The Battle for Your soul

‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places’ Ephesians 6:12
‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:’ 1Peter 5:8.

It is said that ‘misery loves company’ and this is certainly true with Satan. He is not content to simply exist in defiance of God ‘ he wants to bring as many down with him as he can. As we are nearing the end of time, he is becoming more active. Many people, both Christians and non-Christians, are aware of the fact that we are on the verge of a stupendous crisis about to break out on this earth, but many do not know what it is since they are not seeking answers from God. ‘The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place,–that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.’ PK 536, 537. They think it is a physical battle. They are fighting the war against terror.

The apostle Peter also thought it was a physical battle. He was full of confidence when he said, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.’ Luke 22:33. He was willing to fight. In the Garden of Gethsemane we read of Peter taking up his sword and cutting off the ear of the High Priest?s servant. This is not Jesus’ way. Jesus healed the man and told Peter to ‘Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.’ Matthew 26:52. Not long after this Peter was found denying Jesus vehemently. ‘Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.’ Matthew 26:74, 75. Peter did not understand the true nature of the battle and therefore he was not ready. He was caught off-guard. If he understood the spiritual battle that each person is involved in, he never would have denied Jesus. After his conversion he was a changed man and nothing could shake his faith. When faced with death, we find him sleeping peacefully, chained between two guards (Acts 12:7). He realized that people are not the enemy. It is Satan who is the enemy and people sometimes yield themselves to be controlled by Satan.

Daniel understood the battle. We can read of his reaction when the decree went forth prohibiting prayer to anyone except the king. Although offenders would be thrown to the lion’s den, Daniel was not deterred. He knew it was only Satan. It was a spiritual battle ‘ not a physical one. ‘From the story of Daniel’s deliverance we may learn that in seasons of trial and gloom God’s children should be just what they were when their prospects were bright with hope and their surroundings all that they could desire. Daniel in the lions’ den was the same Daniel who stood before the king as chief among the ministers of state and as a prophet of the Most High. A man whose heart is stayed upon God will be the same in the hour of his greatest trial as he is in prosperity, when the light and favour of God and of man beam upon him. Faith reaches to the unseen, and grasps eternal realities.’ PK 545

Although we are engaged in a spiritual battle, behind the scenes there is a very real battle being engaged. ‘If the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world could be lifted, and the people of God could behold the great controversy that is going on between Christ and holy angels and Satan and his evil hosts concerning the redemption of man; if they could understand the wonderful work of God for the rescue of souls from the bondage of sin, and the constant exercise of His power for their protection from the malice of the evil one, they would be better prepared to withstand the devices of Satan. Their minds would be solemnized in view of the vast extent and importance of the plan of redemption and the greatness of the work before them as colabourers with Christ. They would be humbled, yet encouraged, knowing that all heaven is interested in their salvation.’ 5T 467

JESUS AND ANGELS

Some think that Jesus is far away’ just watching the events unfold on this earth. He created us and stood back and is now watching the battle to see how it plays out. The truth is that all of heaven is taking great interest in the events unfolding on this earth and they are taking an active part. ‘Christ will never abandon those for whom He has died. We may leave Him and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves, and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying quickly to the aid of these tempted ones, forcing back the hosts of evil that encompass them, and placing their feet on the sure foundation. The battles waging between the two armies are as real as those fought by the armies of this world, and on the issue of the spiritual conflict eternal destinies depend.’ PK 175. This illustrates how strongly each of these masters desire your service. You are valuable and important to each one.

We only need to surrender ourselves to Jesus for victory. ‘The LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s.’ 1 Samuel 17:47 ‘The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, ?Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . . . Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.’ Isa. 49:24, 25. DA 258

SATAN

Satan wants to have as many people on his side as possible. ‘I saw evil angels contending for souls, and angels of God resisting them. The conflict was severe. Evil angels were crowding about them, corrupting the atmosphere with their poisonous influence, and stupefying their sensibilities. Holy angels were anxiously watching these souls, and were waiting to drive back Satan’s host. But it is not the work of good angels to control minds against the will of the individuals. If they yield to the enemy, and make no effort to resist him, then the angels of God can do but little more than hold in check the host of Satan, that they should not destroy, until further light be given to those in peril, to move them to arouse and look to heaven for help. Jesus will not commission holy angels to extricate those who make no effort to help themselves.’ MYP 52

‘I was shown that Satan cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. Those who depart from the right are in serious danger now? Those who have tempted the devil to tempt them will have to make desperate efforts to free themselves from his power. When they begin to work for themselves, then angels of God whom they have grieved will come to their rescue. Satan and his angels are unwilling to lose their prey. They contend and battle with the holy angels, and the conflict is severe. And if those who have erred continue to plead, and in deep humility confess their wrongs, angels who excel in strength will prevail and wrench them from the power of the evil angels’. MYP 60

‘When the individual is aroused to his danger, and, with distress and fervour, looks to Jesus for strength, Satan fears he shall lose a captive, and he calls a re-enforcement of his angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around him, that heaven’s light may not reach him. But if the one in danger perseveres, and in helplessness and weakness casts himself upon the merits of the blood of Christ, Jesus listens to the earnest prayer of faith, and sends a re-enforcement of those angels which excel in strength to deliver him.

