"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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 12:7-9)
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
These words are written to us to remind us that there is more going on wherever there is evil, than easily meets the eye. Evil appears to be made of flesh and blood, but the origin of evil is not flesh and blood, but a once angelic, now demonic being by the name of Satan and all of his co-horts (1/3 of the angels who followed him. We are to remember who it is we are "wrestling" with. We are not to ignore them. We are not to worship them. But we must be aware of them, so that we won't forget that our battle is not with man, but with the demonic forces that lead men to do evil. Let's explore what Paul calls "principalities and powers."
Principalities: G746* arche: beginning, origin, the leader, the first place, principality, rule magistracy of angels and demons.
Powers: G1849* exousia: power of authority, power of rule or government, one who possesses authority, power by rights, jurisdiction.
"...and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15)
"For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (Colossians 1:16)
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold widsom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:10-12)
Because of the triumph of Jesus Christ over Satan, those who trust in Jesus have been given power OVER Satan and his co-horts, power to STAND "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
"And the seventy reurned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto the, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20)
On the one hand, we are given power to trample the enemy; on the other hand, we are told not to speak evil of any man, to be gentle, even to be subject to prinicipalites and powers of this world.
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." (Titus 3: 1-2)
There are two reasons for this warning:
The primary reason being that when we battle against the men of this world who have been given power, that power is ordained by God Himself, and so our battle ends up being against God:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1)
The second reason was supplied near the beginning of this post:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
If we speak evil of one another, or of any man at all, we are taking our focus off of the truth that God's Word declares clearly for us (that our battle is not with flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness. And when our eyes are off the truth, then truth cannot prevail in the lives of those we are speaking evil against, who desparately need to know the Lord. We lose our opportunity to be the ministers of reconciliation we have been called to be.
We are never to forget that there is "spiritual" wickedness going on.
We are never to forget that flesh and blood men and women are influenced by this spiritual wickedness.
We are never to speak evil against those flesh and blood men and women, even if they do evil against us or others.
We are always to be the light in that darkness, pointing the way with meekness and gentleness, to the One who has freed us from the powers of this world: Jesus Christ.
A good thing to remember in this election season. A good thing to remember every day of the year.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
These words are written to us to remind us that there is more going on wherever there is evil, than easily meets the eye. Evil appears to be made of flesh and blood, but the origin of evil is not flesh and blood, but a once angelic, now demonic being by the name of Satan and all of his co-horts (1/3 of the angels who followed him. We are to remember who it is we are "wrestling" with. We are not to ignore them. We are not to worship them. But we must be aware of them, so that we won't forget that our battle is not with man, but with the demonic forces that lead men to do evil. Let's explore what Paul calls "principalities and powers."
Principalities: G746* arche: beginning, origin, the leader, the first place, principality, rule magistracy of angels and demons.
Powers: G1849* exousia: power of authority, power of rule or government, one who possesses authority, power by rights, jurisdiction.
(*Strong's Concordance reference number)
Thus, a principality is the leader, prince, magistrate, ruler and power is that which possesses the authority, having been given the right to be in a place of power or authority.
Satan, the devil, was cast out of the heavenlies and onto the planet (earth) where he was to reign as principality and power, having been handed the authority over earth by Adam when he disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit. Satan's authority on earth continued until the time appointed by the Father during which Jesus overcame Satan by His perfect obedience to the Father, and by His sacrificial offering of His own life as the atonement for our sins before the most Holy and High God.
"...and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15)
"For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (Colossians 1:16)
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold widsom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:10-12)
Because of the triumph of Jesus Christ over Satan, those who trust in Jesus have been given power OVER Satan and his co-horts, power to STAND "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
"And the seventy reurned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto the, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20)
On the one hand, we are given power to trample the enemy; on the other hand, we are told not to speak evil of any man, to be gentle, even to be subject to prinicipalites and powers of this world.
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." (Titus 3: 1-2)
There are two reasons for this warning:
The primary reason being that when we battle against the men of this world who have been given power, that power is ordained by God Himself, and so our battle ends up being against God:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1)
The second reason was supplied near the beginning of this post:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
If we speak evil of one another, or of any man at all, we are taking our focus off of the truth that God's Word declares clearly for us (that our battle is not with flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness. And when our eyes are off the truth, then truth cannot prevail in the lives of those we are speaking evil against, who desparately need to know the Lord. We lose our opportunity to be the ministers of reconciliation we have been called to be.
We are never to forget that there is "spiritual" wickedness going on.
We are never to forget that flesh and blood men and women are influenced by this spiritual wickedness.
We are never to speak evil against those flesh and blood men and women, even if they do evil against us or others.
We are always to be the light in that darkness, pointing the way with meekness and gentleness, to the One who has freed us from the powers of this world: Jesus Christ.
A good thing to remember in this election season. A good thing to remember every day of the year.
1 comment:
I am at a loss of words after the events of yesterday and last night - - speechless and amazed at the outcome. I know we are to pray for our government and fellow man, but it is going to be extremely tough to do. I can only pray right now a verse from Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord: he turns it wherever he will.” I pray that God will turn the hearts of our President and Congress - - turn their hearts towards God and to seek his advise instead of their will and desires. GW
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