Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
Jesus teaches His followers that we are always to be prepared when
Satan comes at us with his accusations. Due to Christ’s suffering, death,
resurrection, and ascension, Satan is indeed judged and he has no power over
Christ’s followers. However, just because Satan is judged, this doesn’t mean
that he will just give up. Satan never gives up.
I have heard it said, “If there is a hell, it is empty.” This
could not be more untrue and this is not Biblical. This is what Satan wants us
to believe. Satan enjoys when we overlook him. But, there he is lurking in the
shadows, as he convinces our sinful flesh to do what is wrong by turning away
from God. There he is as he convinces the world to follow his will, instead of
God’s will.
The Apostle Peter informs us to “be sober-minded; be
watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds
of suffering are being experienced” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Now, Satan
isn’t always noticeable, after all he is the prince of darkness. Satan does his
best work lurking in the shadows.
Jesus often begins His teachings with “Truly, truly, I
say to you.” This means His Word is truth and everything God
speaks is truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). Satan, on the other hand, is all
about confusion and doubt as he constantly asks, “Did God actually
say?” (Genesis 3:1). Satan has never relented from his lies,
despite his eternal judgment.
In my lifetime, I have never seen so much doubt as I see now.
Truth has been replaced by “my truth,” which is actually personal opinion. We
have people announcing their pronouns, as if they are a better judge than God
who created them. We have people doubting their own very being. This is
spiritual warfare. This is Satan working on our consciences as he lurks in the
shadows.
Beginning on Sunday, June 6, for Adult Bible Class, we will begin
a Bible Study on spiritual warfare with the aid of C.S. Lewis’ The
Screwtape Letters. All ages are welcome! This fictional novel provides
unique insight into the battles that we are all facing in the spiritual world.
This book is told through a collection of letters from Screwtape, an
undersecretary of hell, to his nephew, Wormwood, who is a junior devil.
Wormwood’s duty is to lead his first human, a young man, to hell.
For all of us who believe in Christ and have been Baptized into
His death and resurrection, we have a bullseye on us. Satan wants us back from
the triune God, since he is not satisfied with only the current unbelievers and
unrepentant sinners in his camp. So, we must always be ready. We must always be
prepared for Satan’s lies.
So, as the Apostle Paul has said, we must “put on the
whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. 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” (Ephesians
6:11-12).
For everyone in Christ, we have the victory by grace through faith
in Jesus Christ alone. We are saved from the powers of sin, death, and Satan.
Martin Luther was very familiar with spiritual warfare as Satan constantly
tormented him. But Luther always proclaimed that no matter Satan’s attack, our
victory in Christ has been won through Jesus Christ. In A Mighty
Fortress Is Our God, Luther proclaimed:
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our victory has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
In Christ,
Pastor Adelsen
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