‘Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed to, for he fears and trembles before His [Christ’s] strength and majesty. At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles. . . And when angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armoury of heaven, come to the help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back, well knowing that their battle is lost.’ MYP 53

POLITICAL EVENTS

The battle is not only fought over each individual soul, there is also a battle being fought over the political events on this earth.We have before us in the Word of God instances of heavenly agencies working on the minds of kings and rulers, while at the same time satanic agencies were also at work on their minds?

‘Day by day the conflict between good and evil is going on. Why is it that those who have had many opportunities and advantages do not realize the intensity of this work? They should be intelligent in regard to this. God is the Ruler. By His supreme power He holds in check and controls earthly potentates. Through His agencies He does the work which was ordained before the foundation of the world.’ 4BC 1173

‘As a people we do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Evil angels are constantly at work, planning their line of attack, controlling as commanders, kings, and rulers, the disloyal human forces’ I call upon the ministers of Christ to press home upon the understanding of all who come within the reach of their voice, the truth of the ministration of angels. Do not indulge in fanciful speculations. The written Word is our only safety. We must pray as did Daniel, that we may be guarded by heavenly intelligences. As ministering spirits angels are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Pray, my brethren, pray as you have never prayed before. We are not prepared for the Lord’s coming. We need to make thorough work for eternity? (Letter 201, 1899).

‘Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, until the world shall be warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon the earth, and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.’ Ev 704

IN OUR MEETINGS

‘I saw that Satan carries out his plans well. As the servants of God appoint meetings, Satan with his angels is on the ground to hinder the work. He is constantly putting suggestions into the minds of God’s people. He leads some in one way, and some in another, always taking advantage of evil traits in the brethren and sisters, exciting and stirring up their natural besetments. If they are disposed to be selfish and covetous, Satan takes his stand by their side, and with all his power seeks to lead them to indulge their besetting sins. The grace of God and the light of truth may melt away their covetous, selfish feeling for a little, but if they do not obtain entire victory, Satan comes in when they are not under a saving influence, and withers every noble, generous principle, and they think that too much is required of them. They become weary of well-doing, and forget the great sacrifice which Jesus made to redeem them from the power of Satan and from hopeless misery. EW 268. Has your mind ever wandered away from the subject at hand in church? Have worldly cares and trials crept into your mind during the service? Have you communicated with others whether by whispered word or written note? Is it the angels of God who are inspiring you to do these things? Are we inviting the evil angels into our midst?

‘Evil angels in the form of believers will work in our ranks to bring in a strong spirit of unbelief. Let not even this discourage you, but bring a true heart to the help of the Lord against the powers of satanic agencies. These powers of evil will assemble in our meetings, not to receive a blessing, but to counterwork the influences of the Spirit of God.

‘At these gatherings we must ever remember that two forces are at work. A battle unseen by human eyes is being waged. The army of the Lord is on the ground, seeking to save souls. Satan and his host are also at work, trying in every possible way to deceive and destroy.’ LDE 161

WHAT IS YOUR PART IN THIS BATTLE?

Although it sounds like a strong physical battle behind the scenes, what is our part? Are we to passively choose our master and then let them fight it out? There is more to it than that. It takes striving and agonizing. Great efforts are needed to change masters. To detach from the world and attach to Jesus is no easy matter. The world can have a tremendous grip on us. Satan does not let go of his prey easily.

‘We are to do all we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to strive, to agonize, to enter in at the strait gate. We are to set the Lord ever before us. With clean hands, with pure hearts, we are to seek to honour God in all our ways. Help has been provided for us in Him who is mighty to save. The spirit of truth and light will quicken and renew us by its mysterious workings; for all our spiritual improvement comes from God, not from ourselves. The true worker will have divine power to aid him, but the idler will not be sustained by the Spirit of God.’ Faith and Works page 48

‘A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness–sin in all its forms–must be overcome if we would enter into a union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.

