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The Scriptures warn us not to be ignorant of Satan’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11), shedding light on the deceptive tactics the enemy employs to deceive and accuse believers. Ephesians 2:1–5 emphasizes our former state of spiritual death and bondage to sin, contrasting it with the transformative power of God’s grace that makes us alive in Christ.
The first revelation from these verses is that, prior to encountering Christ, we were all spiritually dead, walking according to the dictates of the world and under the influence of the prince of the power of the air. This highlights the reality that those who have not embraced the truth of Christ are still under the sway of demonic forces, blinded to the reality of their spiritual condition which has already been remedied by Christ.
Furthermore, demonic spirits not only deceive those outside of Christ but also attempt to influence and manipulate believers. This brings us to a crucial aspect of our Christian journey: recognizing and rejecting the lies and influences of the enemy. It’s essential to understand that not all thoughts originate from within us; evil spirits often plant deceptive thoughts and try to convince us that they are our own.
The pivotal truth to grasp in this spiritual battle is that believers are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Despite the enemy’s attempts to deceive us into believing otherwise, our old nature has been crucified with Christ, and we have been made alive in Him. However, many believers struggle unnecessarily because they fail to realize that their battle is not against their old nature but against the lies and temptations of the enemy.
Religion often condemns practices like necromancy, which involve communicating with the dead, yet paradoxically, it promotes a similar approach when it comes to our own selves. What I mean by this is that in Christianity, believers are taught that they are new creations in Christ, and their old sinful nature has been crucified with Him. Despite this truth, many religious teachings focus heavily on self-improvement and striving to overcome our own weaknesses and flaws.
Ephesians 6 reminds us that our struggle is not against other people or even against ourselves in the sense of our old nature, but rather against spiritual forces of darkness. Religion tends to keep believers preoccupied with their own shortcomings and the constant pursuit of self-improvement, rather than directing their focus towards the finished work of Christ.
Instead of being consumed by efforts to better ourselves, we should focus on renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with the truth of what Christ has already accomplished in us and for us. This involves understanding and embracing our identity in Christ and living in the freedom and victory that He has secured for us through His death and resurrection.
It’s crucial to embrace the reality of our identity in Christ and reject the notion that we are still slaves to sin. Sanctification is not a lifelong process of purging and purification but a present reality for believers. We are set apart for God through our union with Christ, who dwells within us in fullness.
Condemnation, propagated by the enemy, seeks to convince us that our actions define our identity. However, conviction, stemming from the Holy Spirit, reminds us of our true identity as sons and daughters of God and calls us to align our behavior accordingly. By rejecting condemnation and embracing our identity in Christ, we can experience true freedom and joy.
In conclusion, our battle is not against ourselves but against the lies and accusations of the enemy. We must arm ourselves with the truth of God’s Word and firmly reject the enemy’s attempts to deceive and condemn us. By understanding our identity in Christ and standing firm in His finished work, we can overcome the enemy’s schemes and walk in victory in life and help bring freedom to others.