Spiritual Captivity

bound-with-chains-of-the-spirit-and-of-men11Our nation is under spiritual captivity. I was reminded last night that here in Northwest Florida on Memorial Day Weekend, designated to remember our fallen military in times of war, Satan celebrates the highest form of human depravity. On Pensacola Beach, homosexuals celebrate Gay Memorial Day Weekend and rename Pensacola Beach to Sexacola Beach.

We have witnessed in our nation, Democrat lawmakers praying and thanking God for increased governmental abortion funding, making abortions more accessible, and for doctors that murder unborn babies. They celebrate “the blessing of choice,” meaning they are thanking God for being able to choose to kill their unborn baby.

As Christians, we forget that Satan preys on people and although we no longer belong to the devil, born-again believers must remember that Satan is our enemy:

    “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Some will scoff at the thought of a nation being under spiritual captivity, but this battle has been ongoing since Satan and his rebellious army was cast out of heaven. Satan has held dominion over earth since Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden because of their rebellion.

However, Satan knows his time is short and he is unleashing all his forces to defend against Christ’s return to earth. Jesus reminded us that Satan currently rules this world and its system:

    “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” (John 12:31)

Some American Christians scoff at the thought of Satan influencing our nation and the world’s systems; nevertheless Jesus acknowledges Satan’s dominion, albeit temporary. This disbelief or nonchalance towards spiritual captivity only perpetuates it. Christians need to come to understand the level of spiritual warfare we face. We also need to understand that those who reject the gospel do so out of spiritual blindness caused by Satan:

    “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

The good news, the gospel, is that we do not have to continue to live as spiritual captives. Satan has already been defeated, and while he may still rule this world, he has no dominion over Christians should we decide to resist him:

    “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Notice the three-step process in overcoming Satan’s power. We submit to God; resist the devil; the devil leaves us alone. Most Christians put step one behind two and three. Why do you think that is? It is because we still want to rule our world. We will never experience spiritual liberty and victory without first submitting to God:

    “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

It can be exhausting trying to over spiritual captivity, but we must know that our trusting Christ for deliverance will always result in victory. We need to remember that we are not alone in this fight. Spiritual battles are taking place all over this world and we must hold the line where we are:

    “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:9)

We can overcome the devil because he has been overcome. We have all the weapons we need to live a spiritually victorious life.

How do we do that?

We’ll look at that next time…

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2014 David Jeffers

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