The Bible is clear that we face spiritual opposition in our enemy the devil. He opposes us because we belong to Christ. But exactly what do Satan's efforts look like? Although the Bible speaks of his efforts in terms of accusation, temptation and deception, how do those efforts show up in ways we can recognize them?
One way Satan opposes us is through agents of his kingdom, those whom Jesus cites as being of their father the devil (John 8:39-47). Of the Pharisees, who rejected the Christ and taught contrary to what God had revealed in His Word, Jesus says, "You are of your father the devil." He puts that family lineage in practical terms of action, "and your will is to do your father's desires." Jesus speaks of the Pharisees inability to understand. This all comports with teaching elsewhere that those of the kingdom of God, endued with the Holy Spirit can comprehend the things of the Spirit because they now belong to the realm of light and life (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-16) and obey the will of God (Rom. 13:12-14). Paul draws a line between "us" and "them," brothers and not, those with hope and those without hope in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, where those belonging to light and those belonging to darkness manifest different orientations and produce divergent fruit.
Here we find one way that Satan carries out his efforts to oppose us and Christ's church. He works through people, those who are subjects of his fallen kingdom. Paul speaks of being delivered from wicked and evil men in the context of the Lord in His faithfulness guarding us against the evil one (1 Thess. 3:2-3). We might think of Satan using instruments like Judas Iscariot to carry out his desires.
In Acts 13 a man called Elymas the magician opposes Paul and Barnabas, seeking to uproot the seed of faith taken root in through the ministry of the word. Listen to Paul's recriminating words in rebuke of Elymas: "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy" (Acts 13:10). Elymas bore family resemblance to his father the devil and served as a tool for his use against the kingdom of God and His Christ.
The book of Revelation is filled with scenarios in which those who are "earth dwellers" carry out the will of their demonic father, seeking another kingdom, serving a different lord. (e.g., Rev. 3:10; 11:10; 13:8; 14:6). These ones operate as ones dead in sin and are described by Paul in Ephesians 2:1-3, where they walking according to the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, in the spirit of the sons of disobedience.
It is of these from Ephesians 2:1-3 that God called us, made us alive in Christ and enfolded us into an enduring kingdom of righteousness and life. Yet, we too, alive in Christ as we are, can be tools of Satan. We see that with Peter, who one minute is lauded by Christ as the rock upon which Jesus will build His church, and the next is called "Satan" (Matt. 16:16-22). Why the turnaround? It's because in the first instance Peter aligned himself with God and His will. In the the other, he opposed God and His will. Jesus summarizes it for us: "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
As believers, we can walk according to the ways of Satan and be used of him to further his agenda. That's why the New Testament is filled with counsel for us to be alert, discerning, obedient, walking consistent with our new identity in Christ, displaying characteristics of grace through our abiding in Christ. Evidently, with the body of sin that remains in us we feel the tug of temptation all too strongly.
Much of Paul's letter to the Ephesians sorts these things out for us. We are not to allow our anger to be a foothold for Satan into our lives, giving him sway and using us for his kingdom's agenda (Eph. 4:26f.). That puts our grievances and grudges in a whole different light (or lack thereof). We are to be light because we are light. (Eph. 5:8). What does that light look like? Paul tells us: "for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true." Our agenda in this spiritual conflict is "to try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." In other words, our actions reflect whom we belong to and whom we serve.
Designer Footwear
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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." Eph. 6:13-15
The spiritual armor laid out for us by our God to don as we face each day in this present, evil age has to do with putting on Christ that we may find stability in him and strength in his redemptive might that has overcome the devil. Given the admonition multiple times that we "stand" as the sum of our spiritual warfare, that with which our feet are shod draws particular interest. Standing has to do with the reality and exercise of our union with Christ. Paul's "stand" in Ephesians 6 equates with John's "abide" in John 15. Christ is our salvation, our stability, our surety, our strength.