‘After the union with Christ has been formed, it can be preserved only by earnest prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we must deny, we must conquer self. Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by faith, by watchfulness, we may gain the victory.’ 5T 231

‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ James 4:7 ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.’ 1 Peter 5:9

‘Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.’ Hebrews 12:4 To obtain the victory you must resist sin with all your resolute firmness as if you’re struggling in a physical combat. Yet we have the promise that, ‘There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it’. 1 Cor 10:13.

HOW TO BE STRONG IN THIS BATTLE?

There are several ways in order to gain and maintain strength in this battle. The first step would be to choose to serve Jesus ? take His hand and do not let go.

‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.Gaze upon Jesus until the spirit faints under the excess of light. We do not half pray. We do not half believe.Ask, and it shall be given you. Luke 11:9.Pray, believe, strengthen one another. Pray as you never before prayed that the Lord will lay His hand upon you, that you may be able to comprehend the length and breadth and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ 7T 214

‘Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan.The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’ Proverbs 18:10.

Once we have a connection with Jesus, the use of song can help us in our daily activities to keep our mind stayed upon Jesus.If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily increase. And would not this strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who today are standing in defense of truth?? PK 202. Jesus was often heard lifting up His voice in song. If we would do more singing our spirits would be uplifted while we are doing our daily duties. They will not become monotonous or distasteful.

‘The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10. The common opinion by worldly people is that religion is gloomy and solemn. Is there any joy in serving the Lord? ?Do not think that when you walk with Jesus you must walk in the shadow. The happiest people in the world are those who trust in Jesus and gladly do His bidding. He is the light of life. From the lives of those who follow Him unrest and discontent are banished. With a full heart they echo the words of the wise man, Wisdom’s ?ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace? (Prov. 3:17). Though they meet with trials and difficulties, their lives are full of joy; for Christ walks beside them, and His presence makes the pathway bright?’ HP 262.

‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.’ James 1:2-4

‘To the mature Christian the trials and tests of life brings no burden of disappointment or discouragement. Christian joy and courage are not based on outward circumstances, which may often be most forbidding but our faith in God?s over ruling providence and an intelligent understanding of His dealing with men. Christianity teaches men how to be joyful under such circumstances, through an intelligent understanding of the causes of suffering through faith in God.’ 7T 214

‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zech 4:6.I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ Phil. 4:13

WHO WILL WIN?

‘We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man, good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict. It is no mimic battle in which we are engaged. We have to meet most powerful adversaries, and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our strength where the early disciples found theirs.’ ST, Feb. 17, 1914.

The following is a very serious statement that we all need to carefully consider. We are loved with an everlasting love. The Lord has given His all for our salvation. Are we the barren fig tree that God is giving extra special attention for another year? ‘I saw that the angels of God are not to force or bend the will of the individual they watch over. They are to gently chide, warn and guard. Satan can never force back these holy angels from their charge. None can do this but the individuals that they are watching over. If these individuals continue to grieve these tender, holy angels; if they go astray from their counsel and warnings, and choose an independent course of their own, they will drive these angels from them. If the will is submitted to them, they will bend it in the heavenly channel, and they will ever be on the watch for their interests, leading them from a thousand dangers, preventing their lives being taken by Satan, and, if they are inclined to go a wrong course, stand in the path before them to prevent their ruin.

‘But if individuals continue to retain their own will, choose their own course, and have their own way, the angels leave them in sadness. Then Satan comes in to control the will, and bend the mind, and smiles in hellish triumph at his success.I saw that the great condescension for man has been made. Jesus condescended to the shameful death of the cross, and now man in his turn must condescend and bow. He must yield up his will and pleasure if he would follow in the only road to heaven. I saw that God would not compel any to be saved. Jesus has made the great sacrifice, and if man will freely, gladly accept it; if he will choose life, he can have it. But his life must be one of continual yielding.’ 2SG 277/8.

CONCLUSION:

‘Day by day the battle goes on. If our eyes could be opened to see the good and evil agencies at work, there would be no trifling, no vanity, no jesting or joking. If all would put on the whole armour of God and fight manfully the battles of the Lord, victories would be gained that would cause the kingdom of darkness to tremble.’ 6T 41

On the resurrection morning, we will meet our guardian angel. We will then understand all the trials and difficulties we encountered in our life?s journey. We will see the love of God in everything that we experience.The angel who was his guardian from his earliest moment; the angel who watched his steps, and covered his head in the day of peril; the angel who was with him in the valley of the shadow of death, who marked his resting place, who was the first to greet him in the resurrection morning–what will it be to hold converse with him, and to learn the history of divine interposition in the individual life, of heavenly co-operation in every work for humanity!

‘All the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony.’ Ed 305

May God help us to be good Christian soldiers and take our stand under the banner of Christ, and letting Him fight our battles for us.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia