Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

When it comes to the reality of spiritual evil, many Christians either deny that it exists or they're obsessed with it.

To deny the presence of spiritual evil is to deny the reality of a fallen archangel named Satan and his band of fellow fallen angels--called demons--who rebelled against God a long time ago.

Conversely, those who are obsessed with spiritual evil attribute almost everything bad in this world to Satan and his demons. They're convinced that they can wage spiritual warfare against the devil and eradicate his evil influence.

Those who deny spiritual wickedness often downplay or ignore the existence of evil. They refuse to believe that Satan and his fallen angels encourage violence and depravity; promote false religions and empower ruthless, despotic political leaders.

For example, Islam is a religion that can easily be dismissed as fraudulent based on the evidence of the numerous historical inaccuracies and contradictions contained in the Quran.
http://prophecyreviewtoday.blogspot.com/2014/08/muhammad-or-isaiah-part-i.html

And yet two billion people throughout the world embrace that religion as truthful and divinely inspired. Any person who conducts a serious and objective study of that religion would conclude that Islam is a fraud. And yet Islam lives on, stronger than ever. Why? Because it's demonically empowered.

And the very fact that Islam promotes jihad as an essential proselytizing tool and encourages its adherents to murder Christians, Jews and others reveals the true spiritual source behind that religion.

Here's how Jesus Christ referred to the devil: "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)

That statement would make no sense if Satan lacked the ability to influence the physical realm. But he does and Christ alerted us to that reality.

But how can we discern the devil's influence? Very simply. When something so abjectly false (evolution, Islam, global warming etc.) continues to be embraced as truth by millions despite the evidence, then you know who's behind it.

When certain groups (Christians, Jews) are targeted for intellectual abuse, physical persecution and even annihilation because they believe in a holy God and his absolute transcendent moral laws, then you know who's behind it.

And when millions of people throughout the world--including may professing Christians--believe that the only solution for global peace is the establishment of a world government that would possess absolute authority, then you know who's behind it.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the apostle Paul warned the early churches to always be aware of Satan and his diabolical schemes. The failure to do so would be disastrous.

Here's what Paul wrote: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:12-13)

If the Christian church had not forgotten that passage, we probably wouldn't be seeing all the moral and spiritual problems that are plaguing the world today.

No, the devil doesn't force us to do evil. But he encourages us to. And he's very good at it. After all, he's had thousands of years to perfect his evil art.