SPIRITUAL WARFARE - INTRODUCTION IN COLLABORATION WITH TRAVIS BEHARRY
SPIRITUAL WARFARE Section 1.0: Introduction For centuries, mankind has lived in constant fear because of the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring. Perhaps, if only he could find out what is to come to pass, then he can plan ahead to evade any oncoming calamity. This fear that percolates deeper and deeper in the hearts of men, have driven them to dabble with dark arts and spiritism in order to attempt to “predict” their future despite potential dangers.
This concept is certainly not a recent one, but has increased in prevalence because of the advancement of technology and by extension, the influence of mass media and social media on the individual. This dates back to the time of King Saul, who visited the witch of Endor(1 Samuel 28) in the Old Testament, and stretches unto the time of the Apostle Paul, (Acts 16:16-18) and his various encounters while preaching the gospel to the gentiles, in the New Testament. Interestingly, the practice of witchcraft back in the olden times were shunned(1 Samuel 28) and even punishable by death(Exodus 22:18). On the contrary, in modern society, witchcraft and the dark arts are plastered throughout every form of media, ranging from popular music, movies and television shows to social media. How is a drastic change like this even possible? It is that mankind has lost his trust in God to provide for his future?
Is it that the Bible is seen as “outdated” and “uncool”? From the ethnocentric views of Bible believing Christians, witchcraft is still heavily condemned.
Section 1.1:
WHY DO WE BLAME GOD FOR EVERYTHING?
Challenges and trials are inevitable, they happen to the best of us and they sometimes leave us in tears wondering where we went wrong or why is all of this happening. It is so easy to blame God for negative things that happen in our lives and this perhaps, fuel the immense fury that we then direct towards Almighty God. Job was a man who was described by the Bible as being perfect and upright, one who shunned evil(Job 1:1). Surprisingly as we flip through the pages of Job, we learn about all the challenges he faced.
Even when compelled by his wife to curse God and die, (Job 2:9) he refused. It is important to note that firstly, Satan was the one who caused Job’s mishaps but God allowed it occur. God’s character is one where he does not deliberately bring down these things upon us but He allows certain things to occur, to build our character and for us to learn from our mistakes. God is good and every good gift comes from Him(James 1:17). He wants to bless us and would not withhold from us anything that is for our best (Psalm 84:11). The devil is the reason for all the pain that we face in this world. His main objective is to kill, to steal and to destroy(John 10:10). Job knew that God didn’t cause his agony yet it is recorded, “though he slay me, yet will I trust him”(Job 13:15).
He had that measure of faith that even if God had caused all his pain, he still would not have renounced Him as Lord. Eventually, Job's possessions and wealth were restored. Humanity gave Satan dominion over the Earth when our Forefathers, Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit.
Since then, the devil has begun his massacre on the human race and continues to oppress us. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:8 (KJV) The devil knows that his time is short and his ultimate destination is the lake of fire. He aims to destroy lives and condemn them to eternal destruction.
Hence, when we go out and spread the word, he and his forces rise up against us and they fight us with all their might, even going as far as to put our friends/relatives against us, cast sickness upon us, try to destroy our family lives or even try to kill us. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Matt 24:9 (KJV)