I continue to study to show myself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). In any case, here goes:

One:

There are books, not included in the Bible, that are referenced by the writers of the Bible. For instance, the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch. I know, I know. Chad, you’re going into heresy. No, no I’m not. One, this is a theory. Two, I’m not telling you to trust something other than the Bible. I am, however, asking you to think beyond the mental prison imposed by preachers and so-called Bible scholars for far too long.

* Note: I do not advise anyone not fully grounded in scripture to read non-biblical texts. Also, I am not an occultist. Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, through faith in his death, burial, and resurrection. The information included here is not intended to be taken as scriptural truth, nor do I believe it to be an inspired book of the Bible. It may very well be a total fraud. As the Bible says, let every man be fully convinced in his own mind. I am not the final authority; the Bible is.

The book of Enoch was never included in the canon by the Jewish nation, yet they knew it well. And, again, Jude quoted it. There are some questions as to its writer and authenticity, so take this for what it is. However, it is still an ancient manuscript that I believe supports what I have found in the scriptures. It states that the angels who rebelled are chained in darkness, in an abyss with rivers of fire. So does the book of Jude, just not that specific. So does Peter, just not that specific. It says the giants were the offspring of an angelic group called Watchers. There were two hundred of them.

*Note: Angels serving as watchers over the earth is supported in scripture in the book of Zechariah, chapter one.

The giants consumed everything and became bloodthirsty, devouring humans. The Book of Enoch also says that sin was so rampant at that time that the earth and the people were crying out because of it. God destroyed the world with a flood because of this. The giants killed each other, but their spirits were trapped on earth. They are immortal because of their fathers, but they originated on earth, so they’re in this sort of limbo.

So there you go. Some of those demons MAY be the spirits of those giants.

Two:

Have you noticed that giants keep showing up throughout the Bible? Well, it can’t be because they survived the flood. Nothing survived except Noah, his family, and the animals they took with them on the ark. So where do the other giants come from? Again, this is just my theory, but I think angels are still rebelling. Hey, if you’re with me this far, why not hear me out?

Do I have a verse for this? No. Does that mean it can’t possibly be true? No. If you read my blog on Satan’s Mighty Men, you’ll see where I take you through the scriptures and show you that these giants show up at very specific times, and they will make one last attempt to overthrow God’s people before Christ’s return and earthly reign. Read the book of Daniel sometime, and look at the description in Chapter two of the toes of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. It says they will mingle with the seed of men. Um, guys, he’s not talking about humans, or he wouldn’t have said mingled with the seed of men.

I think there has been more than one rebellion, and there are more to come. Have you ever read the book of Job and noticed how many times Satan appears before God? He shows up one time, with the sons of God, and has a conversation with God. They go back and forth about Job, and then Satan goes and kills Job’s children and takes away his livelihood. Then there’s another day, and in strolls Satan with the other sons of God (notice there’s no possible way this is referring to the line of Seth or Cain. Just saying). So Satan went before God more than once.

But will it happen in the future? Remember when I said I didn’t have a verse? I didn’t mean I didn’t have one, period. I meant I didn’t have one that has my theory written out word-for-word. I do have a verse for this theory, though.

Context?

In the book of Job, Satan has access to go before God, apparently more than once. That place in Revelation I mentioned earlier? The whole, Satan’s tail drawing a third of the stars of heaven? I think the first five verses of that chapter are referring to the past. Verse six is referring to the nation of Israel during the time of Jacob’s Trouble (the tribulation), and the rest is also future. Here’s an interesting verse:

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).

That verse is a future event, and it says the devil has angels with him. The next verse says there is rejoicing because the accuser of the brethren has been cast down. It says that he accused them before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). Again, if we just read the verses, and leave them alone, they plainly state that Satan still has access to go before God.

I know what you may be thinking: but sin can’t be in the presence of God, right?

I know people have said that, but they say it because they don’t want to believe the difficult truths. Look, when Jesus told a bunch of people they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have life, they left him. It was a difficult truth, and many people depart from the word of God when they’re faced with a difficult truth. So people ask where is God with all of this sin, and well intending preachers say God’s turned his back because he can’t witness this sin. Wrong, the Bible plainly says “the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). Someone asks why I can’t go to heaven without Jesus Christ, and people say because sin can’t enter into his presence. Well cut the book of Job out, then, because it flat out says Satan went before him twice.

If we just leave it alone, the Bible answers our questions.

Summing up:

There are definitely fallen angels. I don’t know all of the details, but some of them are reserved in chains of darkness. They had offspring that have been eliminated, but their spirits MAY still be wandering. There have likely been other rebellions, which means some of those fallen angels are still roaming about doing the work of Satan. I’m not claiming to be an expert, and I certainly don’t have all of the answers. Study to show YOURSELF approved, and pray to the Lord for wisdom about these things.

This is all very interesting to me, which is why I study it and write about it, but it’s definitely not the only reason.

Angels and Demons make for Good Storytelling

I love a good story of heroism or a last minute rescue. I’m a sucker for the white knight charging in to save the day when it seems the battle is lost. That’s one of the many reasons I like writing about angels. When the children of Israel, with Joshua as their leader, crossed over Jordan, the captain of the Lord’s host showed up. I love that. They didn’t go into it alone. When Elijah had lost all hope, an angel shows up and feeds him. That’s amazing. Out in wilderness, alone and afraid, he was protected. Jesus was tempted of the devil forty days, and then the angels showed up to strengthen him, just like they did when the time of his death had arrived and he was praying alone in the garden of Gethsemane.

Angels are ministers, and I’m comforted to think that someone with that kind of power might be watching over me. I get excited reading about Jesus’ resurrection, but I’m also glad there was an angel there to roll the stone away. I can’t resist, man. This stuff intrigues me.

But those angels are not just there. The book of Daniel makes it clear that many of them are warring with Satan’s forces. There is an invisible realm with spirits battling each other, and that battle has been going on for a long time. Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened when they were surrounded, and God granted that request. He saw that the enemy was also surrounded by chariots of fire and a great army. Angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s Bosom in Luke 16, and I think he may have received that personal escort because there were some demons ready to devour him.

Personally, I’m glad I can’t see that invisible world, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. And, I’m curious about it. I like speculating on it, so I write about what may be going on.

But then something amazing happens. I create these stories of fantasy, loosely based on the things I’ve mentioned here, and God brings out these amazing truths. I have a book coming out in the fall, Fate of the Redeemed. It’s the sequel to Fate of the Watchman, and really my goal was to pull back the curtain on spiritual warfare and also raise awareness to the situation of persecuted Christians around the world. That was it, but through the writing of this book, I have learned the importance of prayer, forgiveness, faith amidst adversity, and the victory the church has over Satan, death, hell, and all of those demonic forces. By writing about angels and demons, I’ve grown stronger in my walk with God, and I hope that others experience that through reading it.

I’m getting ready to publish my first short story in the Fate series, which was just intended to be a prequel to Fate of the Watchman. Through writing that story of just over 5,000 words, I have learned a great deal about how to react to anger, fear, and temptation. I’ve gained new insight into what the Bible says when it tells us to “try the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). I’ve learned more about what it is to be like Jesus and to handle things and look at things the way he did, and for that I’m very thankful.

Conclusion

Paul says he declared the whole counsel of God. He spoke very often about angels, principalities, and powers. He didn’t hide from difficult truths, and he had a very close walk with the Lord. The scriptures are filled with references to spirits and angels. While I think our focus should always remain on Christ, I believe God put these things in his word for us to learn. We may never have all of the answers to some of the questions of origins and purpose for these superhuman beings, but that doesn’t mean we cannot gain anything from studying what has been revealed to us. The understanding of some things may require that we question the sayings and teachings that have been passed down from generation to generation, and that’s alright. We should not be seeking the truth of men but the truth of God. By learning the deep things of God we learn to have a deeper, more connected relationship with him.

Lastly, my desire is to edify the body of Christ through the things I write. In everything I do, I want to honor my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. People may not always agree with me or my approach, but in no way do I wish to offend. May the Lord bless you as you seek to grow in his grace and knowledge.

Becoming Mighty Men of God

Becoming Mighty men of God

Most people have heard about David’s mighty men. You may have read about them in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Their exploits were legendary: defeating scores of the enemy all alone, taking down giants, and defending their king and land against impossible odds. I’ve often wondered what it must have been like. As a combat veteran, I can imagine battle scenarios, but these men fought hand to hand in extreme weather without reinforcements. If you want to read a very realistic portrayal of these mighty men, you should really check out the Lion of War Series by author Cliff Graham. You will not be able to put them down!

But David’s mighty men were fighting a physical battle and, while I’m sure they dealt with this to some extent, they were not waging spiritual warfare. I’m not trying to lead anyone astray and ask you to take up arms and fight in the flesh. No, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4). We wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

Click here to learn more about spiritual warfare.

However, there are many great lessons we can learn about becoming “mighty men of God” through some of the attributes of David’s mighty men.

Mighty Men Have Faith

Adino the Eznite, using a spear, fought against and defeated 800 men at one time. Abishai did the same against 300 men. We’re not talking about people asleep in their beds. We’re talking about warriors who were trying to kill these men. Eleazar fought until his sword was fixed to his hand. Benaiah went into a pit and fought a lion. Just stop and think about these feats for a minute.

I’ve seen men give in to their fear when they were outnumbered by the enemy, when bullets were flying and rocket propelled grenades were being fired in their direction. Trained soldiers reduced to tears, hiding while the battle raged around them. These were men whose fear outweighed their faith. They had no assurance that they were on the side of right. They had no assurance that their army was going to conquer, despite the odds.

Too many men turn and run when they’re overwhelmed by the odds stacked against them. Too many are reduced to tears, crying over what could be or never was. Broken dreams fall through the cracks of life when we do not have enough faith to fight for them. Too many marriages are destroyed by men who run. Too many families crumble. Too many fatherless children seek guidance in all of the wrong places. Why? Because men have lost their faith. They’ve hid from the battle.

They hide in their work and hobbies. In bottles, pornography, and women. These men are cowards. They fear truth like those soldiers feared bullets. They fear confrontation like those soldiers feared the rocket propelled grenades (RPGs). These men find cowards like themselves and then mock men of faith who are willing to stand against a multitude of sin with nothing but a book in their meager hands.

Someone fleeing the battle may have called Adino a fool. Ask any battle seasoned soldier what happens to the one who runs away. Someone watching from a safe distance may have prematurely labeled Abishai a dead man, and while he was saying that the enemy would have taken him to his grave. A coward would have yelled to Eleazar to retreat and live to fight another day, but a man of faith knows his life is even as a vapor and there is no promise of tomorrow. The average man would have called Benaiah insane, but men of faith don’t measure life in averages.

The truth is, when your faith is fixed, the opinions of cowards will fall before you as easily as the Philistines at the mighty men’s feet.

Mighty Men are Determined

Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite stood when everyone else fled. When the Philistines gathered and were ready to take down the nation of Israel, few were apparently willing to defend their nation. Many might have said that what he was trying to defend was not worth it. He stood his ground in a field of lentiles with the possibility of death a very real thing. Yet, to him, it was worth it. Shammah was called upon to defend the land promised to God’s chosen people.

One definition of being a soldier is being willing to stand when others are unwilling to rise. It means to defend one’s country at all costs, to fight for those unable or unwilling to fight for themselves. It is a special kind of person willing to take that stand and answer that call. In fact, according to DMDC reports, less than 0.4 % of America’s population is on active duty military status. Less than half of one percent is willing to stand and defend their nation.

Maybe they don’t see it as worth defending. Maybe they look at the problems and see them as too insurmountable. Maybe they’re ignorant of the war going on and think peace reigns. Most people are ignorant of the fact that soldiers are actively deployed in combat operations around the world at any given time. America still has soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Terrorists still threaten the nation while politicians claim the enemies of the United States have been defeated. These are the kind of people who will flee when the war breaks out on home soil while the Shammah’s of the world will rise, take arms, and defend their nation with their very lives.

And yet, the church continues to let the enemy take ground daily. Television replaces Bible study. Facebook and Twitter replace fellowship. The love of sleep replaces prayer. Fable loving, itching eared church members attack the preacher willing to stand and proclaim that God hates sin and strife. So-called “saints” call witnesses for Christ unloving while the masses continue the broad way to hell.

Corporate oligopolies print counterfeit Bibles by the millions, watering down the truth, removing the miracles of Christ, removing the blood, the penalty for sin, the demand for holiness. The devil embraces these publishing powerhouses, laughing in the face of God as he strategically removes one important truth after another. Fewer and fewer of God’s people look and see the value in that field because culture says plow it up and plant something else.

Fasting becomes outdated, so it’s removed. The sanctity of marriage becomes old-fashioned, so it’s removed. Now there is a version of the Bible for everyone, conveniently and safely catered to their precious needs so that anyone can proclaim themselves righteous, but there is only one man who is still truly righteous, and he has been given a name which is above every name, Philippians 2:9.

Men of God are determined to stand for truth for righteousness. The gifts, ordinances, and blessings bestowed on the church by Jesus Christ mean something to the man of God, and he is willing to rise up in defense of them. When others flee to lives of comfort and false peace, he raises the banner and declares, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Mighty Men are Loyal

There is a reason that less than 1% of the U.S. population is in the military. War is dangerous, and people value their lives. There is a reason that only a portion of the military is actually comprised of front line soldiers. War is really dangerous when you’re the one actively engaging the enemy, rather than providing support. And there is most definitely a reason that a tiny fraction of the military make it to the elite ranks of the special forces. To go behind enemy lines is practically suicide.

David had three mighty men whose loyalty knew no bounds. When he longed for home, he merely said that he wished he could drink the water from the well in his hometown of Bethlehem. His warriors did not hesitate. They “hazarded their lives” by going behind enemy lines to get him a drink of that water. It was a suicide mention, yet they went without question. Their logic?

They said, “Our king wants something. It’s our duty to get it.”

Loyalty to God requires losing love for self. Those men would not have gone for a pitcher of water if they valued their own lives above the life of their commander. They could have easily gone to a spring, filled it with water, and told David they got it from the well in Bethlehem. But not these men. They were loyal. They were steadfast in their service to him.

Jesus preached hard truths, truths that turned many away from him. Multitudes followed him for the food and healing he provided. We only know the names of just a little over a dozen followers of Christ that stayed with him. In the end, they all valued their lives over his because they ran when the soldiers showed up in Gethsemane. Some followed from a distance after they had safely made it out of sight of the soldiers. Peter even tried to fight, until it was clear he was not going to win. He denied Christ when the possibility of joining him in death confronted him. John stood at the cross, but he was not willing to be hanged beside him.

Mighty men are not loyal in word alone; they have given up self for the cause of Christ. The apostle Paul said he died daily, 1 Corinthians 15:31. He suffered more trials than most can imagine. He was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, starved, and cursed with a physical affliction that forever eliminated his pride.

When God shows them a need, mighty men of God act upon that need because they are determined to serve. Their personal needs have been set aside for the cause of Christ, and what God places value on is valuable to them.

A field of lentiles may not have seemed valuable to the ones who ran away, but it was valuable to the man who stood his ground and won the victory. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of not giving up anymore ground. Satan has taken too much. Depression has taken too much joy. Infidelity has taken too much trust. Hate has taken too much love. Broken promises have taken too much hope. It is time for men of faith to stand with determination, draw a line in the sand, and declare that the enemy will not take one more inch!

