Yesterday we talked about the ideal state in which we can exist, despite what is going on in the world around us. The truth is that we don’t normally live in a state of Shalom as much as we would like. There is a reason for that and it boils down to some simple facts about understanding the context of our lives and the reality of our adversary. So today, I want to talk about that context and our adversary.
If we live in a world where its people can be considered shrewder than believers (Luke 16:8) and we want to maximize our potential (1 Corinthians 9:24) we should understand what we are up against by becoming versed on those tactics. Common sense directs us to learn through Biblical, extra-biblical and secular literature to become all The Father has in mind for us. Since we have established that one is called by God to be a warrior in the same way that one may be called to be a pastor, we will begin with an examination of secular war and refer to the book that started this discussion last week – The Art of War by Sun-Tzu. Some of its key principles were:
- You must know your enemy well. This requires research and study.
- You must know and respect your enemy’s abilities.
- You must know how your enemy thinks and what strategies he employs.
- You must be prepared to face your enemy with a plan for success.
Now let’s use these proven tactics for successful warfare against our enemy, Satan. He was the first angel created (Gospel of Bartholomew) by Jesus (Colossians 1:16) long before the creation of the Earth (Job 38:4 – 7) He was probably created as an Archangel at the same time as Michael. However, Satan is a fallen angel who no longer regularly appears at the throne of God.
Archangels seem to be entrusted with the care of certain groups of people, including the offering of their saints’ prayers to The Father and management of specific people on earth and spirits throughout the heavenly realm. As ruler of the wicked spirits, he either quickly adopted their rebellious and sinful mentality or was the source of it. This is true of anyone who has the freedom of choice and is continuously exposed to sin (except for Christ). Since he had authority over them, rationalization probably set in and he said “why shouldn’t I rule over everything?” That mentality was the natural progression in a sinful greedy heart. When the Father saw his change of heart, it became the reason to cast him and a third of the angels out of Heaven to earth. If this is true, it also explains how and what Satan was doing when the meeting of angels occurred in Job 1:6–7.
As an Archangel, Satan was, and remains, influential and persuasive. He still carries the power and prestige necessary to maintain a position we might call the “Chief Prosecutor of Heaven.” Additionally, we know he supervises a large contingency of angels who are collectively opposed to The Trinity. Even though the rebellion he led against God was squelched by Michael and his angels, Satan remains daunting. We also know Michael would not even bring a “slanderous accusation” against Satan, even after he had defeated him in battle. (Jude 1:9) Michael left Satan to God because of his inferiority to God. Thankfully, we all know that Satan is no match for The Father. Most importantly, Satan and his fallen angels may only perform their dirty deeds with the permission of The Father, to whom they are entirely subservient. That should remind you of previous discussions that what “Satan means for temptation; God means for a test.” Tomorrow we will address a few more issues about this “oppressor” with whom we are at war and identify a better path to Shalom.
Love Dad