Spiritual Wickedness

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

It seems to be inherent in human nature to think of God as dwelling somewhere in the heights. From earliest times men have chosen high places for worship, both of the true God or false gods and idols invented by man. In Old Testament times these high places became the scenes of evil orgies and human sacrifice connected with the worship of false gods.

God told Israel when they entered the Promised Land to drive out all the inhabitants of the land and destroy their high places:

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places. Numbers 33:52

In the book of Judges we read of Israel's failure to drive the people out of the land. As a result, they fell into idolatrous worship in the high places. After the period of the judges, some of the good kings of Israel destroyed the high places. Others rebuilt them and worshiped false gods. King Manasseh was one who rebuilt the high places. After he had been punished and repented for this sin, he was restored to his throne and resumed worship of the true God. The people still sacrificed in the high places, but "only unto Jehovah their God".

And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only.  2 Chronicles 33:16-17

We must be aware of the places and methods Satan imposes on man in order to deceive us from God.

When Apostle Paul speaks of "spiritual wickedness in high places", he is referring to wicked spirits who have infiltrated the religious systems of the world. They have even crept into the congregations of the righteous. Satan has organized his evil forces to imitate the organization of the true church of God. 

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14

Through "spiritual wickedness in high places" Satan aims for the total allegiance of man. He uses false cults, his own church of Satan, and infiltration into the Body of Christ to accomplish this purpose.  But even more dangerous, Satan has set up his system right in the true church through evil people who have "crept in unawares": 

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.    Jude 4

God established the true church which is known as the "Body of Christ" of which Jesus is the head:

Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular.   1 Corinthians 12:27

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:15-16

The Bible is filled with the true doctrine of God revealed by the Holy Spirit:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:    2 Timothy 3:16

We should be aware that there is doctrine that is not found in the scriptures as we know Satan has his own doctrine and it is called the "doctrine of devils":

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.        1 Timothy 4:1

Satan has demons known as "seducing spirits." Their specific job is to seduce men into doctrinal error. The "doctrine of demons" is any teaching presented as "truth" which does not agree with the written Word of God.

Apostle Paul tells us  we are told to present ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice". 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

This means we are to surrender in total allegiance to God. However, Satan demands sacrifices also:

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.   1 Corinthians 10:20

The sharing of the communion bread and wine was started by Jesus as a way of remembering His sacrifice for the sins of all mankind on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-34). Satan counterfeits this by his own communion:

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.  1 Corinthians 10:20

God has called some believers to serve as pastors and minister to His church and proclaim the Gospel: 

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.   1 Corinthians 12:28 

We have to be very careful in knowing and discerning who God has called to orate His word because Satan also has ministers:

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.   2 Corinthians 11:14-15

The "gospel" of Satan is contrary to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:

Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from Heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.   Galatians 1:7-8

God has a throne in Heaven. Satan also has a throne:

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and HIS SEAT, and great authority.   Revelation 13:2

There are many of us who worship the true God but there are also those who worship Satan:

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?   Revelation 13:4

Some worshipers of Satan pretend to be followers of Jesus.  Satan mixes the bad "seed" in with the good "seed" (believers).

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.  Matthew 13:38-39

God has set in the Church prophets, men who are especially anointed to bring a direct message from Him to the Church. Satan has false prophets who deliver false messages:

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.    Matthew 24:11

God has anointed some people as teachers to share and explain His Word to others. But all teachers are not from God. Satan has false teachers to spread his evil doctrine:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.   2 Peter 2:1-3

Satan's teachers bring in "damnable heresies," teachings which are false and cause division. They speak lies and are experts at mixing truth and error in a way that makes error acceptable. They are expert at spreading disinformation;false information which is intended to mislead and misinformation;false or inaccurate information, with or without but highly probable with the intent to deliberately deceive.  Many such false teachings have resulted in the growth of cults. A cult is any system of religion or worship that is not in harmony with the written Word of God. It is a "damnable heresy."

An apostle is a person who spreads the Gospel and establishes churches.  Satan also has apostles doing his work throughout the world. They deceive people by imitating the true apostles:

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  2 Corinthians 11:13

Satan's apostles become leaders of false cults and infiltrate churches in leadership capacities.  Satan has even imitated the Lord Jesus Christ by raising up false Christs. Jesus warned:

And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed, that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.   Matthew 24:4-5

The Bible is a record of how God spoke to man. God continues to speak to men today. Satan also speaks to man. His first words to humans resulted in their fall into sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

Believers pray to God regarding their needs and God responds to the prayer of the righteous 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.   James 5:16 

Satan's followers pray to him and communicate with evil spirits. Sometimes Satan responds with supernatural events such as voices, the moving of objects, noises, etc.

God has communicated to man through His written Word, the Bible. Satan's message is also being communicated through the written word by evil magazines, books, motion pictures, and music. God's communication through His written and spoken Word provides guidance for man in the affairs of life. Satan has a system of false guidance accomplished through methods such as the following:

*    Astrology and horoscope: Which use stars to predict events and give guidance.

*    Reading of tea leaves, cards, pictures, bumps on the head, palms of the hand and crystal balls: The formation of the tea leaves, cards, lines in the human hand, crystal balls, and pictures are claimed to give guidance.

*    Witchcraft: Using spells, potions, charms, magic, rituals, seances, divinations, methods of chance, divining rods, visions, drawings, and similar unscriptural methods to receive guidance.

Jesus promised supernatural power to His followers after they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.    Acts 1:8

Satan also gives supernatural power and authority:

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.   Revelation 13:2 

His demons can provide supernatural strength and energy.  Satan can perform many supernatural signs and miracles:

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.   Revelation 16:14

Jesus said:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.   Matthew 7:22-23

The children of God are not to be dismayed or discouraged.  

Power belongs to God -

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  Psalms 62:11

- and He has given us power through His Holy Spirit to defeat everything that comes against us.  Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world!  

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   1 John 4:4

God is strong, and He wants us to be strong. After all, we are created in His image and His likeness.  So take everything God endued us with - well-made weapons of the best materials. We are to use them so we can stand up to everything the devil throws our way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps; a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels.  [message]

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