Mighty Men are Courageous

Earlier in this post I talked about men I watched gripped with fear in the midst of battle. Those men were not cowards. They just allowed their fear to be stronger than their courage. The men who are cowards are the ones that run from their responsibilities and forsake their families. No, those soldiers were brave enough to go. I can’t judge them. I was just as terrified in those battles, and I am no better than anyone. My list of failures is long and shameful.

Courage, though, doesn’t come from the strength in a man’s arms. It doesn’t come from the ability to fight. Any coward can fight. In fact, most bullies are cowards. They attack the weak because they, themselves, are weak. Courage is a culmination of the first three points: Faith outweighs fear, determination breeds resolve, and loyalty puts duty above all else. These are necessary to be courageous.

To be righteous, to rely on God, is to be courageous. David’s mighty men embodied this combination.

It’s what kept Adino’s knees from buckling in the face of an army, cascading around him like a wave. It’s what kept the sword from falling from Eleazar’s hand when exhaustion threatened to bring him down. It’s what not only took Benaiah into the snowy pit to fight a lion but what brought him, alive, out of that pit.

Sadly, courage is a word tossed around in modern culture.So much so that the word has lost its effectiveness and meaning.

Courage is not attacking someone via social media. Courage is not finding the people who disagree with you and doing your best to slander them and destroy their livelihood. Courage is not co-signing to something you don’t believe in order to save face or prevent backlash from a society that doesn’t care what you think but does want to silence all who oppose its immorality.

Courage stands alone. Courage takes the backlash and does not retaliate in kind. Courage knows truth and stands resolved in that truth no matter the consequences. Courage battles fear with faith. Courage battles mediocrity with passion, hate with love, insecurity with trust, and courage does not give in when it gets hit. Courage battles on.

David’s mighty men fought on. Mighty men of God fight on.

Conclusion

Declaring one’s self a “man of God” does not make one a man of God. It disgusts me when I hear preachers do this. They think a pulpit makes them holy, and they lord their self-proclaimed authority over people. These are cowards, hiding behind a mask of superiority.

The true man of God is humble, and others give him his title.

I use the terms men of God and man of God because they are written in scripture that way. Everyone (man, woman, boy, or girl) who belongs to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is called to be faithful, determined, loyal, and courageous for Christ. However, the statistics for the results of fatherless children do not lie. Neither do the statistics for children whose fathers were just a person in the home, rather than involved champions for their children.

Evil must not go unchecked. Someone must stand in the field, raise the sword, and fill in the gap. Someone must defend truth and right.

So, man of faith, will you also be a mighty man for God?

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The Spiritual Warfare Battle Plan - The Wiles of the Devil

Spiritual Warfare Battle Plan

The Wiles of the Devil

In combat, the first instinct is usually not the correct move, unless experience has honed your instincts. Someone who’s been shot at before instinctively gets down when shots are fired. Someone without that experience looks around and ends up shot. Simple, really. Inexperienced soldiers think like themselves in a combat situation and end up overtaken by the enemy. A combat soldier has learned to think like the enemy and is less likely to be caught off guard.

Spiritual warfare is no different. When most people are under attack from the devil, they just react and walk right into the trap, which is why it is so important to have a spiritual warfare battle plan. Knowing the enemy is critical to that plan.

The Tactics of the Enemy

Distraction is still one of the most effective battle strategies, despite it being the oldest. Throw a rock away from your position. When it lands, it creates the sound, and the person you’re attacking looks in the direction of the sound. That’s when you strike. Simple. Get people distracted, and then go do whatever you want. The inexperienced leader will weaken his defenses by sending extra recruits to check on the noise. Now at least one area is vulnerable. Attack there and keep moving. That won’t work on the experienced veteran. He will sniff out the distraction and predict the attack to come from the other side.

Satan knows how to distract people and make their defenses weak. He knows how to put up a smokescreen, keeping you focused on the smoke while he moves his forces into position. He is like a fisherman. He knows how to bait the hook for just the right fish. But he’s not God. He’s nowhere close. He can’t be everywhere at the same time, he can’t see everything, and he doesn’t know everything. Which means he can be defeated.

So how does he distract us?

Simple. He uses our own lusts against us. This is laid out perfectly for us in the book of James, chapter one:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:13-15).

He lays the trap, baiting it just for you, and you run to the bait because you see something you desire. That’s when the trap falls. Do you see the pattern? He doesn’t come attack you with a pitchfork. That’s not the kind of battle we’re talking about. He’s not going to show up at your door with a shotgun. He’s going to put people in your path, things on your TV, whispers in your ear. He’s going to offer you the things you already want, and he’ll do it with subtlety. Then when you bite, you’ll sin of your own volition, and the wages of sin is always death (Romans 6:23).

And can we just take a time out to say that not all lusts are created equal? It’s largely because of the culture we live in, but when you say the word lust people tend to think of one thing. Well sure, Samson fell because he lusted after women, but Eve took a piece of fruit because she lusted after forbidden knowledge. Judas lusted after silver. Lust is simply something you desire strongly. It might be as simple as you wanting to skip church services because you lust after sleep. It’s not always going to be sexual or obvious.

So now that we’ve established how cunning the devil is, let’s learn more about his tactics so that we can prepare our defenses against his attacks.

He Longs to be Worshiped

It’s strange the way Satan has hidden himself throughout history. There are some passages in scripture that seem to be referring to a prince or a king of a nation, but then things are said in some of those passages that simply cannot be applied to a human king. I think one of the reasons for that is that Satan has positioned himself in a place where he can be worshiped. I don’t know if he is going full out and possessing these kings, or if he’s just around them, manipulating them. I can’t speculate too far into that, but I don’t see another way of explaining passages like Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, because they get pretty weird.

The Fall of Lucifer

In Isaiah 14:4, God says a proverb will be taken up against the king of Babylon, and then it goes into the detail of the king dying and going to hell. Straightforward so far. It then talks about other kings in rejoicing in the fact that such a powerful king has become just like any of them. Straightforward so far. Then it says:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Granted, most of what’s said regarding the king of Babylon in that chapter is definitely referring to Nebuchadnezzar, but he was never called Lucifer, and he never fell from heaven. Nebuchadnezzar was also a pagan king with no understanding of God. He surely would not possess knowledge of what heaven was like, so I doubt he would have said anything about the “sides of the north.” The only logical (and it’s still pretty far out there) explanation is that this is referring to Satan when he fell from heaven. But why was he thrown out of heaven?

The Anointed Cherub Cast Out

In Ezekiel 28, we get another prophecy against a king, this time the king of Tyrus. We start off with a king being told that he’s going to be punished for declaring himself a god. Hey, a lot of kings have done this throughout history. Normal for the most part. But it goes off the rails pretty quickly. This king is said to be wiser than Daniel. That wisdom has been used to gain great power. I mean, Daniel was human, so that’s not indicative of this king being Satan…but Daniel did have supernatural wisdom given to him by God. So, there’s that.

And then this happens:

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:13-16).

Um…what?

There’s probably been some old kings, but none of them were thousands of years old. Not only that, but the garden in Eden was closed off to man and then lost in the flood. No humans were there except Adam and Eve. But there was one other person in that garden. We don’t need to guess because scripture tells us it was the serpent, and Revelation 20:2 tells us the serpent is Satan. I’m just telling you what it says, folks. If your preacher, priest, professor, or whomever says that’s not referring to Satan, don’t believe it. Comparing scripture with scripture makes it plain and obvious. If you need more proof, he was called the anointed cherub. Multiple passages from the Bible (Exodus, Isaiah 6, etc.) tell us that the cherubim cover the throne. This individual was “upon the mountain of God” and “walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.” This individual was cast “out of the mountain of God.” It’s not referring to a human. It’s Satan.

But what both of these passages have in common is that they show Satan for what he is: a fallen creature who desires to be worshiped as God. He has planted himself in the powerful kings of the past, so there is no reason to believe he is not still doing that. 2 Corinthians 4:4 calls him the god of this world. He’s the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2. When he tempted Jesus, he offered him the kingdoms of the world, and Jesus DID NOT look at him and say, “They’re not yours to give.” He has exalted himself, and he longs to be worshiped, so be careful what sort of accolades you bestow on man. Be careful how wonderful you think some king, president, or leader is. Worship God, and place no other gods before him.

He is a Counterfeit to the True God

Remember in Isaiah 14 when Lucifer said he would be like the most High? Well that’s exactly what he meant. He not only wants to be worshiped as God, he wants to be him. If you start pulling back the layers in scripture, you start to see the pattern of counterfeits. You recall Jesus warning there would be many “false Christs?” Let’s look at just a few examples of how Satan counterfeits God.

The Trinity

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one. The word “trinity” isn’t in the Bible, but the fact of the trinity is clearly laid out in scripture, no matter what anyone says. So-called scholars have tried for hundreds of years to discredit 1 John 5:7. One, it is supposed to be there. Two, even if it wasn’t in the Bible, the rest of the Bible makes it clear that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. There’s no time to go deeply into that here, but take some time to study Isaiah 9:6, John 12-14, and Matthew 3 among many other places.

The devil has his own, counterfeit trinity. In the book of Revelation, the beast is raised up to rule the nations, and the false prophet is his mouth piece. They are both raised up by Satan. Revelation 13:4 says the dragon gives power to the beast, and the people will worship the dragon. This is the unholy trinity, manufactured by Satan to deceive the nations into worshiping him, but that trinity will be broken:

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Satan has no originality. He is going to copy Christ in the latter days. He will be wounded and rise again. He will use that marvel to convince people to follow him, and he will set himself up in Jerusalem as a false Christ.

Apostles

Jesus had his apostles. They were given power and preached his gospel. Satan has false apostles. They transform themselves into the apostles of Christ. As in, they declare themselves to be apostles. When Christ’s apostles were performing their ministries, they did so under the power and authority of Christ. He appointed them to be apostles. Again, Satan is a counterfeit to everything Jesus does. Jesus has a gospel; Satan has a false gospel. Jesus gave his apostles power to perform miracles; Satan’s false apostles perform false miracles. Just take a look at 2 Corinthians 11:13:

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”

These are Satan’s ministers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Listen, beware when people claim to be an apostle in these times. The book of Acts makes it very clear what the qualifications of an apostle are, and no one meets those requirements anymore. If someone claims to be an apostle, ask him or her if he or she was there during the baptism of John and was a witness to the resurrected Christ. I don’t mean that individual has received Christ as savior and now is a witness for Christ. I mean actually saw him, bodily resurrected. Because when Peter stood up in Acts 1 and listed out the qualifications of whom would take Judas’s place, those were the qualifications. There were more than twelve apostles, but they all met those standards. One one was born out of due time (1 Corinthians 15:8). That’s Paul, and he met the qualifications of an Apostle in a unique way. He may have been with the pharisees during the baptism of John, but he was certainly there. He also saw the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. These people claiming it now are false apostles.

A Resurrection

As I mentioned above, Satan will have a false Christ that will be “resurrected” in the tribulation. Revelation 13:3 spells this out plainly:

“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

This is where false teachers come in and try to convince you that that verse is referring to a kingdom or a city. Maybe it’s Rome or something like that. The problem with that is the rest of the chapter, the rest of the book of Revelation, and common sense. If the entire chapter refers to him as a man, and then gives him a number at the end of the chapter that’s the number of a man, why would it be anything else?

Because Satan wants to hide in plain sight. He wants you to question God’s word, the same way he got Eve to fall in Genesis three. Read Revelation 13:3 in its context, and it is plainly a man. Verse 11 of the same chapter brings the false prophet forward, another man with the power to bring fire down from heaven and other miracles. What is his purpose? Why does he have those powers? To cause the people to worship the beast (the resurrected man). What was the point of the miracles the apostles of Christ performed? To cause people to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Who was he trying to convince? The Jews because the Jews require a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22).

They are waiting for their messiah to come and restore the kingdom. They are blind to the fact that he already came, so Satan is going to come and convince them that he is their messiah. They don’t realize that the foretold prophecy of Psalm 16 was fulfilled. If you’re still not convinced that the beast will have a false resurrection and be worshiped; if you’re still not convinced that a false prophet will mimic the miracles of the apostles to deceive people into worshiping the beast; if you think the beast is a city or a kingdom or a nation: what do you do with this verse?

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

There are many other ways Satan counterfeits God (the mark, false light, a lion, false gospel, etc.), but we’ll move on for now.

The Enemy is a Master Thief

I’ve met a lot of people like Satan. Their thinking is truly warped. If they can’t have something, or if they can’t get something through honest means, they just take it from someone else. That’s Lucifer. Can’t have the worship and adoration of man? Take it from God through deception. Can’t have eternal life, blind the minds of the people who can so that they never receive it. Can’t have peace? Steal from those who do. Can’t have the kingdom of the earth? Steal it. Jesus made it clear in John 10:10:

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

This is where I want to just try and get as practical as I can with you for a few minutes. Satan is on a short timetable. It seems like forever to us. It’s been thousands of years, and it’s almost like the Lord is just never going to come back. I mean Paul thought the Lord would return in his lifetime, right? We’ve been saying the Lord is coming back for two thousand years. Well, there’s an entire study just into the prophetic time clock that would take way too long to explain here, but let’s just sum up by saying that thousands of years are like a day to the Lord (2 Peter 3:8). Satan’s time is running out, so he’s doing his best to amass as much as he can before the clock stops. His goal is pretty simple: get people to worship him and curse God.

He will steal your joy

You know how to achieve fullness of joy? Be in fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:1-4). You know how you lose that joy? Get out of fellowship with Christ. Begin to question God in the wrong way, out of fellowship. I don’t mean asking what this verse or that verse is saying. I mean getting to where you doubt the power of prayer, doubt the truth of God’s word, doubt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and doubt whether you should serve God. May I remind you that Satan got Adam and Eve questioning God, and the result was them kicked out of the garden where he walked with them in fellowship?

Our problems pile up, and we tend to blame God, and then we question his love for us. We lose our joy because our fellowship has been stolen.

He will steal your peace

There is only one group of people on the planet that should have peace, and that’s the people who have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. The people who have received the peace that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We are one with the one who spoke peace to a storm, and the storm was stilled. We are one with the one who conquered death, the grave, and hell. And yet we so often live a life full of care, worries, and fear. We look at the storm waters and sink when we should be water walkers! We forget that we are to be careful for nothing (Philippians 4:6). We forget to cast our cares upon him (1 Peter 5:7). We forget that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

We forget. And, sometimes, we quote those verses in the midst of our troubles without any resolve. Brethren, Satan may be able to steal many things, but cannot steal your soul. If you are saved by the grace of God, it is sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Don’t let him steal your joy or your peace. Don’t let him steal your family through worldly possessions and fleshly desires. Don’t let him steal your marriage through strife and pride and vainglory. Don’t let him steal your passion through burdens. Rejoice in your sufferings, realizing that, when you are weak, he is strong!

Conclusion

I said at the beginning that inexperienced soldiers think like themselves and fall to the cunning of the enemy. They are easily distracted by the things the enemy wants them to focus on. On the other hand, seasoned veterans of battle have conditioned themselves to think like the enemy and therefore anticipate the attack.

I’m not suggesting that you focus on Satan and spend your time trying to figure out his mind. No. No. No. An emphatic no. I’m simply saying that you need to be aware of his tactics so that, when you are distracted, you can understand the attack. So:

Be careful what you fix your eyes and heart on. Don’t be fooled into worshiping something other than God.

