NOTE: Many have asked why I’ve been so vocal lately about the divine council, gods, and spiritual warfare. This article will share some of the motivations behind my focus on this aspect of our faith. My goal is to encourage you to explore this topic further as a vital part of your faith in the Kingdom.
Are We In Danger?
Many conservative Christians acknowledge the existence of Satan and demons to some degree. However, the perceived danger they pose to their lives seems minimal, requiring little effort to stay protected. It's similar to having a fire extinguisher in the garage—you know it's there, but you don’t expect to need it often. Although certain Bible verses caution against Satan, some may question: "If he were truly a significant threat, wouldn't we all be more alert and better equipped to face him?"
I believe this casual attitude toward spiritual warfare is driven by the widespread misconception that focusing too much on the demonic realm is dangerous. The concern is that excessive attention to this topic can become overwhelming and harmful, possibly leading someone toward darkness. Many feel it’s safer to avoid these issues altogether. As some Christians put it, “I already struggle with my sinful nature and don’t see the need to attribute more influence to Satan.”
But that’s just the thing: the spiritual battle described in the Bible doesn’t suggest that Satan only attacks if we go looking for him or that we’re safe as long as we manage our fleshly struggles. Scripture portrays spiritual warfare as an integral part of the Christian life, not an optional or secondary concern.
Deliverance from Evil?
Have you ever reflected on the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:13? Jesus teaches us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” This simple yet profound request reveals something crucial about our involvement with the spiritual realm. Jesus urges us to daily ask the Father for deliverance from the power of Satan. That’s a far cry from how many of us approach the Christian life. Have you ever considered what might happen if we neglect to pray this?
Paul echoes this urgency in Ephesians 6:10–20, where he emphasizes that even Christians, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. He commands us to stand firm in the strength of the Lord by putting on the full armor of God. But what happens if we fail to stand where we should? What if we neglect to equip ourselves with that armor? Paul offers a sobering reminder in Ephesians 6:12:
“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.”
Think about that for a moment—“cosmic powers” and “spiritual forces” waging war against us. How do we even begin to comprehend such a reality? Suddenly, Jesus’ prayer feels all the more vital.
Paul further describes this evil as a “domain of darkness” from which believers have been rescued (Colossians 1:13). Yet, even as we are freed, we find ourselves engaged in a battle against it. Thankfully, God not only equips us with armor but also provides us with powerful weapons. Paul explains that these weapons have “divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). When proclaimed, the gospel carries this divine power—breaking Satan’s chains and bringing life to those who are spiritually dead.
It’s no wonder that the domain of darkness works so hard to silence us and make us ignore its presence. If we fail to recognize the battle or refuse to take up the fight, the forces of darkness remain free to keep sinners in bondage. But through Christ, we are called to stand, speak, and wield the power of the gospel to set captives free.
Isn't God Sovereign?
“But Jon, Jesus is sovereign and in control—so why are you so concerned about Satan and his schemes?” Because God’s Word is my guide. In it, He warns me about Satan, equips me with protection, and gives me weapons to advance His Kingdom and destroy the works of the enemy. Scripture takes this battle seriously, and so should we.
Peter, for example, cautions believers about the dangers they face as they seek to advance God’s Kingdom:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
This warning wasn’t directed at unbelievers but at the church. Have you ever stopped to think about Peter’s imagery here? What does it mean to be “devoured”? I don’t believe Peter is suggesting that Christians can lose their salvation. Instead, he seems deeply concerned about the church falling under the influence of their fleshly desires—temptations that Satan actively stirs.
This isn’t about living in fear of Satan, but about recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare and responding with the vigilance and strength that God provides.
The Bible is written as a story, but it’s not about you. The central figure of this story is the Son of God, who rescues sinful, rebellious humans from their slavery in the kingdom of darkness and transforms them into holy citizens by His own merits. It’s a story of light triumphing over darkness through sacrifice, love, and forgiveness.
This story isn’t finished yet—the final chapter is still to come. It will conclude with the return of the Son, the King of the universe, who will gather His people into their eternal kingdom. For the kingdom of darkness, this event will mark their judgment day. Satan and his forces will face the consequences for all the crimes they’ve committed against the King and His Kingdom.
Until that day, Satan is at war with King Jesus, determined to fight relentlessly, even as his defeat is certain. This ongoing conflict is part of the larger story, and every believer is called to stand with their King in this battle.
Reading with Spiritual Eyes
This is the part of the story that many Christians seem to overlook. Satan enters the scene as early as chapter three of the Bible, and from that moment on, he becomes humanity’s enemy. His power far exceeds human capabilities, and his influence to deceive is unparalleled. Yet, we are called to fight back against his kingdom, working to rescue God’s people from the strongholds of Satan.
But how is this done? What does it look like in practice? To fully answer these questions, we need to reintroduce some characters into the story—figures who can help us fill in gaps in our theology. When we examine Scripture closely, it becomes clear that we’ve often overlooked entire stories, creatures, and powers crucial to understanding the complete picture of redemption.
The goal of future articles will be to explore these overlooked elements and restore them to their rightful place in the story. For example, where did Paul get his list of spiritual beings we wrestle against in Ephesians 6:12? That’s a great question. To begin uncovering the answer, let’s look at the first commandment God gave to His newly redeemed people:
“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
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