Spiritual battles illustrated . . .

Exodus 8; Job 25–26; Luke 11; 1 Corinthians 12

In reading Exodus, I visualize the battle between Moses and Pharaoh as like the battle between a praying Christian and the dark forces of evil. When I pray, I am not trying to persuade God but battling the lies and efforts of a spiritual enemy who holds many of the people in bondage.

There are other images in this Exodus story too. For instance, Moses calls plagues that represent the gods of the Egyptians. In the reading today, the land is overcome with frogs to the point that Pharaoh asks Moses for help. In this, I see how this particular idol worship starts out with the Egyptians in control of what they are worshiping, but after Moses makes the waters fill up with frogs that overflow on the land, the people no longer control what is happening.

Sin is like that. It might start with a few glances at pornography, or a couple of visits to a casino, or a simple lunch with an appealing co-worker. However, if any small twinges of guilt are ignored, sin (whatever it might be) can easily snowball and take over, out of control. At that point, there are only two options. The first is to call out to God for release from sin’s bondage — like Pharaoh first did when the frogs got the best of him. However this man changed his mind once the frogs were gone and did not stay on that path. He took the second choice:

But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:15)

Each time the man of God prayed and the pagan’s god was dealt with, the pagan was glad for relief from the overwhelming control of his sinful idol, but instead of turning to the true God, he hardened his heart.

The battle also is illustrated in the story of Job. This man of faith relies on God for his righteousness and on the Holy Spirit to show him God’s will and any sin that he may have committed. His problem is God’s silence. His friends should have kept silent too, but they became the devil’s advocates by accusing Job of sin that he did not do. This is a tactic the devil takes against all of God’s people. It is bad enough that we fight win we do commit without have vague ideas of guilt thrown at us.

I can related to Job’s comments of defense when one of his ‘friends’ speaks as if he knows what God is doing to Job. After speaking of God’s power, Job adds:

“Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26:14)

With the enemy breathing down my neck to thwart my relationship with Almighty God, I sometimes feel like quitting. However, Jesus urges me to keep at it. He talks about prayer with perseverance, like going to a neighbor for bread at midnight so I can feed a guest. He also promises that God will provide the help needed.

“I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:8–13)

For the war against sin, either my own or sin that others battle, God invites me to pray. He also offers the help of the Holy Spirit who gifts me with want is needed and the Body of Christ who are also fighting alongside me with their God-given gifts. I am not alone.

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:24–26)

Apply: Keep praying; the enemy was defeated at the Cross. Know the difference between the Holy Spirit’s clear conviction and Satan’s vague accusations. Rely on the Holy Spirit. Share my struggles with other warriors; we are in this together and need one another. Amen!