Don’t be fooled by the counterfeits of the devil.

Don’t allow Satan into your home or heart, because he will rob you blind of your blessings.

When trials come, remember the one who endured the greatest trial of all on your behalf. Remember the crown of thorns beaten into his brow. Remember the beating he took. Remember the nails driven into his hands and feet. The solitude he had to endure, alone and naked on that cruel cross. Remember the Father turning his back on his own son and leaving him in darkness so that you would never have to walk in darkness again. Think on these things, and live.

The Spiritual Warfare Battle Plan - Expect Attack

Spiritual warfare battle plan

Expect the Attack

I spent ten years in the infantry. I fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I’ve seen combat and the results of war. I know the lasting impact it has on everyone involved. The sleepless nights. The triggers. Memories that somehow seem more real than the tangible present. There is no glory in it, regardless of any book or movie dramatization. It is only destruction. It is death.

Spiritual warfare at work can often lead to the same devastation.

A Nation Caught off Guard

I still remember the twin towers falling on 9/11. I remember where I was, what I was doing, and how I reacted. I, along with the rest of the nation, was taken completely by surprise. We thought we were safe. The people working in the towers thought they were safe. The passengers aboard United Flight 93 thought they were safe.

How could we have been so off our guard? This is the same nation that lost thousands during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. I know, a lot of time had gone by. We’d defeated that enemy, become allies with Japan. Our national security had improved. No reason to feel unsafe. Right?

I guess the Word Trade Center bombing in 1993 didn’t happen? Don’t kid yourself. You lock your doors at night because you know there’s a possibility that someone could break in. Police don’t exist to create crime; they became necessary to protect people against crime. There’s no justifying the ignorant lull our nation had fallen into when those planes were hijacked. And there’s certainly no justifying the lull we’ve fallen into since then. Most people don’t even pay attention to the fact that our country has been at war for nearly two decades. Yep, soldiers are still being killed on foreign soil.

So how does this relate to spiritual warfare?

Because all combatants of war know that surprise and distraction are essential to gaining the advantage. I used to laugh during training operations. Every morning and every evening we prepared ourselves for possible attack. That’s not when the attacks happen, though, not even in training. They happen when no one is looking. They happen when everyone is happy and enjoying life, going about their business without a care in the world. That’s when the rockets and mortars land in the compound. That’s when the convoy gets hit with a roadside bomb, or a car bomb crashes through a gate. That’s when the sniper becomes the most deadly.

And that’s also when the devil strikes.

He showed up when Adam and Eve were alone in the garden. He showed up as soon as Christ was manifested at the Jordan River. He showed up when Job was prospering. The Bible is clear on this:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8.

A lion. As in a hunter. As in waiting for the right moment to pounce and devour. He’s subtle. He’s a liar. He uses tricks. He is not coming to your door with a pitchfork. You won’t recognize him. He will camouflage his efforts against you. You won’t know which direction he is coming from. He will distract you first, and then the assault will be sudden and devastating. Which is why the Bible tells us to walk circumspectly in Ephesians 5:15.

Learn more about Satan and his goals here.

I wish I could wash these memories away, but some of the most painful things for me to think about are the faces of the men who froze when the enemy attacked. I do not judge them, whatsoever, and I would readily defend them against anyone who dared to speak against them. They were overwhelmed by an impossible situation. They did not want to succumb to their fear. They did not want to be paralyzed by the horrors they were facing. They were brave enough to be there. How many people can say that?

But they should have known it was coming.

The Deception

Too many times I listened to grown men bragging about how they were going to handle themselves in combat. I watched them strut in their pompous arrogance, declaring their masculinity loudly so that no one doubted it. They were experts in all things related to warfare. Except, they didn’t really believe the war would come to them. They were not prepared to manage their fear because they were not anticipating how bad it could get.

It may sound very cliche, but during training we said and heard the term, “train as you fight” a crazy number of times. You know why? It’s like muscle memory. If you do something often enough, your muscles will adapt to it and become accustomed. To this day, if I hold a rifle in my hands, I immediately go to a ready position without even thinking about it. My finger will be along the trigger well to prevent accidental discharge but close enough to fire in an instant. I don’t close my eyes when I hear a crash. I duck and turn toward the sound. I took my training seriously, and I played out scenario after scenario in my mind, allowing the reality of actual combat to terrify me. Some people just don’t take it seriously, and it overwhelms them in the moment.

The worst thing a person can do is imagine that the enemy is not really out there, hunting. If you convince yourself that you’re safe, you’re in grave danger. The Bible doesn’t say pray without ceasing for no reason, and Paul didn’t say to put on the whole armor of God for the sake of saying it. He said it so that we could stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). I told you that the devil is out there, roaming like a lion on the prowl. Most people know 1 Peter 5:8. You rarely hear people quote the next verse.

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:9).

Why would there be a warning to resist an enemy if the enemy isn’t really there? So many people fall pray to this. All of us do, really. But just like the enemies of the United States who have attacked this nation on our own soil, our spiritual enemy knows how to lie in wait, gathering information and plotting out the perfect time to strike. That’s actually a very basic strategy of warfare: Gather as much information about the enemy as possible, and plan your attack with precision, deliberate timing. Learn their habits. Study the way they react to things. Then start testing them. Terrorism 101: Create a disturbance, and see how the security forces respond. Do it again and see if they react the same way. Now wait. Let them think everything is back to normal and then strike in multiple directions.

The attack is coming, but it won’t come the way you expect it. You may already be under attack. You may be in his cross-hairs. You may already have been defeated. There are different forms of attack.

Those who have already been defeated

There are some people who don’t really register on the devil’s radar. They’re the people who don’t pay attention to spiritual matters. He doesn’t mind them attending church, as long as they don’t listen too closely to the sermons or Sunday school lessons. They can sing the songs, as long as they don’t get convicted over them. He’s fine with them reading the Bible, but not if they meditate on what they’ve read. Prayer is fine, as long as it’s not spiritual warfare prayer. As long as they’re not begging God to save the souls of men. As long as they’re not repenting over their sin and asking God to make them more like Him.

Someone reading this may be thinking, “That’s a good thing. Just live life the way I want, do the right thing, and I won’t have to worry.”

Sorry, no. Just because you’re not on the radar doesn’t mean you’re safe. Those people I just described are the ones living under the false notion that they’re removed from the war. Wrong. They’re the prisoners of war. Slaves to the enemy invaders. They do what they’re told, when they’re told. Don’t believe me? I think we too often forget that Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). He’s set this world on a course that is in opposition to God:

Humanism, Gnosticism, Mysticism, and Holism reign.

The Bible is viewed as a collection of outdated, hate-filled, man-made lies.

Immoral stars of music, television, movies, and the internet sway our beliefs.

Telling someone that Jesus died for their sins means they’re a sinner, so anyone saying that is hateful and couldn’t possibly know the real God of love.

People living that way, running that course and believing that host of lies, remind me of the people I saw living in landfills in Iraq. Their homes were made of trash. Their food was found in the trash, made on top of trash, and consumed by filthy hands. I didn’t look down my nose at those people. My heart broke for them. I pitied them. I wanted to pull them out of that place, but I was powerless to do so. They didn’t realize how bad their conditions were because it was all they had ever known. They thought it was normal.

And yet, even in the church, so many people watch trash, listen to trash, consume trash, and live in a landfill created by the devil. He is subtle, merciless.

Being Prepared for Battle

Few people survive when they’re ambushed. The results of attacks on those caught off guard are usually tragic. In order to fight the enemy, you must be prepared for the enemy. In Iraq, we had barriers in place, and they were set far enough away to diminish damage by attacks at the gate. I wish that’s what we had done from the beginning, but we didn’t learn to do that until people fell victim to the attacks. We had guards, but not every guard can always be diligent enough. We patrolled, but we could not see everything, and we could not look inside every house or hear every conversation. We traveled with our guns mounted and aimed in such a way that we covered 360 degrees. It never stopped the snipers because they knew where to hide.

What I can say is that all of the precautions we did take reduced the amount of casualties. I just want to admonish you that God has given us the precautions we should take to prevent ourselves from becoming casualties. He has warned us to be careful what we put before our eyes. He has warned us to hide his word in our hearts. He has told us to think on holy and righteous things. He has told us to cast off the works of darkness, to put off the old man and put on the new. He has told us to sing spiritual songs to ourselves and meditate on God’s word day and night. He has given us a book detailing the history and tactics of the enemy. He has given us weapons to fight the enemy. We have the Sword of the Spirit and the Armour of God.

We do not have to be overtaken by the enemy. Nor do we have to live in a landfill to keep him from being bothered by us. As we used to say in training all the time:

“STAY ALERT, STAY ALIVE!”

May God bless you as you wage a good warfare. Remember, the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not carnal.

Get equipped for spiritual warfare with books and devotions from Chad Pettit.

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A Third of the Stars in Heaven

a third of the stars of heaven

Understanding Angels in the Bible

Are angels real?

Ever since God put a man and a woman in a garden in Eden, the devil has been trying his best to undermine scripture and turn the word of God into a fairy tale. If he can do that, he can convince the world of anything. Get rid of the Bible, no devil to worry about. Get rid of the Bible, no God to be judge and authority over morality. No Bible=no heaven and no hell. No consequences for our actions.

But how does Satan go about this task? The same way he always has: He frames questions over the validity of scripture, and that small question mark at the end of a sentence plants the seed of doubt that can then be nurtured by more questions, arguments of so-called science, and emotional appeals.

Don’t believe me? Look at the pattern in Genesis three:

The serpent re-frames what God commanded them and turns it into a question: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1).

The woman corrects the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:2-3).

The serpent counters with some false truth, telling Eve that she won’t die but will become like the gods (interesting that she didn’t say there was no such thing as other gods).

The woman listens to these “facts” and then gives in to her desires.

That’s the pattern, folks. But the devil can’t stop there; he has to bring every bit of scripture into question. So, naturally, the only people who claim to have seen angels are ridiculed, and their intelligence and sanity are called into question. Am I saying that the people claiming to have seen angels really did? No. Maybe, maybe not. But the fact is that angels are real, according to the Bible. Satan just perfected steering people away from Biblical arguments. Someone says angels to you, and your mind goes to some Hollywood version, romanticized and ridiculous. Someone says they’ve seen angels, and you get nervous and think they’re nuts. None of that changes what the Bible says.

What does the Bible say about angels?

It’s not really possible (or profitable to you) to list what the Bible “says” about angels. The truth is, just like many doctrines of the Bible, once you start looking through scripture, the references are everywhere. Let’s try to categorize these and make sense of angels.

Angels are stars

I know that sounds crazy, but remember how we prefaced this whole thing: Satan wants to convince you that the Bible is a joke. He wants you to use your own reasoning (engineered by the seeds he has planted in Hollywood and books) instead of sound, Biblical truth.

Let’s look at a few places in the Bible to see if my claim holds water:

The Morning Stars

The book of Job has some very interesting moments, but one of THE most interesting is when God appears to Job and begins to describe how powerful he really is. He asks Job if he was there during the creation of the world, and something very revealing is said:

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).

God said there were morning stars, and they were singing. Jesus is called THE Morning Star, Revelation 22:16.

The angels of the seven churches

When the Lord appears to John in the book of Revelation, someone appears to him “like unto the Son of man.” That man is holding seven stars in his right hand. The bible doesn’t make you guess as to what they are; it tells you that they are the “angels of the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20).

The star that guided the wise men

When the wise men from the east came looking for the king of the Jews, they follow a star to the house (side note: this proves that the wise men didn’t appear on the night that Jesus was born, but that’s for another post). They follow the star, which moves and then STANDS over the house where Jesus is. The Bible says it stood, not me. Also, moving star, just saying. Not shooting, not falling. Moving on purpose, guiding these men to Jesus.

Not all angels are on the Lord’s sideThere are “fallen” angels

This can get a little tricky, but if we simply allow the Bible to interpret itself, there will be no confusion. As we’ve established, angels are sometimes referred to as stars. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every star you see in the sky is an angel. It just means that sometimes, when the Bible refers to stars, it is actually speaking about angels. One such instance is of great significance to prophecy and our present world.

“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born” (Revelation 12:4).

Revelation is difficult but not impossible to interpret. The above verse takes place in the midst of a vision John sees. The vision begins with a woman “travailing in birth.” There is a dragon, and that dragon’s tail draws stars from heaven, and they fall to earth. The woman gives birth, and the dragon is poised to devour the child. The woman represents the nation of Israel. The child is Jesus, and the dragon is Satan, ready to destroy the “seed of the woman.” The child is caught up to heaven (after his death, burial, and resurrection), and then there is war in heaven. You can learn more about these warring factions of angels, here.

The “third of the stars” here are the same as the dragon’s angels who fight against Michael and the angels with him. When Satan fell from grace (Ezekiel 28), he took others with him. You might think a third is not so bad. After all, there are still two-thirds on God’s side. Well, that’s true, but you have to consider the fact that the angels are an innumerable company, Hebrews 12:22. How many is a third of a number so high that it can’t be listed in scripture?

What’s significant about these fallen angels?

The fact that they’re fallen is one thing. We could probably live with that, right? Unfortunately, that’s not all the Bible has to say about them. We know that they will join with Satan to fight against the archangel, Michael, and have a war in heaven one day. But what about now? What are they doing on earth, presently?

I can’t tell you, for sure. I can only give you what the Bible says. Fortunately, it has quite a few things to say. In my post on Satan’s Mighty Men, I discuss some of these things, which you may find interesting, if you’d like to learn more about the war going on behind the scenes. Let’s look at some of the activity of these fallen angels.

Reserved in chains of darkness

Further proof that angels actually followed Satan, rather than being accidentally knocked out of heaven by his tail, is what the Bible has to say about their future. The Bible says they are kept in chains, in darkness, and are waiting for the coming judgment:

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6).

To eliminate confusion and prevent us from thinking that these angels are condemned to this fate for taking a vacation, 2 Peter 2:4 tells us that they sinned and were cast down to hell. In fact, this is who hell was created for, according to Jesus in Matthew 25:41.

OK, great. All safe, then, right? Those angels sinned, and they’re in hell awaiting judgment. Well, true...for some of them.

Ministers of Satan

In Second Corinthians, Paul warns of false apostles, saying they are “transformed into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). The next verse says that Satan can transform into an angel of light, and the following verse warns that his “ministers” can do the same thing. You can spiritualize that verse, if you want, but the fact is that the Bible just told you Satan and his angels can appear as angels of light. This wouldn’t seem like such a problem, if Paul hadn’t warned about an angel from heaven preaching a false gospel in Galatians 1:8.

Honestly, ask yourself: Have you ever heard of any religions, after the New Testament was written, that were formed after an angel appeared to someone and gave them “another gospel?” That is exactly how Mormonism started. According to Islam, an angel appeared to Muhammed and gave him revelation, as well. So, if you think these were not literal warnings from the Apostle Paul, I wonder how you justify that? There are two religions that literally base their beliefs on an angel appearing and preaching another gospel. And, if you just want to count these men as crazy and say that angels didn’t appear to them, I wonder how you justify that, as well.

Listen: If the Bible says that Satan has angels, and those angels can appear, why not just believe that they can appear?

There is a story about Martin Luther, and I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I don’t doubt the possibility that it could have happened. When he was translating the Bible into German, Martin Luther famously began to understand its truth and to live according to the word of God. On one of those nights, there is a story that he was visited by someone who simply appeared in his room, claiming to be Jesus Christ. Luther, allegedly, threw his ink well at it and told it to be gone. He had been reading the Bible, and knew two things:

Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God and won’t return until his actual second coming.

Paul had warned about the appearance of angels preaching another gospel.

What about the angels who are on God’s side?

It can’t all be doom and gloom, can it? I mean, no matter how dark it gets, the Bible still tells the story of God’s greatness! Part of that greatness is countless victories, many of which are yet to come. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the angels that are are still faithful to the Lord.

Angels are warriors for God

We’ve already looked at this, but the Bible makes it clear that there will be a war in heaven, and it will be fought between angels. We don’t have full battle descriptions in major detail, but there are plenty of occurrences in the Bible that tell us about angels fighting battles. Daniel chapter ten and Revelation chapter twelve are examples of angels warring. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 tells us that, when the Lord returns, Jesus will come with “his mighty angels.” And, of course, no one wanted to tangle with that flaming sword wielding angel God used to seal the way to the garden in Eden.

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter six, the King of Syria has sent an army to get Elisha because the prophet has been warning the King of Israel of Syria’s plans. One morning, the servant of Elisha wakes up and sees that they are surrounded by the horses and chariots of an army, and he is afraid. When he calls out to Elisha, the prophet prays that God will open his servants eyes. God does, and his servant sees that the army of the Syrians is surrounded by horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17). Few are allowed to see these things, but God uses this moment to show his people that he is fighting on their side. Let us not forget that Elisha was taken up into heaven by a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11).

Angels are God’s messengers

You almost have to ask yourself: If we were to remove from the Bible all the places where an angel delivered a message to God’s people, how much would we actually know? I won’t discuss every time an angel appeared as a messenger. Instead, I’ll just provide a few examples.

When God was about to deliver the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, he sent the angel of the Lord in a burning bush to tell Moses he would be their deliverer. The angel of the Lord also appeared prior to this to Hagar, the handmaid of Abraham, and Abraham when he was about to slay his son, Isaac. The angel of the Lord appeared many more times as the messenger of deliverance. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, first telling him to take Mary to be his wife and, second, to warn Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt.

There are many more verses that tell of times either “the” or “an” angel of the Lord appeared. This is only meant to show that angels have been used by God as messengers. Coincidentally, there is an argument that at least some of these appearances of The Angel of the Lord are actually God speaking through an image or similitude of God. Some could be what is often called a Christophany, an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ. But, these are things to be discussed in a more extensive post.

Angels are ministers

Several times in the Bible, an angel appears to someone, strengthening that individual. The Bible makes it clear in the book of Hebrews, chapter one, that angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). Here are just a few examples:

When Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he ended up on the run from Jezebel. Alone in the wilderness, he asks God to end his life, but God sends an angel of the Lord to give him food, instead.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into the fire, an angel appeared and had the appearance of the Son of God.

When Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, he was tempted by Satan. After Satan left him, angels came and strengthened him. Before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and he was under such distress that the Bible says and angel appeared, strengthening him.

Angels are among us

It may be uncomfortable for some people to acknowledge this truth, but there are angels among us. To deny the fact that there are angels throughout the earth is to deny the Bible as truth. However, it should not be a fearful thought that angels are among us. In fact, we should be comforted by this. If Satan’s angels are among us, isn’t it a glorious thing that God’s angels are also among us? Moreover, God’s angels far outnumber the fallen ones.

It would have been difficult for an angel to disturb the waters at the Pool of Siloam if there was no angel.

When Jesus was resurrected, that fact was made known when an angel appeared to Mary and the other women at the tomb.

The Apostle Paul said that the apostles were made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men, (1 Corinthians 4:9).

Paul said that the church would judge the angels, (1 Corinthians 6:3).

The writer of Hebrews said that we should entertain strangers because we have entertained strangers without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).

I’m glad I won’t be here to see most of the events in the book of Revelation, but there are some parts that would be amazing to witness, like the loosing of the four angels that, apparently, are bound in the river Euphrates and will come forth when the sixth angel sounds his trumpet.

We’ve covered a lot of material here and learned quite a bit about angels. First, they are real. They are referred to in many ways, including stars, and this helps us to understand more about them. There are, likely, millions of angels, and not all of them are on the Lord’s side. Many of them fell from heaven when Satan led a rebellion. Satan and his angels are at war with God and his angels. The angels on God’s side are ministering spirits, sent to strengthen and deliver God’s people. They are among us, and this should be a comforting thought.

This post has barely scratched the surface of all the Bible has to say about angels, but it is my hope that you will provoked to do as the Bereans did and search the scriptures!

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Who are the Sons of God?

the sons of god

Understanding the Biblical term

Want to start an argument between church members in a Bible-believing church or among Bible scholars? Hopefully not, but if you’re up for picking a fight, just ask who the sons of God in Genesis six are, step back, and watch the sparks fly. There are few topics that raise more tension between professing Christians than the subject of the sons of God. Personally, I don’t know why. None of the arguments have an effect on a person’s salvation. None of the arguments make a person more spiritual, wiser, or closer to God. Well, maybe, but only if you’re actually studying this in order to know the scriptures so that you can have a more intimate relationship with the Lord.

This won’t be a long post. I intend to show what the Bible says and leave. Why? I have no intentions of arguing with anyone. If, for some reason, you think arguing Bible doctrine with fellow followers of Christ makes you spiritual, you are sadly mistaken and need to repent. If you are a pharisee of any degree, please go to another blog or article. I’m here to equip the saints with knowledge of the Bible so that they may wage a good warfare because the enemies of God’s people (the world, the flesh, and the devil) are real, and they are the ones we should be armed against, not the brethren. With that being said, I won’t be saying anything new, but hopefully I can give you a brief overview to help you better understand this subject so that you can have another key to unlock more doctrine and understand the word of God better.

What does the Bible say about the sons of God?

That’s not a one sentence answer kind of question. There are several times this phrase is used, either as Son of God, son of God, or sons of God. Notice the capitalization because it matters. If the Bible you’re reading doesn’t make a distinction between son of God and Son of God, you might want to consider getting a different Bible. Just saying.

First up...who is called the Son of God?

That one’s easy: Jesus.

Done. See you next time.

Kidding, but not totally joking. I’m going to explain (that part was a joke). Jesus is the Son of God (that’s no laughing matter).

Over and over again, all throughout the New Testament, Jesus is called the Son of God. When Mary was visited by an angel and told that she would be the mother of Jesus, the angel told her that the child would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). The devil tempted Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry, by telling him that he could turn stones into bread, if he was the Son of God (Matthew 4:3).

The devils he cast out knew that he was the Son of God (Matthew 8:29). After walking on water and calming the storm with his mere presence, his disciples knew and acknowledged that he was the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). He was held on trial because he, allegedly, called himself the Son of God (Matthew 26:63). After his death on the cross there was an earthquake and many supernatural events that caused the centurion to call him the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). These and other references to him being called the Son of God are not limited to the book of Matthew.

What about the controversy, Chad? *sigh* You had to ask? OK. There’s this one verse...the only Old Testament verse that uses the term “Son of God” with a capital “S.” It’s guaranteed to start a fight. Again, I don’t know why. Any answer anyone gives is, at best, a conclusion that cannot be proven dogmatically. Meaning? We’re just not sure about this one, so why argue? Here it is, along with my take that may or may not change through further study:

In the book of Daniel, there are three Hebrews in captivity in Babylon. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, had made an image of himself and commanded all people to worship it anytime they heard certain music playing. Well, everyone did as they were commanded, except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to worship the idol image, so (long story short) they were thrown into a furnace but not before the heat was turned up. And...they didn’t burn. Not only that, but Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and saw them walking around in it, and he also saw a fourth figure. Here’s what the king said:

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25).

And thousands of years later, the church loses its unfortunately divided mind because half say this is Nebuchadnezzar declaring that Jesus was in the furnace with the Hebrews, and half say it was an angel and there’s no way this pagan king could have possibly known who Jesus was.

For context, we know that the Babylonian king worshipped many gods (Daniel 3:14). We also know that a little while before this, he had a dream and was given insight into the true God. So much so that, after Daniel had given him the understanding of the dream of the image, the king made Daniel ruler over all the province of Babylon (Daniel 2:48).

Daniel requested and got it approved for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to take that job while Daniel sat in the gate (vs. 49). It stands to reason that the king may have sought some additional knowledge from Daniel. It also stands to reason that he erected this image of himself because of the dream where he was told he was the golden head of a great image representing him being ruler of the world.

So he sees the fourth man, and he says it is LIKE the Son of God. He didn’t say it was him. In verse twenty-eight, he said the God of these three had “sent his angel.” Several references throughout the Bible to “the angel of the Lord” could be referring to a similitude of Christ. There’s debate over Moses seeing God face to face (Exodus 33:11) and then not being able to see God and live (Exodus 33:20), but the book of Numbers makes it plain that he saw a similitude, not God in the flesh (Numbers 12:8). I don’t think it’s outlandish to say that the king, despite being a pagan who worshipped multiple gods, understood that this was a similitude. Sorry it that ruins your really excited yet ultimately hollow “Jesus was in the fire with ‘em” sermons, but we’re here for truth, not feel good preaching. Do I believe that God is with me in my trials? Absolutely. The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is in me (Ephesians 1:13, John 14:20).

There’s argument over the Aramaic and various translations for “God,” stating that it could be “gods.” I don’t pretend to have an understanding of ancient languages, but the experts that translated that word for hundreds of years (the guys that could actually speak those languages) said it was “God” based on the context. If you read  Daniel two and three, you find out that the king acknowledged the God of the Hebrews was a “God of gods” and the only “God that can deliver after this sort.”

So what’s my take? I don’t know. No one does. If anyone says, dogmatically, that they know for sure it was Jesus, or it was an angel, or anything else, they’re wrong. No one knows. Me, I tend to think it was an angel, but that angel was the similitude of Christ, the Son of God. Does my salvation depend on that? Not a chance. Moving on.

What about a son of God?

In this, singular form, there’s just one. It’s pretty significant, which may be why God had it written that way. In Luke chapter three, we get the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Unlike Matthew, which traces his kingship, Luke traces him all the way back to Adam. Why? Well, Jesus IS the Son of God, but he is also the Son of man. It’s very interesting, though, the way Luke labels these ancestors.

It starts out with Jesus being the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli (Luke 3:23). Every person after that is listed as “the son of” and then a name is given. The name of a man. That is, until we get to verse 38:

“Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.”

Pay attention to the article there because it’s important. Jesus is THE Son of God, but Adam is also called THE son of God. There are many ways of dividing the Bible, and we are told in 2 Timothy 2:15 to “rightly divide the word of truth.” One such way is by the generations of the first Adam and the generation of the second Adam. No, I didn’t make a mistake in plurals just now. This is exciting stuff, so try to stay with me.

If you look through your Bible, you will only find two verses with the phrase “the book of the generation(s) of…” Why? One is the book of the generations of Adam (Genesis 5:1), and one is the book of the generation of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). Adam was created from the dust of the ground, and then God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. He was born of God and, therefore, was the son of God. All of his descendants were born to Adam. Adam was created in God’s image, but Adam’s sons were born in likeness and image (Genesis 5:1-3). Jesus, on the other hand, was born of a woman (descendant of Adam) but also of God. This is why the virgin birth is so important and should not be discounted. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22).

This also helps to clear up why Jesus referred to himself as the Son of man, but he IS the Son of God. He was fully man (born of a woman), and he is fully God (not born of the seed of Adam). This is how he was able to die in our place and pay the price for our sin. This, again, is why the virgin birth is so vital. We cannot and should not allow so-called scholars to rationalize everything into a historical error or discount the scriptures as myth and fairy tale. Hollywood cannot be the conveyors of the word of God; that is the responsibility of the church!

Well, not much controversy there. *sigh* I’m not done. It has to be done, but remember that we’re after truth, not arguments.

Who are the sons of God?

Dealing with the plural form, this is a complicated question, so we’ll try and stick with the basics. There are many references to “sons of God” in the Bible. If you have believed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; if you have trusted in Christ: you are a son of God. Sorry, the Bible doesn’t say daughter of God anywhere. I’m just going to leave that one alone. You’re a child of God. K? Let’s move on. As I said, there is more than one class of “people” this term applies to.

Angels

Where are you going? Get back here. Listen, some truths are difficult. I don’t see why this one is, but some people have a real problem with it. In my fictional book, Fate of the Watchman, I have an angel guiding the main character around through a frozen moment of time. In the sequel, Fate of the Redeemed, the angel is revealed to be a watcher. One person said that she wasn’t comfortable with the thought of angels watching over the affairs of mankind, so she wasn’t so inclined to believe it. One, the book is fiction. Two, the fact that angels do much more than watch is based on a large body of scripture. I cover angels in depth in my post, A Third of the Stars of Heaven. No being comfortable with something is a terrible excuse for trying to convince yourself it isn’t true. I’m not comfortable with the price of my water bill; it still comes once a month, and I have to pay it. Grow up.

Anyway, angels. Yes, these are called the sons of God. In the book of Job, God shows up to declare truth to Job and those with him. He asks him if he was there when God laid the foundations of the earth. This, obviously, is before the earth existed, which means it was before man’s creation. In Job 38:7, God says, “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” It can’t be talking about humans because they didn’t exist, yet. These are the angels, or at least some other race that existed before the earth was even formed.

So, here comes the controversy. In Genesis six, God decided that man was so corrupt he was going to destroy the earth with a flood. He spared one man and his family out of all the people on the earth. One. God makes it clear that man had been corrupted, but not just in his heart, which is stated in Genesis 6:5. No, the race of man had been corrupted, according to verse two.

“That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

I’m just going to say it: These are angels that sinned (2 Peter 2:4). They left their “first estate” (Jude 1:6). They mingled with human woman, had children, and those children were an abomination. I go more in detail on this topic in my post, Satan’s Mighty Men. This isn’t a racist thing. The Bible doesn’t say anything about white and black or any other colors, so it would be great if so-called “men of God” would stop preaching that nonsense. This is an angel, fallen from heaven (by choice), having intercourse with a human. You didn’t really think there was no element of truth to all those mythologies, did you? Here’s a thought: If nations who could not communicate with one another for centuries all came up with very similar origin stories, involving “gods” who had children with humans, do you think there might be something to it?

OK, so not everyone likes this idea. They are uncomfortable with it and try to explain it away. I guess those giants just naturally appeared, huh? No. We need to let the Bible interpret itself. The go-to verse for those denying this doctrine is Matthew 22:30 (also Mark 12:25 and Luke 20:35). This verse is Jesus telling the pharisees that, in the resurrection, people will not be married but will be like the angels in heaven. People then say: “See, the angels can’t have children.”

Sorry, the verse doesn’t say that. It ONLY says that the angels IN heaven are not given in marriage. It never says they can’t have children. It is also talking about angels which are actually in heaven.

The argument then carries to the “sons of God” in question here are the ungodly line of Cain. They have been corrupted through their sin and mingled with the godly line of Seth. I can’t even with that.

First, Adam sinned, and all of his children were born after that. So both Cain and Seth had a nature of sin.

