We established in the previous teaching that we are in a real battle against unseen forces of evil, but what is the nature of that battle? If we have been delivered from 'the power of darkness', as Colossians 1:13 promises, how can the enemy still attack us? What strategy must the kingdom of darkness use against those who are 'in Christ'? What does Paul mean by 'the evil day'?
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This passage has one primary objective:
Eph 6:13, NIV
…that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The passage offers three keys for reaching the objective:
- Recognizing the reality that we are in a real battle against unseen forces of evil
- Being strengthened by the Lord and the power of his might
- Utilizing the full armor provided to us by God
In the last study, we began considering the first of these three keys, specifically that our battle is against an army of spirit beings organized according to rank under Satan’s leadership.
Eph 6:12, ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Derek Prince writes that these ground-level and cosmic-level spirit beings “are united in a ceaseless war against the human race. Under Satan’s domination they work together to inflict on humanity every possible form of harm, deception and torment.”
Today we will follow up
on this theme by considering the nature of the enemy’s strategy against us and
what the Bible refers to as “the evil day.”
These evil forces develop and execute strategies anchored in deception in order to hinder the work of God’s kingdom in and through our lives.
Eph 6:11, ESV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
METHODEIA—crafty scheming with the intent to deceive
2 Cor 11:3, NKJV
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Tim 2:24-26, NKJV And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
2 Cor 10:4-5, ESV
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ….
There seem to be especially intense and deliberate seasons of warfare against individuals, families, churches and ministries called the “evil day.”
Eph 6:13, NKJV Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Luke 4:13, NKJV Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:13, AMP And when the devil had ended every [the complete cycle of] temptation, he [temporarily] left Him [that is, stood off from Him] until another more opportune and favorable time.
1 Peter 5:8-10, NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
