Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities… in the heavenly realms.”
Living and working in Africa where witchcraft is commonplace, where almost everyone knows that both God and Satan are real, gives one a very different perspective on life to those with a largely Western secular worldview. Without seeing demons under every stone or attributing every problem encountered to demonic activity, spiritual warfare is undoubtedly taken seriously. We ignore it at our peril.
In C.S.Lewis’ book ‘The Screwtape Letters’, a devil briefs his demon nephew, Wormwood, in a series of letters, on the subtleties and techniques of tempting people. In one missive, the devil says that the objective is not to make people wicked but to make them indifferent. This senior devil cautions Wormwood that he must keep the patient comfortable at all costs. If the patient should start thinking about anything of significance, encourage him to think about his luncheon plans and not to worry so much because it could cause indigestion. And then the devil gives this instruction to his nephew: “I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job, my dear Wormwood, is to provide me with people who do not care.”
In a similar vein, British witch Gerald Broussay Gardner said: “The witch wants quiet, regular, ordinary good government with everyone happy, plenty of fun and games, and all fear of death being taken away.”
There is a spiritual battle going on. In a culture where apathy and indifference pervade, will you fully engage or not? The outward manifestations are clear. We now have the ‘Slacktivist Generation’: they want to change the world but can’t really be bothered!
It’s time to pray – to really pray; and to do something – to really do something! What does that look like for you today?
Lord, I refuse to be numbered among the apathetic and indifferent. Teach me to pray, to see what is really going on in the unseen realm, and to live out my calling. Amen!
PS To learn more about the unseen Spiritual battle, check out podcast episode with Adrian Galvin.
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