WHEN THE DAYS OF EVIL COMES
Mark 8:33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Out of my sight Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.
Jesus had just explained that he was going to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days raised again. Then Peter took Jesus off to the side and began to rebuke him.
Can you imagine what Peter must have felt when Jesus spoke directly to him and said, “Satan out of my sight?” He probably looked around to see if there was another Peter in the room. I can’t even imagine what the other disciples must have thought! I certainly wouldn't have wanted Jesus to say this to me, and especially in front of my friends. So why did Jesus say such a thing? Probably because it was true! Satan had inspired Peter to say this to tempt Jesus in not going to the cross, and Peter didn’t even realize it.
Now that is pretty scary I think. I know of times has the powers of darkness done this through me! I really felt terrible after I had done it. If Satan would do it through Peter why not me, or someone we know or love? Well, they have! Almost always like with Peter we don’t even recognize it at least at the moment. Often someone may say, “That was really out of character for them,” or something like, “What got into them?”
To identify this happening a person must have discernment and a spiritual awareness at all times. We need to be constantly remember that spiritual forces (angels) are constantly around us. This includes God’s holy angels and those that are in rebellion to him. We call the fallen angels demons or the powers of darkness. They do Satan’s bidding and desire to encourage God’s creation to rebel from him and bring him sorrow. They do this in many ways. They like Satan will rob, destroy and even kill. They have no qualms about anything they do. They are as apt to attack a baby as an elderly person. They will attack non-Christians as well as Christians. They will attack plants and animals. And chances are the only way they will be found out or exposed is if the Holy Spirit will help us to know it. And even then chances are the person does not know what to do about it.
We need to remember that people are not our enemies as hard as that might be to believe at times. The powers of darkness just use them like Satan did Peter. Our natural instinct is to strike out against that person or thing. The reason I say thing is that the powers of darkness will use our computer, car, or anything thing else that they can to upset us and get our eyes off of Jesus, so that we will reject the Lord just like Satan and the powers of darkness have.
Have you ever seen a child play with a bug only to smash it when they grew bored with it? That’s the way the powers of darkness regard us. They show no pitty only distain. They would just as soon kill us as look at us, but they know that God loves us and we are their means to get back at God. They have no power or authority over God, and never will have so vent their hatred and anger of God on his creation.
So why does God allow them to do it? He doesn’t, but we do! God has given us complete authority over Satan and the powers of darkness. We see evidence of this in Ephesians 6:10-18. It says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. With this Jesus has also given us the keys of his kingdom. We see this in Matthew 16:19 where is says, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” So when we tell Satan or the powers of darkness to go to the pit and never come out, and command it in Jesus’ name they have to go. Now this is not to say that other demons might not come, but the ones cast into the pit never will!
God has given us all the authority we need to defeat the powers of darkness and Satan included. All we need to do is to use it. So how do we know if it is the powers of darkness or just the freedom of creation? If our spirit feels upset for really no good reason, it’s probably the powers of darkness. If we keep trying and only have more trouble and frustration it might be the powers of darkness. Remember losing is as important if not more important in dealing with the powers of darkness and just life in general. We need to pray about everything just like Paul said. Before we start a project, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you, so it goes smoothly. Remember we have not because we ask not! Be proactive in your life! Try to remember to pray before you start anything! God is a good God and he wants to help us. If you are having problems do I like do and assume it is Satan and the powers of darkness. They may be using people, things or whatever to get under your skin. Don’t let them have the satisfaction of using your hurt, frustration and sorrow to hurt God! Remember when you are hurting, God is hurting for you!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much. Holy Spirit, please give us the discernment to recognize the attacks from Satan and the powers of darkness. Lord Jesus, please make them leave us alone and not use people or things to rob us of our happiness, and certainly not our love for you. We ask this in your name. Thank you Jesus.
