The story is told about the beginning of World War I, in which the War Ministry in London dispatched a coded message to a British outpost in a distant part of Africa. The message read: “War declared. Arrest all enemy aliens in your district.” A prompt reply was returned: “Have arrested ten Germans, six Belgians, four Frenchman, two Italians, three Austrians, and an American. Please advise immediately who we are at war with.”
Sometimes it is confusing to know who we are fighting as soldiers of Christ. However, the Bible says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV). Our war is not with people. Our war is with the devil and his evil influence, demonic forces, and wicked schemes. Paul also wrote, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11, NIV).
The devil is scheming. The New Living Bible translates, “stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” The KJV translates, “wiles of the devil.” A “wile” is defined, “a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive” (Webster’s). The devil has formed a strategy to bring you down spiritually. He has a wicked plan to distance you from God, destroy your witness, ruin your marriage, and corrupt your children. He is a liar who has ruined countless lives through deceit.
The power of the devil is not in physical strength or military might, but in deceit, lies, and dangerous philosophies. In describing the coming anti-Christ, Daniel says, “A king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes….Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule” (Daniel 8:23,25, NKJV). The devil destroys through promoting lies that are contrary to God’s Word. He is slick, marketing his corruption in seemingly innocent but engaging ways.
Our present culture has fallen to his deceit and lies. We have walked away from God’s truth and opened the door for evil ideas. Yesterday’s headlines declared that New York City spent $200,000 to bring drag queens into city schools to read, speak, and promote the transgendered life. The Disney Channel proudly promotes June as “Pride” week to celebrate the homosexual lifestyle. Many textbooks still teach evolution as a viable theory for the beginning of life. With slick graphs and colored photos, they try to persuade our children that we started as monkeys and became people over millions and millions of years. There is no need for God when scientists can explain life through evolution. If there is no God, then the Bible is wrong; there are no moral parameters; life has no value; there is no soul; there is no judgment; there is no heaven or hell.
What is the Christian to do? Trust the Bible. Read it to nourish your soul and teach you truth. Stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Speak and live the truth even when it is not popular. Pray for wisdom in this spiritual war.