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2 Corinthians 6:7 (TPT)-We commend ourselves to you by our truthful teachings, by the power of God working through us, and with the mighty weapons of righteousness—a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.
I remember baptizing James (not his real name) several years ago who later told me that he was hearing a voice scream at him when I would stand up to preach. He was very clear that this voice was even louder then I am (anyone who has ever heard me preach knows what an accomplishment that is). Believing that he was struggling with mental illness or physical malady, I encouraged him to seek medical intervention. He got a clean bill of health! Things then took a turn for the even more bizarre when the “voice” began telling him things about myself. Examples included incidents from my childhood (where I had lived, people I had gone to school with, and other things which no one else knew of).
Yes, I was getting a little bit freaked out.
Contacting a sister in Christ, I asked her to have a day of prayer and fasting with me on his behalf (as Jesus teaches in Mark 9:29). We agreed not to tell anyone we were doing this-not even James-and that Saturday, we prayed and fasted for him. That next day, he approached me at church and was more animated then I had seen him in a long time.
James told me, “Brother Mark, do you remember that demon?! It’s gone! It told me last night he was being cast out, and then he left!” It was then that I informed him that my friend and I had prayed and fasted for him, and we gave all glory to God.
This is a reminder to me of how the Bible teaches that spiritual warfare is something that is ongoing throughout the Christian dispensation, and will continue until the Second Coming of Jesus. Paul makes this point in Ephesians 6:10-13, where he refers to “the evil day.”
Ephesians 6:10-13-Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Arnold brings much light on the phrase “the evil day:”
“Paul envisions the potentiality of demonic assault as taking place on “the evil day” (ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πονηρᾷ). But what does he mean by the singular “day”? Some have associated it with the events immediately preceding “the day of the Lord,” which include the coming of “the man of lawlessness,” a great apostasy, and host of trials expressed by the metaphor of the intensifying messianic birth pangs.27 Others see the evil day as merely one of the many “evil days” (5:16) that are typical of the present age.28 Still other interpreters find no eschatological overtones in the expression and contend that it refers to extraordinary trials or intense periods of temptation in the lives of believers when demonic assault appears to come with unusual force.29 The LXX of Psalms uses the expression in this sense when the psalmist declares, “Blessed is the one who considers the poor and needy; the Lord will rescue him on the evil day” (ἐν ἡμέρᾳ πονηρᾷ; Ps 41:1 [40:2], LXX trans.; see also 49:5 [48:6]). These three views, however, are not mutually exclusive.30 There is an element of truth to each of them. Earlier, Paul urged his readers to “make the most of the time because the days are evil” (5:16). Consistent with his apocalyptic Jewish heritage, Paul is convinced that believers live in the present evil age (Gal 1:4; Eph 2:2)—an era characterized by demonic activity and filled with various forms of evil. The difficulties of the present age will only intensify as the coming of the Lord draws close (see 2 Thess 2:1–12; Mark 13:8; Matt 24:8). The final resolution will come only when God intervenes and all of the rebellious powers are brought under the headship of Jesus (1:10). Until that time, Satan and his forces will plot and strategize on how they can oppose God’s redemptive plan, assail the church, and torment the lives of believers. An “evil day” experience comes at various intervals throughout the lives of God’s people when the powers of darkness execute their strategies (μεθοδείαι) in an effort to cause believers to fall. Eadie referred to this as “a time of resolute Satanic assault,”31 and Ellicott spoke of a period of “violent temptation.”32 The apostle Peter experienced this shortly after Jesus warned him, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). On that occasion, Jesus modeled the importance of prayer so that Peter’s faith would not fail (22:32), that is, so he could stand firm. Preparation for the battle does not take place once it begins, but well in advance. With the temporal participle “once you have prepared” (κατεργασάμενοι), Paul indicates that a significant investment of time and effort is expended in becoming well prepared for the inevitable attacks…. Thus, it is better to side with the majority of commentators on this issue and see the participle as expressing the idea of making all necessary preparations before the struggle ensues. 34 In other words, because of the certainty that believers will face concerted demonic attack at various intervals through their lives in the present evil age, it is imperative to grow deeper in a knowledge of God’s gifts and cultivate the practices essential to dependence on the unsurpassed power of God. The goal of the preparation is “to stand” (στῆναι)—to keep from falling into sin and to advance on enemy territory to bring the good news of deliverance to those who are oppressed.” (Clinton E. Arnold, Ephesians: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary On The New Testament, 765-767 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan)
The phrase, “the evil day” shows us that spiritual warfare will continue and increase in the world all the way till the time of the Lord’s Return. We do not need to live in fear of Satan, however, because He who is in us is greater then he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Take some time today and read through Ephesians 6:10-18. Mediate on these questions. Who are we ultimately at war with as Christians? What are some things that we can do to prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare? How does the enemy wage his warfare against us? How can we have victory in “the evil day” through Christ?
Thank You Lord for salvation over Satan and sin. Teach us and continue to deliver us from evil. Amen.