Should We Revile the Devil?
Spiritual Warfare and Reviling the Devil...
Mary Ann Wray
How are we supposed to deal with Heavenly Principalities? What authority do we have over them if at all? What is the sphere of our authority in spiritual warfare? Are we to enter into a shouting match with the devil, rail against him in anger, cast him down verbally? What does the Bible teach about spiritual warfare and how are we as disciples of Christ supposed to deal with spiritual wickedness and darkness?
I've seen and been part of prayer meetings where the big man or woman on the platform begins to address principalities over cities and regions such as: Jezebel, racial strife, poverty, murder, death and other "spiritually wicked" forces. I have to say it never set right with my spirit even though for a while I "participated" in what I now call a spiritual circus.
By the grace and mercy of God, I came to realize these spiritual gymnastics were erroneous and very dangerous. I sought the Lord about it and this is what He showed me in Scripture...
1. Our spiritual weaponry and victory is to deliver men from Satan's dominion, not get the devil out of the Heavenly realm. Nor are we called to build up our own kingdoms and dominion on the earth. To that end the dominion God has given to us is accomplished through proclaiming the truth of Scripture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These principalities, rulers and powers of darkness in high places are Satanic spiritual forces that affect men's reasoning, philosophies, ideologies and theology. Therefore, the only way to refute them is through proclaiming the Word of God.
2. It is not man's place to "dethrone"principalities and powers. We are made a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8: 5 & Hebrews 2: 7-9). Even Michael the archangel did not rail against Satan disputing over the bones of Moses (Jude 9). The Heavenly realm and its Dominion belongs to God and the archangels. The earth He has given to man but in limited authority until His return (Psalm 115: 16). Our authority and dominion is given by Christ to proclaim the everlasting gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead to newness of Life in Christ (Matthew 10: 8-10). We will rule and reign with him a thousand years on the earth when the old Heavens and the old earth pass away, not before. (Revelation 20: 4; Revelation 21: 1). For these scriptural reasons, I have a problem with Present Day Dominionism Doctrine/ Theology.
Paul acknowledged spiritual strongholds, spiritual warfare and spiritual armor...
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you 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. 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. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Ephesians 6: 10-20
3. To address wicked spiritual principalities directly is like playing with fire and can have the opposite effect than what people are aiming for. They unwittingly (perhaps some wittingly) are entering into the error of Balaam by doing so. They are spiritual trespassers and are rife with deception. Boasters, heady, greedy for gain and influence they will stop at nothing to gain the advantage over God's elect if they can by flaunting supposed spiritual prowess over the enemy. Whether they realize it or not, the devil's got them by the nap of the neck and using them as his puppets to deceive God's people-the very elect if possible.
"Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,f while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness."
2 Peter 2: 10-16
Saints, know your authority, but humbly know your place-that's all!
Here's a perfect example in a clip sent to me by my good friend Everett Gagnon...this young man in the video explains it very well.
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