Second, the Bible is clear that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), which includes me, and I’ve never mutated. My kids are crazy, but they’re not mutants. My third son is big for his age, but I think the Bible was a bit more literal when it talked about giants.

Third, they’re all the sons of Adam. We’ve established that, to be a son of God, you must be born of God. Cain, Abel, and Seth were all sons of Adam, not God.

If the Bible says there were sons of God with him before the foundation of the earth, then plainly there are some non-human sons of God abiding in the heavens. We know from the Bible that a third of the angels rebelled and left heaven with Satan. I don’t understand why it’s far fetched to say that these angels became further corrupted in their hearts and committed further acts of sin. That’s as far as I’ll go with this. The sons of God in Genesis six are not the ungodly line of Cain. Cain may have lived a long life, but he was just as human as the rest of us. Furthermore, he committed murder, something millions have done, and none of them turned into giants or had offspring that became giants. Last thought, Cain asked God for mercy. Just saying. Now, on to the other “sons of God.”

Believers in Jesus Christ

It’s always good to end on a positive note, and here it is. Those who have trusted in Christ, believed in their hearts that he rose from the dead, and confessed with their mouths that he is Lord are the sons of God. There’s no real controversy here. All we have to do is turn to the book of John, the book written to declare Christ as God, and we see this truth plainly written out.

Oh that men would believe in Jesus, but many do not. Oh that the Jews would have received him, but many of them did not. The Bible says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). But I’m glad it didn’t stop there! Let’s take a minute to end all arguments, sweep our frustration with one another aside, and rejoice in what the next verse says:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

Wait! Not done:

“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).

This is the difficult truth that Nicodemus couldn’t understand. We are all born once. That is our human birth, our birth into a sinful, corrupted body of flesh. The flesh comes from the earth, the same earth that was cursed by God after man sinned. In this body of flesh, we have no hope of heaven, no redemption for our sin. However, through a second birth, a birth of the Spirit, we have new life, hope, and redemption through his blood, even the blood of the cross!

Your greatest effort to live a clean life will come short of God’s glory. Your righteousness is filthy in God’s sight. Your best, my best, is failure. Without Christ, we can do nothing but fail. No sacrifice we could offer would ever be holy enough, righteous enough to cleanse us from sin. So God sent his only begotten son, the Son of God, to die in our place, be buried, and rise again that all who will believe can become the sons of God. I have no claim to heaven in my flesh, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am a joint heir with Christ. I am just as much a son as Jesus is THE SON!

Forget the controversy and rejoice in the truth. There is so much that we don’t know, and spending too much time dwelling on that will only lead to frustration. However, the little we do understand about God and salvation through Christ should fill us with the peace that passes all understanding!

Do I begrudge you if you believe differently than me on some of the points I’ve espoused in this post? No. Not at all. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind! I am way too busy enjoying the truth of salvation, and I pray you do the same. If you haven’t believed, today is the day of salvation!

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What is the Armor of God?

the armor of god

Putting on the weapons of warfare

If you’ve read the New Testament, heard at least a year of Biblical preaching, or have some spiritual friends, you’ve probably heard of the Armor of God. But do you know what it means to put on this armor? Have you fully come to understand that the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not carnal? Does it seem like you’ve been through some battles and came out on the other side weaker and worse for wear? If we’re honest, I think we can all nod our heads to that one. If you’re here to find out how to never have anymore battles, you’re in the wrong place. I, for one, will not lie to you about this: More battles are coming. If you’re here to learn how to wage a good warfare, I hope I can help you.

But before we get started, let’s make sure we understand the enemies we, as followers of Christ, fight against.

The World, the Flesh, and the DevilThe World

It may seem strange and even overboard to say that the world is the enemy of the Christian, but let’s look at what the Bible has to say:

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

Remember that Adam sinned in the garden in Eden. God therefore cursed the ground. It’s not like the curse has been lifted. In fact, things got worse. God destroyed the inhabitants of the earth with a flood, sparing only one family and enough animals to sustain that family, provide sacrifices, and replenish the earth. At the time, God saw that man was “only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). A few chapters after the flood, and mankind was trying to work its way into heaven at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).

This world is in opposition to God. It’s filled with lust and sin. Diseases are rampant as a result of a fallen creation. Pride and greed lead the way to war after war. How many people have been murdered for money, power, jealousy, or for no reason at all? Mothers, fathers, and children with no love for one another. Drug and other addictions abound. No, this world is no friend of God, and it should be no friend of his disciples. We are told not to love the world for a reason.

Of course, to say that the world is an enemy crouched in a dark alley, waiting to leap out and attack you with a gun would be foolish. It’s not that kind of enemy. No, the world is on a course, a collision course of destruction. Thankfully, God sent his son to deliver us from this course, one set in motion by Satan himself (Ephesians 2:2). Never forget, he is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Interestingly enough, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he took Jesus on a high mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world, then offered them to the Lord if he would worship Satan. You know what the Lord didn’t say? He didn’t look at the devil and say, “Those kingdoms aren’t yours to give, buddy.” Why? Because God has allowed Satan to rule. Do I understand all that? Not even kind of, but I do know that Satan had free reign to walk to and fro in the earth in the book of Job, and he also had access to speaking with God...among the sons of God (Job 1:6-7). Don’t fool yourself into believing you know everything there is to know. When I say the enemy is powerful, I say it with respect and fear, just like the archangel Michael when he was in the presence of Satan (Jude 1:9). This is the devil’s world, and it is filthy, vile, and wicked. Enjoy the creation, but don’t love this world.

The Flesh

How many times have you heard some variation of, “the devil made me do it?” How many times have you said it? None? You sure? Have you ever thought that, maybe, the devil “got in your head?” Have you ever heard Christians talk like this? Is it possible? Oh yes. He entered Judas before he betrayed the Lord. He filled the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3). But the reality is that Satan is not as powerful as The God. He’s not omnipresent or omnipotent. Apparently not, if he had to walk to and fro in the earth. Besides, I don’t think he really needs to do much to cause us to sin. Why?

Our flesh is the enemy of God, making it our enemy. But, Chad, how can my body be my enemy? Let’s ask God:

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:22-25).

The Apostle Paul, a man who saw the resurrected Christ, a man who performed the same miracles as the other apostles, said his flesh was at war with his mind. He wanted to serve the Lord, but his flesh wanted to serve sin. I think it would be wise to not consider ourselves above Paul. Another apostle, John, was the disciple known for being very close to the Lord (leaning on his breast during the final passover meal). He said that we are deceiving ourselves if we say we have no sin (1 John 1:8). Yes, that was written to people who believed in the Lord. There’s a difference between being saved and forgiven from your sin and being free from the temptation to sin.

You can work out that body of yours all you want. Put as much makeup and designer clothing on it as you can manage. Primp it, tan it, stare at it day and night; it’s still corrupt. It will go in the ground and rot after you die. Paul said there was no good thing in his flesh. He said we will shed this corruptible body, one day, and put on an incorruptible body (1 Corinthians 15:53).

If that doesn’t confirm the fact that this flesh is against God and responsible for the majority of the sins we commit, here’s the smoking gun:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).

That verse says that we are tempted by our own lusts. What did John say about those lusts? The ones that are in the world? There are two kinds: the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. Where did Jesus say sin could be committed? In the heart, just with the thought of it. Man, that’s rough. I’m not sure why Christians argue this one. We’re fooling ourselves and no one else if we act like these fleshly bodies, minds, and hearts don’t want to go against God. The Bible is clear: Men love darkness (John 3:19).

So take care of your body. It’s the only one you have until the Lord returns, and you should try to stay in good health (3 John 1:2). Just don’t obsess over it. Give it an inch, and it’ll...well, you get it.

The Devil

No need to argue here...at least you would think so. Unfortunately, the devil has done a wonderful job of convincing many people that he doesn’t exist. And I’m not talking about unbelievers; I’m talking about professing, Bible-believing Christians. These are the people that, somehow, don’t believe hell is real and that Satan is a myth. Please, someone kindly encourage them to read the Bible for themselves and not take the so-called preacher’s word for it. In fact, please run if your “pastor” tells you hell and the devil are made up or symbolic. To read about Satan’s ministers posing as God’s ministers, read my post on angels or Satan’s Mighty Men.

I shouldn’t have to do this, but here’s the undeniable proof:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Let’s look at the short list, shall we?

Man was created by God and set in a perfect creation...enter the serpent. Results? Cursed man, cursed woman, cursed earth.

Job was living the good life and was one of the richest and wisest men in the east...here comes Satan to challenge God. Results? Ten dead children, loss of his livelihood, a bitter wife telling him to curse God and die, and boils all over his body.  

Moses dies, and the archangel comes to take his body...enter the devil to try and take it. Results? The Bible isn’t clear how this one went down. We do know a couple of things: That body was taken into heaven, so Michael was the victor, but he was obviously intimidated, according to the book of Jude.

David is thriving in his kingdom, ready to gather the materials for the temple his son, Solomon, would build...Satan stirs him up to number the people. Results? Thousands killed.

Jesus is manifested as the Son of God to the nation of Israel and is then led into the wilderness...enter the tempter. Results? Well, Jesus won, but it took a toll on him. (Yes, Jesus could have killed him, but he was subject to his human body. It required food and rest, and he’d been fasting forty days and nights).

And the pièce de ré·sis·tance? Paul prefaces the need for the Armor of God by saying it’s so we can withstand the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We’ve spent a lot of time establishing the reality of the enemy, so you may have forgotten that this is a posting about the Armor of God.

The Command and the Danger

That title isn’t a typo. We’re commanded to put on the armor. Like it or not, when we became disciples of Christ we joined an army. We’re in a fight with “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). This is no easy battle. Sadly, most of us drift back into the course of this world and live for the flesh. We are far too often carnal, rather than spiritual. That’s how subtle the enemy is. We didn’t even realize living a normal life was losing the battle.

That’s the danger. The enemy isn’t some red-skinned guy with horns and a pitchfork. He got Adam to sin by asking his wife a question. He managed to get thousands of Israelites wiped out by convincing David to count the people. His tactic for Jesus? He tried to get him to do something well within his power and take care of his hungry belly. He’s subtle. He knows how to bait the hook, and he’s not going to come at you the same way he comes at me. Sure, some of his basic tactics are the same, but he’s really good at this. He’s been doing this for thousands of years.

The Offensive Nature of the Armor

I spent ten years in the army, and I went to combat twice. Before that, I was a martial arts instructor. One thing I learned was the principal of fight or flight. When you are faced with confrontation, you have instincts that kick in. Those instincts either tell you to run or face the conflict. Ask any police officer what happens to the person who runs in a fire fight: They get shot in the back. It’s dangerous either way, but you can’t protect yourself when you’re running.

It’s interesting to me that God tells us to flee certain things. He tells us to flee from fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). He tells us to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). He tells us to flee from temptation and a lack of contentment (1 Timothy 6:11). He tells us to flee youthful lusts and follow after righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22). But, when it comes to the devil, he tells us to resist, and the devil will flee from us (James 4:7).

The lesson is to run from obvious temptation. Remove yourself from the situation, just like Joseph did (Genesis 39:12). But to be able to stand against the devil’s tricks (wiles), you need to be able to see him and what he’s doing. It’s confusing, I know, but the idea is that you need to know when to let the separate instincts of fight and flight kick in. Which is why God says to stand. It’s also why none of the pieces of the armor are for the back.

Understanding the Purpose of the Armor of God

The key to understanding the Armor of God is to realize that it is really an admonition to be in a close walk with Christ through his word. Ephesians isn’t the only place where the armor is mentioned, but every reference points to Jesus Christ. Paul tells us to put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; John 9:5), and the Bible is a lamp to your path (Psalm 119:105). Paul said he was a minister by many things, among them by the armor of righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:7). The fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11), and the word of God is righteous (Romans 7:12).

The “Stand” Pieces of the Armor of God

I, personally, think that the pieces of the armor can be divided into two sections. Paul first says to stand “having” certain things already in our possession. “Having” our loins gird with truth and “having on” the breastplate of righteousness. It is stated that our feet are already shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. These are the pieces we need in order to stand against the wiles of the devil, and we’ll see why.

Belt of Truth

The Bible says to have your loins gird about with truth. But what is truth? Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said the word of God is truth (John 17:17). Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote Ephesians, and he very possibly was using Roman armor as an illustration. These soldiers didn’t wear pants; they wore tunics, and they would gird those tunics with a belt around their waists. It’s difficult to fight with a tunic flapping around your legs. Similarly, not knowing truth will cause you to stumble. Do you know how to spot a counterfeit dollar? You don’t study counterfeit strategies; you study the real dollar. That way, when something false comes along, you can spot it right away.

Satan will come with his lies. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a lying spirit. He lied to Eve, twisting what God said, and he has done that ever since. He took the Bible out of the hands of the people for over a thousand years and hid it in the hands of false ministers, ministers that twisted it to their own means until the time of the reformation. Even then, Satan played all sides, continuing to twist the word of God. Hundreds, thousands, were martyred for trying to translate the true word of God and live out its truths. Because of these acts, in the eyes of many, the Bible is nothing more than a book of lies or a collection of fables. People commit gross acts of sin and declare that Jesus wouldn’t judge them as they quote some liar and believe it to be the word of God.

God is not the author of confusion. Neither is he the God of hate so many make him out to be. Neither is he the sin-loving, accept everyone and leave everyone the way they are God of Hollywood and so many false preachers. He is the God of truth. He is the only source of absolute truth in this universe and the only defense against lies and deception. People want the darkness, want the deception, but we are to be sanctified through the truth and thirst after righteousness! Truth helps us to stand against the devil because it exposes the lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness

Paul says to have on a breastplate of righteousness. The admonition here is to protect your heart with righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but through the faith of Jesus Christ, we have his righteousness (Romans 3:22). A clean heart is the greatest weapon against the unrighteousness of this world. Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever condition he found himself (Philippians 4:11). But how? He chose to think on righteous things (Philippians 4:8), die to his own desires (1 Corinthians 15:31), and to fill his heart with the word of God (Colossians 3:16). David said he had hid God’s word in his heart that he might not sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11).

Where do we find this righteousness? Psalm 119 continuously declares that the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments of the Lord are right or righteous. Those testimonies are faithful (Psalm 119:138) and everlasting (Psalm 119:144). God says that he speaks righteousness in Isaiah 45:19. Remember when Jesus told a group of people that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart? If it’s inside you, it will come out. God is righteous, and righteousness comes out of him. This is further proof that the corruption in this world is not of God because he spoke the world into existence, and he speaks righteousness.

Remember what God said after he had finished each stage of the creation? He saw it and said it was good. If he created you as a new creature in Christ, then you’re righteous, but your righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. If you remember this the next time the accuser, or your flesh, or this world tries to convince you that you’re nothing or that you can’t overcome your past; you can have victory in knowing that you are dead to sin and alive through Jesus Christ! Righteousness helps us stand against the devil because it deflects the works of unrighteousness.

Greaves and Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

What follows (or is supposed to follow) war? Peace, right? The only thing that ceases a battle is when both sides declare a truce, cease fire, or a peace treaty. Of course we understand that many wars are fought over money, position, and power. The impetus for war may be an attack that “warrants” retaliation, but there is usually, if not always, a motive for power. This is as old as The Iliad, Homer’s ancient tale of The Trojan War. No one cared about the wife of a king being in an adulterous relationship; Agamemnon wanted power and to expand his empire. Just look at the history of kingdoms, and you’ll see this truth born out. A war is fought, a nation is conquered, a king becomes the subject of the conquering king. Hence the term, “king of kings” attributed to so many, including Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:37).

