First, they don’t know everything. Satan isn’t God. He isn’t a god or a demi-god of some kind. He’s a created being with finite intelligence. He doesn’t know everything about every person, but I think he enjoys it when we superstitiously assume he’s in God’s class in this area.
Second, they do study people. To translate it literally, the demon speaking said, “Jesus, I know by personal experience… Paul, I know by studying and observing… ”
Here’s the somewhat creepy truth we need to realize… When you pursue God’s purposes and determine to influence the world for the gospel’s sake, you become a subject of study among the demons.
You’re a threat when you’re praying, walking in the Spirit and sharing your faith. You’re worth observing when you are making a real difference.
When you lead and influence people within the kingdom, the struggle becomes especially real. It isn’t that you’re special or more important. We’re all on equal footing and there is no value differential in the kingdom between what we’ve come to think of as “clergy” and “laity.” All of the members of the body of Christ are equal in value and worth.
But when you lead, teach and influence, you’re threatening the boundaries of hell’s territory. And there, the Spiritual warfare and small groups response will be fierce!
So what do you do?
You do exactly what you would advise every other believer to do with answers informed by God’s Word.
You suit up in the armor of God every day.
You stay in a state of repentance and humble dependence upon God.
You pray continually.
You sharpen your sword by studying the Word.
And you claim the victory that is yours in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Don’t be skeptical about spiritual warfare and small groups. Don’t be superstitious. Just be ready.
This article on spiritual warfare and small groups originally appeared here.
