We're Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

by: Gary L. Hutchens

​   We are presently engaged in a deadly war.  Many people might relate to that statement from the perspective of the Covid19 pandemic the world is presently struggling through.  The virus has been described as an invisible enemy.  While an apt representation, this pandemic is a secondary war being fought in the background of a far greater, more deadly war, a war for our very souls against a much more formidable invisible enemy.  We’re engaged in spiritual warfare right now against the devil himself!

​   The devil is our deadliest, most determined and relentless enemy.  The Apostle Peter described him thus: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8).  The word “adversary” identifies the devil as our enemy, one who stands against us.  The description of him as “a roaring lion” is meant to impress upon us how dangerous he is to us.  The idea of his “walking about” conveys the message that he is always on the prowl.
   The devil’s purpose comes across clearly in the words “seeking whom he may devour.”   His goal is our destruction.  Not primarily our physical destruction but our eternal spiritual destruction.  Satan wants to pull us away from God and lead us into the eternal condemnation of Hell.
   Peter’s exhortation to “Be sober” is urgent advice for us to maintain self-control.  His further instruction to “be vigilant” warns us to always be alert, diligently on guard against any devices the devil might use to bring us down.
   Now, how is the spiritual warfare the devil is waging against us connected to the Covid19 pandemic that has swept around the world?  The devil is skillful at looking for any weakness, any opportunity, any open door to wedge his way into a person’s thinking.  Make no mistake, he is working mightily through this pandemic.  People are experiencing fear, anxiety, panic and frustration such as never before.  The devil knows full well how to take advantage of those negative emotions to try to weaken people’s faith in, and dedication to, God.
   This is not to minimize the seriousness of Covid19.  Any illness that results in the deaths of many hundreds of thousands, perhaps eventually millions, of victims is not to be taken lightly in the slightest.  However, let’s put matters into perspective.  The worst that can happen as a result of being infected with the Covid19 virus is physical death.  What the devil is trying to bring about is our spiritual death, resulting in eternal condemnation and punishment in Hell.  That far surpasses the terribleness of physical death; there’s no comparison between the two.
   We pray for God’s deliverance from this pandemic.  But don’t lose sight of the greater conflict.  Don’t let your guard down.  Be on guard, be ever alert, because the devil is your greatest enemy, and he’s looking for any opening to get into your life and bring you down. “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Pet. 5:9)…