It is naive to think angels and demons are disconnected from our daily lives. There is an abundant thread from the God Story which indicates a different reality. It is also important to keep two things in mind as we consider spiritual warfare. Jesus IS all-powerfully GOOD. satan is not. The big picture on warfare:
There are three heavens to consider for spiritual activity:
The first is where we live. Here we are infiltrated and pursued by demonic angels and protected by good angels. The second is the realm and dimension of angels. Princes, powers, rulers, wicked spirits…Ephesians 5/Daniel 10. The third heaven is where God IS. 2 Corinthians 12:2
Who Jesus is…Jesus is all about setting people free.
√ He has already bound the strong man. (Matthew 12:22-29)
√ He has come to proclaim freedom. (Isaiah 61; Luke 4)
√ He has already transferred His children out of darkness into His Kingdom. (Colossians 1:12-14)
√ He has disarmed the devil powerless against His chosen ones. (Hebrews 2:14-18)
√ He has destroyed the works of the devil in His children’s lives. (1 John 3:1-10)
√ His Word declares His Lordship over satan and his kingdom. (Ephesians 1:18-23; 1 Peter 3:22)
√ He has defeated the entire kingdom of darkness on our behalf. (Colossians 2:13-15)
√ God promises us victory in spiritual warfare. (Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 10:-5; 1 Peter 5:8-11)
“God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor – sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, and to announce, This is God’s year to act!” – Luke 4:18-19/M
Who satan is…he is all about robbing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10).
√ God works openly, satan by deception.
√ God gives freedom, satan brings captivity.
√ God inhabits His people with His Spirit, satan gives demons.
√ God offers His character, satan offers his.
√ God can be trusted, satan cannot.
√ God gives genuine truth, satan brings doctrines of demons.
√ God is unlimited, satan is not.
√ We give God or satan the right to work in our lives by our own choice (or inaction).
√ The God world and the angelic world works within the human world through authority structures.
√ Both God and satan are able to provide protection to their children (followers).
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17/NAS
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” – Ephesians 6:10-13
There are big things going on – beyond our understanding – our imaginations!