If we tease out the image of the readiness given by the gospel of peace as constituting our footwear, what do we find? Feet support us and give us stability and leverage for our task. Our stand is on Christ, Christ crucified, raised and reigning. We stand with him who has put all things under his feet for his church (Eph. 2:22f.). By canceling the record of our debt that stood against us, setting it aside, nailing it to the cross, Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in himself (Col. 2:13ff.). Because of Christ, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Rom. 16:20). Every aspect of the peace accomplished by Christ fills the gospel and there we position ourselves.
If our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace, it is there we must stand, preaching the gospel to ourselves that Christ might be our all in all. He is our righteousness. He is our deliverance. He is our sustenance. He is our strength and shield.
Feet, however, are not only for standing; they are for ambulation. By our feet we march against the gates of hell, which cannot prevail against us because Christ reigns and his kingdom advances. Even in chains, captive in prison, Paul enjoins prayer for the the advance of the gospel (Eph. 6:18ff.). To the Philippians Paul gives assurance that his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel (Phil. 1:12ff.). Though Paul may be shackled, the gospel is not. The shoes of the gospel of peace we share as spiritual armor with Paul enable us and engage us wherever we tread. Some wear athletic sneakers for casual dress. However, the footwear of the soldier of Christ is not for lounging but for action. That it is deemed a "readiness given by the gospel of peace" implies preparedness and expectation.
If our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace, it is for the cause of the gospel, with the calling as its heralds, we must go. We enter our life-spheres as recipients of gospel grace and we must proclaim that good news of deliverance to those the Spirit of Christ gives us opportunity, that they too, by God's grace, may know peace with God and the peace of God.
Standing and marching--the shoes we put on for the comings and goings of daily life are intended for both as we stand firm in Christ and step out for him whom we serve.
The spiritual armor laid out for us by our God to don as we face each day in this present, evil age has to do with putting on Christ that we may find stability in him and strength in his redemptive might that has overcome the devil. Given the admonition multiple times that we "stand" as the sum of our spiritual warfare, that with which our feet are shod draws particular interest. Standing has to do with the reality and exercise of our union with Christ. Paul's "stand" in Ephesians 6 equates with John's "abide" in John 15. Christ is our salvation, our stability, our surety, our strength.
If we tease out the image of the readiness given by the gospel of peace as constituting our footwear, what do we find? Feet support us and give us stability and leverage for our task. Our stand is on Christ, Christ crucified, raised and reigning. We stand with him who has put all things under his feet for his church (Eph. 2:22f.). By canceling the record of our debt that stood against us, setting it aside, nailing it to the cross, Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in himself (Col. 2:13ff.). Because of Christ, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Rom. 16:20). Every aspect of the peace accomplished by Christ fills the gospel and there we position ourselves.
If our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace, it is there we must stand, preaching the gospel to ourselves that Christ might be our all in all. He is our righteousness. He is our deliverance. He is our sustenance. He is our strength and shield.
Feet, however, are not only for standing; they are for ambulation. By our feet we march against the gates of hell, which cannot prevail against us because Christ reigns and his kingdom advances. Even in chains, captive in prison, Paul enjoins prayer for the the advance of the gospel (Eph. 6:18ff.). To the Philippians Paul gives assurance that his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel (Phil. 1:12ff.). Though Paul may be shackled, the gospel is not. The shoes of the gospel of peace we share as spiritual armor with Paul enable us and engage us wherever we tread. Some wear athletic sneakers for casual dress. However, the footwear of the soldier of Christ is not for lounging but for action. That it is deemed a "readiness given by the gospel of peace" implies preparedness and expectation.
If our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace, it is for the cause of the gospel, with the calling as its heralds, we must go. We enter our life-spheres as recipients of gospel grace and we must proclaim that good news of deliverance to those the Spirit of Christ gives us opportunity, that they too, by God's grace, may know peace with God and the peace of God.
Standing and marching--the shoes we put on for the comings and goings of daily life are intended for both as we stand firm in Christ and step out for him whom we serve.
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