But nations won’t rise against one another if they have no reason to. They won’t fight if they are at peace and not jockeying for positions of power. When the Lord Jesus was still walking the earth, his disciples fought over whom would be the greatest in his kingdom. He showed them all how wrong they were and told them the least was the greatest. Even the King had come to be a servant. No jockeying for power. Give God the glory and serve others. People who have received Christ as their Savior understand this. It is not of God for people to politic to become the leaders in the church. No, people serve, and God raises up faithful people to be leaders. These are people who are prepared with the gospel of peace.

One day the world will know true peace because the Prince of Peace will have eliminated all of the nations and people who have rejected the gospel. The only people and nations left will be those who are filled with that peace. The Bible says a soft answer turneth away wrath (Proverbs  15:1). Only by pride cometh contention (Proverbs 13:10). Wherever God’s people go, we are to take his peace with us and spread it. We are armed with peace through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not war. Not fighting. Not contentions. Put God first, love and serve others, and let go of pride. Is this easy? No, and that’s why so many churches split or are filled with in-fighting. The gospel of peace helps us stand against the devil because it extinguishes the fires of war.

The Combative Pieces of the Armor of God

The pieces of the armor of God we’re told to take have the same characteristics of the pieces of the armor we are already supposed to be wearing, but there is also a clear distinction. Like the other pieces, the shield, helmet, and sword are all admonitions to walk closely with the Lord through his word, but these are pieces that require action. Truth helps us see the enemy. Righteousness exposes the nature of the enemy. Peace keeps us from fighting battles of pride. However, faith requires action. Salvation is not of works, but it should provoke us to good works once we have been saved. The word is like a sword we must exercise with, daily. These are action pieces, which is why we are told to “take” them.

The Shield of Faith

Faith. Could we ever exhaust this word? Is it possible to understand all the Bible has to say about it? We’re told to take the shield of faith so that we can quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16). It shouldn’t take much to convince us that the devil is shooting at us. Crime and war increase while churches pews empty by the thousands. More and more Christians confess suicidal thoughts and take prescription drugs for depression. More and more Christian marriages are torn apart. The number of prodigal children is astounding. The devil's darts are flying. Of that, there is no question.

So how do we avoid the bombardment when it seems never-ending and hopeless? What is faith? It is the hope in the midst of all this. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of the things we can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). We’re not blind in this battle. There is substance to our faith, the faith authored by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). We were powerless over sin until we trusted in Christ, and then we became conquerors. The redeemed life is substance. The restored marriage is substance. The prodigal returning for one is substance for the others still watching in the fields for theirs to come home. The murderer turned evangelist is the evidence that there is a God in heaven who sent his son to suffer, die, and then rise again that we might be saved!

But this faith must be taken. You must believe, and then you must endure trials so that your faith can be increased. A typical shield becomes weakened after being hit many times, but the shield of faith grows stronger with every blow. When we are at our weakest, God is at his strongest in our lives, standing between us and the enemy. Paul learned where true power lies after being beaten, imprisoned, tortured, shipwrecked, and alone. There, in those moments of weakness, he was left with nothing but his God, and his God gave him strength beyond measure. This is why he could tell others to pray with confidence, knowing that the cries of the saints were not blowing away in the wind, drifting into the skies; those calls are heard by the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our rescuer, our healer, our confidence. But you must take him as your own.

The Helmet of Salvation

Listen, it’s a free country, and if the laws in a state permit a person to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, so be it. I still think it’s crazy. Fall off a motorcycle at seventy miles per hour, and hit your head; there’s nothing there to protect you. Boom. Done. Life over. I went to combat twice. You couldn’t have paid me to take my helmet off when we were in downtown Baghdad. Would that helmet have stopped a bullet to my face? No. Of course not, but it would deflect many deadly things, including shrapnel.

Helmets exist for a reason, and every soldier in any war from any time period would tell you that. You don’t go to war without protection. In the spiritual battle, you will be assaulted by the lusts of this world. You will be assaulted by the desires of your own flesh, and you will be assaulted by the lies of the accuser of the brethren. Without a clear head to deflect these attacks, your thoughts will ruin you. Exhibit A: King Saul. He thought David was after his kingdom and wasted his life in pursuit of killing his most loyal warrior.

Are you saved? Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Have you been redeemed? Act like it. Think like it. You have not been given “the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). You have a new life. The former life is passed away. Don’t just acknowledge that once; think about it and rejoice in it. It’s difficult to wallow in guilt when you’re rejoicing in being forgiven. It’s difficult to be sad over finances when you realize your father owns the cattle upon a thousand hills and paves his streets with gold! Deflect the negative shrapnel of this world and the crushing blows of Satan’s sword with the helmet forged in your salvation. Don’t just be saved. Take that powerful piece of armor, put it on, and walk with your head high!

The Sword of the Spirit

I don’t need to define this one for you; the Bible makes it clear. What is the sword? The word of God. Let’s just look at just some of the characteristics of this sword:

It’s pure (Proverbs 30:5). This isn’t a sword made up bronze that will bend. It’s not tainted iron that can rust and never be pulled from the scabbard. It’s not badly mixed metal that can be broken by a stronger blade. There is no stronger blade because this one is pure.

It’s sure (2 Peter 1:19). You can rely on it. The word of God is the only absolute truth. Hundreds of prophecies and references to Christ’s coming were fulfilled, an impossible number for multiple writers on different continents in different times, unless God was the overseer. And he is. His word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). It will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). You can rely on it. He has preserved it through thousands of years of Satan’s efforts to eradicate it.

It’s strong and sharp (Hebrews 4:12). It’s powerful and cuts what needs to be cut. There is nothing more powerful than the word of God. Jesus was given a name above every name (Philippians 2:9), but God has magnified his word above all his name (Psalm 138:2). The world will be consumed, but the word will stand. Our flesh will rot and decay, but the word will be preserved for all eternity. The devil has and will try to destroy it, but he cannot stand against the power of the word of God.

The Final Word

Remember, you have an enemy. He is seeking to devour you. He wants you to fall prey to the traps he has set in the course of this world. He wants you to yield to the lusts of your flesh. He wants to hide the word of God from you because he knows that it will arm you, and once you are fully in that armor of God and wielding the sword of the Spirit, he has to flee. Remember that you are a new creature, created in Christ Jesus. You are a conqueror through him. Do not flee the enemy, but when you are presented with temptation, get away and don’t look back. Stand. Above all things, stand. Walk circumspectly because your adversary is subtle and cunning. Train with your sword daily, and go in peace.

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What is the Armour of God?

the armour of god

Putting on the weapons of warfare

If you’ve read the New Testament, heard at least a year of Biblical preaching, or have some spiritual friends, you’ve probably heard of the Armour of God. But do you know what it means to put on this armour? Have you fully come to understand that the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not carnal? Does it seem like you’ve been through some battles and came out on the other side weaker and worse for wear? If we’re honest, I think we can all nod our heads to that one. If you’re here to find out how to never have anymore battles, you’re in the wrong place. I, for one, will not lie to you about this: More battles are coming. If you’re here to learn how to wage a good warfare, I hope I can help you.

But before we get started, let’s make sure we understand the enemies we, as followers of Christ, fight against.

The World, the Flesh, and the DevilThe World

It may seem strange and even overboard to say that the world is the enemy of the Christian, but let’s look at what the Bible has to say:

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

Remember that Adam sinned in the garden in Eden. God therefore cursed the ground. It’s not like the curse has been lifted. In fact, things got worse. God destroyed the inhabitants of the earth with a flood, sparing only one family and enough animals to sustain that family, provide sacrifices, and replenish the earth. At the time, God saw that man was “only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). A few chapters after the flood, and mankind was trying to work its way into heaven at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).

This world is in opposition to God. It’s filled with lust and sin. Diseases are rampant as a result of a fallen creation. Pride and greed lead the way to war after war. How many people have been murdered for money, power, jealousy, or for no reason at all? Mothers, fathers, and children with no love for one another. Drug and other addictions abound. No, this world is no friend of God, and it should be no friend of his disciples. We are told not to love the world for a reason.

Of course, to say that the world is an enemy crouched in a dark alley, waiting to leap out and attack you with a gun would be foolish. It’s not that kind of enemy. No, the world is on a course, a collision course of destruction. Thankfully, God sent his son to deliver us from this course, one set in motion by Satan himself (Ephesians 2:2). Never forget, he is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Interestingly enough, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he took Jesus on a high mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world, then offered them to the Lord if he would worship Satan. You know what the Lord didn’t say? He didn’t look at the devil and say, “Those kingdoms aren’t yours to give, buddy.” Why? Because God has allowed Satan to rule. Do I understand all that? Not even kind of, but I do know that Satan had free reign to walk to and fro in the earth in the book of Job, and he also had access to the speak with God...among the sons of God (Job 1:6-7). Don’t fool yourself into believing you know everything there is to know. When I say the enemy is powerful, I say it with respect and fear, just like the archangel Michael when he was in the presence of Satan (Jude 1:9). This is the devil’s world, and it is filthy, vile, and wicked. Enjoy the creation, but don’t love this world.

The Flesh

How many times have you heard some variation of, “the devil made me do it?” How many times have you said it? None? You sure? Have you ever thought that, maybe, the devil “got in your head?” Have you ever heard Christians talk like this? Is it possible? Oh yes. He entered Judas before he betrayed the Lord. He filled the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3). But the reality is that Satan is not as powerful as The God. He’s not omnipresent or omnipotent. Apparently not, if he had to walk to and fro in the earth. Besides, I don’t think he really needs to do much to cause us to sin. Why?

Our flesh is the enemy of God, making it our enemy. But, Chad, how can my body be my enemy? Let’s ask God:

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:22-25).

The Apostle Paul, a man who saw the resurrected Christ, a man who performed the same miracles as the other apostles, said his flesh was at war with his mind. He wanted to serve the Lord, but his flesh wanted to serve sin. I think it would be wise to not consider ourselves above Paul. Another apostle, John, was the disciple known for being very close to the Lord (leaning on his breast during the final passover meal). He said that we are deceiving ourselves if we say we have no sin (1 John 1:8). Yes, that was written to people who believed in the Lord. There’s a difference between being saved and forgiven from your sin and being free from the temptation to sin.

You can work out that body of yours all you want. Put as much makeup and designer clothing on it as you can manage. Primp it, tan it, stare at it day and night; it’s still corrupt. It will go in the ground and rot after you die. Paul said there was no good thing in his flesh. He said we will shed this corruptible body, one day, and put on an incorruptible body (1 Corinthians 15:53).

If that doesn’t confirm the fact that this flesh is against God and responsible for the majority of the sins we commit, here’s the smoking gun:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).

That verse says that we are tempted by our own lusts. What did John say about those lusts? The ones that are in the world? There are two kinds: the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. Where did Jesus say sin could be committed? In the heart, just with the thought of it. Man, that’s rough. I’m not sure why Christians argue this one. We’re fooling ourselves and no one else if we act like these fleshly bodies, minds, and hearts don’t want to go against God. The Bible is clear: Men love darkness (John 3:19).

So take care of your body. It’s the only one you have until the Lord returns, and you should try to stay in good health (3 John 1:2). Just don’t obsess over it. Give it an inch, and it’ll...well, you get it.

The Devil

No need to argue here...at least you would think so. Unfortunately, the devil has done a wonderful job of convincing many people that he doesn’t exist. And I’m not talking about unbelievers; I’m talking about professing, Bible-believing Christians. These are the people that, somehow, don’t believe hell is real and that Satan is a myth. Please, someone kindly encourage them to read the Bible for themselves and not take the so-called preacher’s word for it. In fact, please run if your “pastor” tells you hell and the devil are made up or symbolic. To read about Satan’s ministers posing as God’s ministers, read my post on angels or Satan’s Mighty Men.

I shouldn’t have to do this, but here’s the undeniable proof:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Let’s look at the short list, shall we?

Man was created by God and set in a perfect creation...enter the serpent. Results? Cursed man, cursed woman, cursed earth.

Job was living the good life and was one of the richest and wisest men in the east...here comes Satan to challenge God. Results? Ten dead children, loss of his livelihood, a bitter wife telling him to curse God and die, and boils all over his body.  

Moses dies, and the archangel comes to take his body...enter the devil to try and take it. Results? The Bible isn’t clear how this one went down. We do know a couple of things: That body was taken into heaven, so Michael was the victor, but he was obviously intimidated, according to the book of Jude.

David is thriving in his kingdom, ready to gather the materials for the temple his son, Solomon, would build...Satan stirs him up to number the people. Results? Thousands killed.

Jesus is manifested as the Son of God to the nation of Israel and is then led into the wilderness...enter the tempter. Results? Well, Jesus won, but it took a toll on him. (Yes, Jesus could have killed him, but he was subject to his human body. It required food and rest, and he’d been fasting forty days and nights).

And the pièce de ré·sis·tance? Paul prefaces the need for the Armour of God by saying it’s so we can withstand the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We’ve spent a lot of time establishing the reality of the enemy, so you may have forgotten that this is a posting about the Armour of God.

The Command and the Danger

That title isn’t a typo. We’re commanded to put on the armour. Like it or not, when we became disciples of Christ we joined an army. We’re in a fight with “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). This is no easy battle. Sadly, most of us drift back into the course of this world and live for the flesh. We are far too often carnal, rather than spiritual. That’s how subtle the enemy is. We didn’t even realize living a normal life was losing the battle.

That’s the danger. The enemy isn’t some red-skinned guy with horns and a pitchfork. He got Adam to sin by asking his wife a question. He managed to get thousands of Israelites wiped out by convincing David to count the people. His tactic for Jesus? He tried to get him to do something well within his power and take care of his hungry belly. He’s subtle. He knows how to bait the hook, and he’s not going to come at you the same way he comes at me. Sure, some of his basic tactics are the same, but he’s really good at this. He’s been doing this for thousands of years.

The Offensive Nature of the Armour

I spent ten years in the army, and I went to combat twice. Before that, I was a martial arts instructor. One thing I learned was the principal of fight or flight. When you are faced with confrontation, you have instincts that kick in. Those instincts either tell you to run or face the conflict. Ask any police officer what happens to the person who runs in a fire fight: They get shot in the back. It’s dangerous either way, but you can’t protect yourself when you’re running.

It’s interesting to me that God tells us to flee certain things. He tells us to flee from fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). He tells us to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). He tells us to flee from temptation and a lack of contentment (1 Timothy 6:11). He tells us to flee youthful lusts and follow after righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22). But, when it comes to the devil, he tells us to resist, and the devil will flee from us (James 4:7).

The lesson is to run from obvious temptation. Remove yourself from the situation, just like Joseph did (Genesis 39:12). But to be able to stand against the devil’s tricks (wiles), you need to be able to see him and what he’s doing. It’s confusing, I know, but the idea is that you need to know when to let the separate instincts of fight and flight kick in. Which is why God says to stand. It’s also why none of the pieces of the armour are for the back.

Understanding the Purpose of the Armour

The key to understanding the Armour of God is to realize that it is really an admonition to be in a close walk with Christ through his word. Ephesians isn’t the only place where the armour is mentioned, but every reference points to Jesus Christ. Paul tells us to put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; John 9:5), and the Bible is a lamp to your path (Psalm 119:105). Paul said he was a minister by many things, among them by the armour of righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:7). The fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11), and the word of God is righteous (Romans 7:12).

The “Stand” Pieces of the Armour

I, personally, think that the pieces of the armour can be divided into two sections. Paul first says to stand “having” certain things already in our possession. “Having” our loins gird with truth and “having on” the breastplate of righteousness. It is stated that our feet are already shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. These are the pieces we need in order to stand against the wiles of the devil, and we’ll see why.

Belt of Truth

The Bible says to have your loins gird about with truth. But what is truth? Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said the word of God is truth (John 17:17). Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote Ephesians, and he very possibly was using Roman armour as an illustration. These soldiers didn’t wear pants; they wore tunics, and they would gird those tunics with a belt around their waists. It’s difficult to fight with a tunic flapping around your legs. Similarly, not knowing truth will cause you to stumble. Do you know how to spot a counterfeit dollar? You don’t study counterfeit strategies; you study the real dollar. That way, when something false comes along, you can spot it right away.

Satan will come with his lies. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a lying spirit. He lied to Eve, twisting what God said, and he has done that ever since. He took the Bible out of the hands of the people for over a thousand years and hid it in the hands of false ministers, ministers that twisted it to their own means until the time of the reformation. Even then, Satan played all sides, continuing to twist the word of God. Hundreds, thousands, were martyred for trying to translate the true word of God and live out its truths. Because of these acts, in the eyes of many, the Bible is nothing more than a book of lies or a collection of fables. People commit gross acts of sin and declare that Jesus wouldn’t judge them as they quote some liar and believe it to be the word of God.

God is not the author of confusion. Neither is he the God of hate so many make him out to be. Neither is he the sin-loving, accept everyone and leave everyone the way they are God of Hollywood and so many false preachers. He is the God of truth. He is the only source of absolute truth in this universe and the only defense against lies and deception. People want the darkness, want the deception, but we are to be sanctified through the truth and thirst after righteousness! Truth helps us to stand against the devil because it exposes the lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness

Paul says to have on a breastplate of righteousness. The admonition here is to protect your heart with righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but through the faith of Jesus Christ, we have his righteousness (Romans 3:22). A clean heart is the greatest weapon against the unrighteousness of this world. Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever condition he found himself (Philippians 4:11). But how? He chose to think on righteous things (Philippians 4:8), die to his own desires (1 Corinthians 15:31), and to fill his heart with the word of God (Colossians 3:16). David said he had hid God’s word in his heart that he might not sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11).

Where do we find this righteousness? Psalm 119 continuously declares that the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments of the Lord are right or righteous. Those testimonies are faithful (Psalm 119:138) and everlasting (Psalm 119:144). God says that he speaks righteousness in Isaiah 45:19. Remember when Jesus told a group of people that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart? If it’s inside you, it will come out. God is righteous, and righteousness comes out of him. This is further proof that the corruption in this world is not of God because he spoke the world into existence, and he speaks righteousness.

Remember what God said after he had finished each stage of the creation? He saw it and said it was good. If he created you as a new creature in Christ, then you’re righteous, but your righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. If you remember this the next time the accuser, or your flesh, or this world tries to convince you that you’re nothing or that you can’t overcome your past; you can have victory in knowing that you are dead to sin and alive through Jesus Christ! Righteousness helps us stand against the devil because it deflects the works of unrighteousness.

Greaves and Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

What follows (or is supposed to follow) war? Peace, right? The only thing that ceases a battle is when both sides declare a truce, cease fire, or a peace treaty. Of course we understand that many wars are fought over money, position, and power. The impetus for war may be an attack that “warrants” retaliation, but there is usually, if not always, a motive for power. This is as old as The Iliad, Homer’s ancient tale of The Trojan War. No one cared about the wife of a king being in an adulterous relationship; Agamemnon wanted power and to expand his empire. Just look at the history of kingdoms, and you’ll see this truth born out. A war is fought, a nation is conquered, a king becomes the subject of the conquering king. Hence the term, “king of kings” attributed to so many, including Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:37).

But nations won’t rise against one another if they have no reason to. They won’t fight if they are at peace and not jockeying for positions of power. When the Lord Jesus was still walking the earth, his disciples fought over whom would be the greatest in his kingdom. He showed them all how wrong they were and told them the least was the greatest. Even the King had come to be a servant. No jockeying for power. Give God the glory and serve others. People who have received Christ as their Savior understand this. It is not of God for people to politic to become the leaders in the church. No, people serve, and God raises up faithful people to be leaders. These are people who are prepared with the gospel of peace.

One day the world will know true peace because the Prince of Peace will have eliminated all of the nations and people who have rejected the gospel. The only people and nations left will be those who are filled with that peace. The Bible says a soft answer turneth away wrath (Proverbs  15:1). Only by pride cometh contention (Proverbs 13:10). Wherever God’s people go, we are to take his peace with us and spread it. We are armed with peace through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not war. Not fighting. Not contentions. Put God first, love and serve others, and let go of pride. Is this easy? No, and that’s why so many churches split or are filled with in-fighting. The gospel of peace helps us stand against the devil because it extinguishes the fires of war.

The Combative Pieces of the Armour

The pieces of the armour we’re told to take have the same characteristics of the pieces of the armour we are already supposed to be wearing, but there is also a clear distinction. Like the other pieces, the shield, helmet, and sword are all admonitions to walk closely with the Lord through his word, but these are pieces that require action. Truth helps us see the enemy. Righteousness exposes the nature of the enemy. Peace keeps us from fighting battles of pride. However, faith requires action. Salvation is not of works, but it should provoke us to good works once we have been saved. The word is like a sword we must exercise with, daily. These are action pieces, which is why we are told to “take” them.

The Shield of Faith

Faith. Could we ever exhaust this word? Is it possible to understand all the Bible has to say about it? We’re told to take the shield of faith so that we can quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16). It shouldn’t take much to convince us that the devil is shooting at us. Crime and war increase while churches pews empty by the thousands. More and more Christians confess suicidal thoughts and take prescription drugs for depression. More and more Christian marriages are torn apart. The number of prodigal children is astounding. The devils darts are flying. Of that, there is no question.

So how do we avoid the bombardment when it seems never-ending and hopeless? What is faith? It is the hope in the midst of all this. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of the things we can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). We’re not blind in this battle. There is substance to our faith, the faith authored by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). We were powerless over sin until we trusted in Christ, and then we became conquerors. The redeemed life is substance. The restored marriage is substance. The prodigal returning for one is substance for the others still watching in the fields for theirs to come home. The murderer turned evangelist is the evidence that there is a God in heaven who sent his son to suffer, die, and then rise again that we might be saved!

But this faith must be taken. You must believe, and then you must endure trials so that your faith can be increased. A typical shield becomes weakened after being hit many times, but the shield of faith grows stronger with every blow. When we are at our weakest, God is at his strongest in our lives, standing between us and the enemy. Paul learned where true power lies after being beaten, imprisoned, tortured, shipwrecked, and alone. There, in those moments of weakness, he was left with nothing but his God, and his God gave him strength beyond measure. This is why he could tell others to pray with confidence, knowing that the cries of the saints were not blowing away in the wind, drifting into the skies; those calls are heard by the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our rescuer, our healer, our confidence. But you must take him as your own.

The Helmet of Salvation

Listen, it’s a free country, and if the laws in a state permit a person to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, so be it. I still think it’s crazy. Fall off a motorcycle at seventy miles per hour, and hit your head; there’s nothing there to protect you. Boom. Done. Life over. I went to combat twice. You couldn’t have paid me to take my helmet off when we were in downtown Baghdad. Would that helmet have stopped a bullet to my face? No. Of course not, but it would deflect many deadly things, including shrapnel.

Helmets exist for a reason, and every soldier in any war from any time period would tell you that. You don’t go to war without protection. In the spiritual battle, you will be assaulted by the lusts of this world. You will be assaulted by the desires of your own flesh, and you will be assaulted by the lies of the accuser of the brethren. Without a clear head to deflect these attacks, your thoughts will ruin you. Exhibit A: King Saul. He thought David was after his kingdom and wasted his life in pursuit of killing his most loyal warrior.

Are you saved? Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Have you been redeemed? Act like it. Think like it. You have not been given “the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). You have a new life. The former life is passed away. Don’t just acknowledge that once; think about it and rejoice in it. It’s difficult to wallow in guilt when you’re rejoicing in being forgiven. It’s difficult to be sad over finances when you realize your father owns the cattle upon a thousand hills and paves his streets with gold! Deflect the negative shrapnel of this world and the crushing blows of Satan’s sword with the helmet forged in your salvation. Don’t just be saved. Take that powerful piece of armour, put it on, and walk with your head high!

The Sword of the Spirit

I don’t need to define this one for you; the Bible makes it clear. What is the sword? The word of God. Let’s just look at just some of the characteristics of this sword:

It’s pure (Proverbs 30:5). This isn’t a sword made up bronze that will bend. It’s not tainted iron that can rust and never be pulled from the scabbard. It’s not badly mixed metal that can be broken by a stronger blade. There is no stronger blade because this one is pure.

It’s sure (2 Peter 1:19). You can rely on it. The word of God is the only absolute truth. Hundreds of prophecies and references to Christ’s coming were fulfilled, an impossible number for multiple writers on different continents in different times, unless God was the overseer. And he is. His word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). It will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). You can rely on it. He has preserved it through thousands of years of Satan’s efforts to eradicate it.

It’s strong and sharp (Hebrews 4:12). It’s powerful and cuts what needs to be cut. There is nothing more powerful than the word of God. Jesus was given a name above every name (Philippians 2:9), but God has magnified his word above all his name (Psalm 138:2). The world will be consumed, but the word will stand. Our flesh will rot and decay, but the word will be preserved for all eternity. The devil has and will try to destroy it, but he cannot stand against the power of the word of God.

The Final Word

Remember, you have an enemy. He is seeking to devour you. He wants you to fall prey to the traps he has set in the course of this world. He wants you to yield to the lusts of your flesh. He wants to hide the word of God from you because he knows that it will arm you, and once you are fully in that armour and wielding the sword of the Spirit, he has to flee. Remember that you are a new creature, created in Christ Jesus. You are a conqueror through him. Do not flee the enemy, but when you are presented with temptation, get away and don’t look back. Stand. Above all things, stand. Walk circumspectly because your adversary is subtle and cunning. Train with your sword daily, and go in peace.

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Satan's Mighty Men

Satan’s Mighty Men

Understanding the enemies of God

Who are “mighty men” in the Bible?

Most people familiar with the Bible, or those who have been in church for any length of time, are familiar with the term “mighty men.” We hear sermons about David’s mighty men and how they were champions for their king. This stirs us to action as we are encouraged to be warriors for Christ and honor him with our lives. We’re exhorted to be like them but in spiritual warfare rather than the physical battles those unique men fought.

But are there other types of mighty men?

The phrase is not isolated to David’s soldiers, whom can be found in 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Jesus is called “The mighty God” in Isaiah 9:6. But doesn’t it stand to reason that--if there are mighty warriors on God’s side--there are probably mighty warriors in the other army? Should it come as a surprise that there is another army? Here’s a verse we rarely pay close attention to:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,” (Revelation 12:7).

Who is the dragon? Verse nine of the same chapter makes it clear, by name, that the dragon is Satan. But did you notice that Satan has angels? I won’t take the time to go into it in this particular post, but angels are sometimes referred to as stars in the Bible (Job 38:7). So how did Satan acquire an army of angels? In the same chapter, it says the dragon’s tail drew a third of the stars of heaven. “Well, at least it’s only a third. That can’t be very many. Right?”

Wrong. According to the book of Hebrews, the angels are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22). So we’re talking about a lot of angels in Satan’s army. By the way, I’m not saying those angels are the mighty men; I’m simply pointing out that Satan is not without help in his mission to destroy us. But the havoc caused by the old serpent runs a lot deeper than that. Now that we know there are mighty men on both sides of this eternal war, let’s see how they appear.  

What is Satan’s goal?

Every good fisherman knows how to bait a hook and disguise a lure. No one goes hunting with a sign written in deer that says, “Here to shoot deer.” Skilled athletes in competition sports know how to fake left and then go right. The point? Satan is subtle (Genesis 3:1), and he knows how to play the long game.

Let’s back up and learn a little something about warfare. Every army has a mission. That’s what they build their forces for. That’s what they train for. Satan’s army is no exception, but to understand his motivations, we need to go back to the book of Genesis and look at where the war started.

After deceiving the woman, after Adam had eaten the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God came through the garden in Eden and dished out the consequences of disobeying his command. We know the story. Adam now had to earn his food by the sweat of his brow, the woman had to suffer the pains of birth, and they were cast out of the garden. Satan (the serpent) got stuck eating dust and was issued a warning:

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

That was a prophecy to Satan, foretelling his demise at the hands (or heel, if you want to get technical) of Jesus Christ. How do we know this is referring to Jesus Christ? Because a woman doesn’t have a seed. The man carries a seed, so the reference here is not to a normal, human birth. According to God, one day a child would be born that was not the seed of men, and that happened through Mary (Matthew 1 and Luke 1). For Satan, that’s when his mission started. When God spoke that prophecy, the devil began his hunt for the seed.

Up to the very point of the death of Jesus Christ, the devil had one mission: destroy the seed that would one day crush him. His attempts were many, but they ultimately failed. A prime example of this is the slaughter of all children under two years old when Christ was born. And here you thought it was a jealous king who didn’t want to lose power. Sure, but that king was manipulated by something (or someone) far more powerful than his own greed and lust for position. Let’s explore some of the more subtle ways the serpent sought to seek and destroy the seed.

Appearances of the mighty men

There are many ways Satan’s mighty men appear, but the warrior class really shows up in two forms: giants and princes.

Giants

Let me say this: Satan is not stupid. Again, he’s subtle. He knows how to play the long game. He strategizes. He’s never going to win an open battle with Jesus Christ, and he knows that, so he has attempted to corrupt the seed. The Bible can be broken down in many ways, but one of the key ways of unlocking its truth is by realizing that it is about a King and his kingdom. That means, when you read about the nation of Israel, you’re reading about the nation God chose to bring forth his seed. Along the way, you hear about God wiping out entire nations and warning Israel not to mingle with the nations.

Why? It had nothing to do with racism. Plenty of study has made it clear to me that God couldn’t possibly care less about the color of our skin. No, it was about keeping the seed pure from the corrupt religions and practices of those nations. For the purposes of this post, suffice it to say that Satan was doing whatever he could to mingle with the nation of Israel and corrupt the seed. One byproduct of this mingling was giants. Let’s read what the Bible has to say about these giants, when they first showed up.

Genesis 6:1-4- “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

There are various schools of thought as to what the “sons of God” in these verses are, which you can read about in this post, but the only one that fits with scripture is that these are fallen angels who have mingled with human women. The results? Giants. These are the warriors, Satan’s might men that show up physically. We’ll talk more about these giants in a minute. But there is something going on behind the scenes, and Satan has mighty men there, too.

 Princes

I’m not going to lie. I might lose some people on this one, but if you’re with me so far, you might as well hear me out. Most people, if they read the Bible at all, read familiar passages. They might read the New Testament, and they skim over the parts that seem strange. This is why most people don’t know that the Bible is full of things that cannot be explained easily. But, if you read the entire Bible and trust that it’s true, this idea of spiritual warfare opens up in a brand new way.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 10, God allows us insight into some of the things he has hidden from our mortal sight. Daniel is by the river bank, and a man appears to him that has a face like lightning and eyes like lamps of fire (vs. 6). His body is like a jewel (beryl), and his arms and feet are like polished brass. Oh, and his voice? It sounded like a multitude. The people with Daniel were so startled by this “man’s” appearance that they fled, and Daniel himself became physically weak.

Daniel has been praying for help, and this man tells him that his prayers have been heard, but he was withheld from coming to Daniel by “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” for three weeks (Daniel 10:13). How did this man defeat this prince? He was helped by Michael, “one of the chief princes.” He talks to Daniel, telling him what is going to happen, and one of the things he tells him is that the prince of Grecia will come. He also says that Michael is Daniel’s (Israel’s) prince.

Um, what?

Listen, you can try your best to convince yourself that this is just some guy in a fight with the son of the the king of Persia if you want. You can close your eyes and tell yourself that the prince of Grecia is the same thing and that Michael and this whole “chief princes” thing is just a fraternity of future kings that get together, if that’s what you want. But remember the part where Satan drew a third part of the stars of heaven? Remember how those stars are angels? You know what Michael is called in the New Testament? An archangel. Hmm. Like a chief angel?

I know. This is a lot to take in. I understand that, and I’m not saying that I totally understand this doctrine. I don’t think anyone does. The point here is to understand the enemy so that we can wage a good warfare. You can’t fight if you don’t know who you’re fighting against.

Do you know one of the other names of Satan? He’s the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is told to speak to the prince of Tyre, but he’s commanded to say is very interesting. He refers to this prince as a man that has called himself God. Bad, but normal, so far. Well, then he starts talking about delivering that prince to the pit, and then he talks about the king of Tyre. Look at what he says:

Ezekiel 28:12-14- “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyre, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou are the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou was upon the holy mountain of God; thou has walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

This cannot be referring to a man, for a few reasons:

No one has seen the garden of Eden since God sent the flood.

He’s covered in jewels.

He’s a cherub (angelic being).

He was in the mountain of God.

He walked up and down the stones of fire.

We’re not talking about  a man. This is clearly an immortal being, an angel. The next verse says he was perfect when he was created. So, these princes, are not referring to men who are born to kings. They are angels or angelic creatures. They are powerful, and they are at war with one another.

When do Satan’s mighty men appear?

Remembering that the goal here is not to identify some obscure passages of scripture and come to some new revelation; the goal is to be aware of the enemy in order to properly prepare for the fight. Knowing the enemy entails understanding its mission, its capabilities, and its habits. You have to prepare for all possible scenarios. So when do these giants and princes show up?

When God is about to make significant changes

Back in Genesis six, God saw that man was totally corrupt, except for one man and his family. He knew what would happen: that family would die off, and no one would be left to bring forth the seed to redeem man. Man’s heart was corrupt, so was the earth, so God wiped it all out in a flood but spared Noah. Remember that he did this for the benefit of man, not as a merciless killer. He also gave the space of 120 years for people to repent, but no one listened. But let’s not forget that some giants got wiped out in that flood. Remember, though, Satan’s mighty men are not just giants.

Babel

After the flood, God commanded Noah and his sons to replenish the earth by multiplying, and that’s what they did. One of the three sons was Ham, and he had a descendant named Nimrod. Interestingly enough, the Bible says that Nimrod “began to be a mighty one in the earth” (Genesis 10:8). The next verse says that he was “a mighty hunter before the Lord.” That doesn’t mean he hunted with the Lord. “Before,” in that verse, means to the face, as in opposition. He had a kingdom, and it was in Shinar. Shinar is an important location in the Bible. Keep that in mind. For one, this is the land where they attempted to build the tower of Babel and reach heaven on their own, and God had to come down and confound their language.

Shinar

Time passed, and God called Abram (Abraham) out of the Chaldees. He had a colorful journey, including a trip to Egypt where he messed up significantly, and he ended up in Canaan. He and his nephew, Lot, had some trouble, so he gave Lot his choice of the land. Lot chose the plain of Jordan, with Sodom and Gomorrah to boot. The very next chapter is extremely interesting. Four kings (one of which was the king of Shinar) go to war with five kings. And who do they fight against? The Rephaims. Comparing scripture with scripture, a quick study shows that these were a race of giants, and they appear when Abraham (patriarch of the nation of Israel) had come into the land God chose for him.

The Promised Land

Fast forward past many battles and circumstances (plenty of which included run-ins with giants), and the nation of Israel is in bondage in Egypt. They cry out to God, and he sends Moses to deliver them. They come out of Egypt after God’s great triumph over Pharoah, and they travel through Sinai. Before they go into the Promised Land (Canaan), they send out spies. The land is exactly what God said it would be, but ten of the twelve spies sent by Joshua return with an evil report. What did they report? There are giants in the land. This is the nation of Israel (the chosen nation that God intends to bring forth the redeeming seed through) about to go into the land God has chosen, and giants are in the way.

And so they murmur and complain, they are fearful, and God tells them that they will now have to wander in the desert for forty years, and their children will get to go instead of them. Time passes, and the new generation goes into Canaan. Guess who they had to fight? The same giants. There’s no way around it: Satan’s mighty men show up when God is making moves to bring forth the promised seed, the seed that will become a man and crush Satan under his foot.

After David is crowned king

Saul was king, but he rebelled against God and was removed, so God sent Samuel to anoint a new king: David. The very next chapter there is a war between Israel and the Philistines, and the Philistines send? That’s right. A giant. David, the king whose descendants will be the line that brings forth that promised seed, fights that giant.

Before David purchased the threshing floor

David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God told him he wouldn’t. David was a man of war, but his son would have a reign of peace. David went about gathering materials, but it’s interesting when you think about what happened for him to gain the location for where the temple would be built. The circumstances leading up to the purchase are incredible, really.

David fights a battle...against four more giants! (2 Samuel 21)

There’s a whole chapter all about David’s mighty men and their exploits (2 Samuel 23)

David numbers the people and causes a pestilence that kills thousands (2 Samuel 24). The significance of that particular incident is that 1 Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan himself led David to number the people, which is what brought on the anger of the Lord. Hmm, a temple is going to be built, and David is about to purchase the land it will be set upon. That temple will be the very spot where Jesus is brought to be condemned to die. Speaking of Jesus…

At the birth of Christ

When Jesus was born, wise men came from the east. They came to Herod, the king in Jerusalem under Roman authority at the time. They were looking for the child, Jesus. Herod found out about him, asked the Bible scholars of his time what that was all about, and they told him, basically, that the real king was about to show up. Herod’s response was to slaughter all of the children under two years of age. Prior to this, God sent word to Joseph to get out of there and go down into Egypt until the threat had passed.

“Well, Chad, that’s not Satan’s mighty men. That’s just a king worried about losing his power.”

Remember the prince of Tyre and the king of Tyre? Remember the unseen war of the princes going on behind the scenes? They’re called the princes of particular nations for a reason. King Herod may have been a jealous king, but don’t think for a second he wasn’t influenced by a certain serpent who was worried about a certain seed coming forth to end his party.

After Jesus’s baptism

It has always been interesting to me that, as soon as Jesus was manifested to the nation of Israel, he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by none other than Satan himself. Here comes the Prince of Peace, and he is being challenged by the Prince of the Power of the Air. And what does Satan do? He tries his best to get the Lord to commit sin. I’m telling you: when you’re aware that Satan and his devils are all through the Bible, it’s almost difficult to miss the amount of references there are.

At the cross when Jesus died

This is where some people may jump ship, but that would actually be a shock, considering the fact that you’ve read this much! If Hollywood is allowed to tell the story (and, unfortunately, it has and continues to do so), we would all believe that the day Jesus died on the cross was just a normal day with a typical Roman crucifixion taking place. Jesus was this very weak, perfect looking guy with some scars. He drags a cross up a hill, it gets cloudy, he suffers for a while, screams, and dies.

Listen to me: That is NOT the way it happened! The Bible tells a very different story. Before he was delivered up by the temple guards, Jesus was grieved so heavily and under such pressure that an angel came and ministered to him (Luke 22:43). When he was on the cross, Jesus was surrounded by the bulls of Bashan (Psalm 22). A study of Bashan traces to...you guessed it: a land of giants. When he died (the Bible says he gave up the ghost), one of the strangest things in the Bible took place, and you’ve probably never heard any preacher spend much (if any) time on this. There was an earthquake, the veil of the temple was torn in two, and then the bible says,

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matthew 27:52-53).

People usually say the next verse, which discusses how the Centurion remarked that Jesus truly was the Son of God, is just because he was impressed by the way the Lord died or something else they make up. No, the supernatural series of events that took place made it clear to that man that a common thief had not just died.

They will appear before Christ’s physical return and reign

(I must give credit to Pastor James Knox, who has preached about this and explains it very well in a messaged titled: “Giants in the Earth”)

The book of Daniel gives so much insight into spiritual warfare and prophecy that it would be impossible to interpret a significant amount of the Bible without it. Once such place is Daniel chapter two, in which King Nebuchadnezzar has a strange dream. In his dream, the king sees an image, shaped like a man. It has a head of gold, arms and chest of silver, stomach and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. Each of these pieces, according to Daniel, represents a kingdom. The head of gold represents Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. Many scholars have gone into detail about the prophecy of this image, so I won’t go into detail here. For our purposes, I will focus on the feet of the image because of what it says about the iron mixed with clay.

“And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men : but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay” (Daniel 2:41-43).

Did you catch that? A “they” is going to mingle with the “seed of men.” Well that’s interesting. Still think that reference in Genesis six is a reference to Cain’s children? I have no idea how you could. Whomever “they” is, “they” are not human.

This may not seem significant, but if you look at the next verse, you may see it in a different light.

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).

That’s right. Before the Lord shows up to set up his reign on earth, Satan will gather his mighty men, once again, to try and stop him. There is a great deal of prophecy to support this. All one has to do is look to the book of Revelation to see that the kings of the east will gather in Armageddon, and the Lord himself will return and crush them beneath his feet (Revelation 19). By the way, THIS is the Supper of the Great God, not to be confused with the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This is when the carrion eaters will feast on the bodies of the Lord’s enemies (not a dinner party you want an invitation to).  

What does this mean for you?The spiritual war is real

While I don’t think you should spend your life hiding from the boogeyman, it would be unwise to convince yourself that there isn’t one. You have a real enemy, and he is walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He has angels. They are corrupt. There are physical angels trapped in chains of darkness in the lower parts of the earth (2 Peter 2:4). Spirits can and have been on this earth (Mark 5, 1 Samuel 28, and many others). This is why it is so important that you are outfitted with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Go here to read more about the meaning of the Armor of God.

God is still in control

Before you run for the hills or panic, remember that, one day, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Yes, there were a lot of devil possessed people when Jesus was walking the earth, but he also cast them out. He transferred that same power to his apostles. I don’t think that this is something we have to deal with in the same way they did during that time, but it was real. Those spirits are still real. In 1 Kings 22, God sent out a lying spirit to convince the king to take action. Granted, there’s an entire blog post worth of material there, but the idea we’re focused on is that God commanded the spirits.

You are not powerless

Jesus spent a lot of time praying. His disciples asked him to teach them to pray. When they failed, it was usually a lack of prayer. God opened the door for the gentiles to be saved when he sent Peter to Cornelius, but never forget that he called to Peter while he was praying. Paul spent a lot of time in prayer, and he frequently admonished the churches to pray. Prayer is your free access to the Creator of the universe. It’s how you tell him your needs. It’s also a weapon against the attacks of the enemy.

Of course, prayer may not always be enough. In fact, there was a time when the disciples were not able to cast a devil out of a child. Jesus came and dismissed the spirit. When his disciples asked why they were not successful, the Lord told them that there are some spirits that can only be cast out through prayer and fasting. Many Bibles have failed to include references to fasting. This is removing a weapon from your arsenal, and it’s one of the reasons I know that Satan has his hands in corrupting the word of God. Know this: In order to fight the spiritual battles, you need all of the weapons.

The warfare is real. The question is: Will you do as author Cliff Graham says and “do good battle?”

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You are being followed

This post was originally from my weekly devotional, Starlight Reflections.

Thinking that someone is following you is a terrifying experience, isn't it? You feel vulnerable. Exposed. Unsure of what to do or how to handle it. Ironically, though none of us want anyone to follow us in that manner, our society is geared toward gaining followers. We thrive on likes, shares, retweets, mentions, and on and on. But do we really know what it means to be followed? Do we know what it means to follow someone? 

In the last month, I've gained over a hundred new followers on social media: strangers that are able to see everything I post. They've seen pictures of me. They've been able to go to my website and learn about me. Some of them have purchased or downloaded my books. They've read my words. So, like it or not, I'm exposed. I'm vulnerable. But my fear is not for my safety. My fear is whether I'm worth following, or if the person who wrote those books is a fraud. I try to be honest and sincere, I really do. I wrote The Gadarene as a means of helping people to have strong faith. Do I have strong faith? I wrote Through the Needle as a means of helping people overcome their past to pursue the calling God has placed on them. Have I overcome my past? Am I pursuing the calling God has placed on me? I wrote Fate of the Watchman to convince people to have compassion on others. Do I have compassion on others? 

“There. I said it. I admitted it. Are you disappointed?”

Where am I going, and who is following me on that path? That two-part question is one we should all ask ourselves. Personally, I don't know if I want to answer it. Here's what I know: the world I live in is desperately in need of Jesus, and yet I very rarely share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people. There. I said it. I admitted it. Are you disappointed? I have worked with people--at my current job and at my former places of employment--for years and have never so much as handed them a gospel tract or invited them to church, let alone gave them the gospel. Yet, I write books about people with great faith. Yet, I wrote a book about a man who sees the suffering of the world and realizes how selfish and willfully blind to the needs of others he is. I profess to believe that a place called Hell is real, but I don't sound the warning to the lost and unsaved. I read my Bible most days of the week, but I don't spend much time meditating on the word. I desire answers to prayer, but I don't pray nearly as often as I should. 

“The nature of my flesh and the nature of my spirit are enemies.”

I'm not telling you all of this for pity. I'm just being real. If someone is following you, where are you leading them? I want people to meet the Savior. I want those who've met the Savior to trust him more. The book I'm currently writing deals with spiritual warfare and the power of prayer. My warfare is no different than that of anyone else. The nature of my flesh and the nature of my spirit are enemies. My flesh wants a life of comfort. My spirit desires to live a life pleasing to the Lord. My flesh fears that because it knows "...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). My spirit wants to count it all joy when I suffer for the name of Christ. So when I think about losing my temper, gossiping, laughing at or saying inappropriate things in front of the lost, I am ashamed because I know I'm not leading my followers down the right path. Am I saying this so that you'll feel sorry for me? No. I'm saying this because it's time for me to look behind me and realize that there is a following, and I have a responsibility to be like Paul when he said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). I also say these things in hope that you'll pray for me. Pray that I do become a better witness for Christ and a more devoted follower of my Lord and Savior.  

I also say these things to YOU because YOU have a following. Where are you leading the people in your life?