"I Do, I Do, I Do Believe In Spooks!" Series

The ancients referred to three levels of the heavens; the highest being the Heaven of God, the next being what we call outer space, and then the immediate atmosphere surrounding the earth, which we call the sky. So his reference to spiritual activity in the heavenly places would definitely include the sky around us, and maybe even outer space. That’s more than I know. But as I mentioned earlier, I think the emphasis is that they are free to move about and not earthbound.

STILL POWERFUL, BUT DISARMED

Now that we’ve been adequately warned, and have some idea what we’re up against, I think we should draw this to a close with some very encouraging information about the nature of our struggle.

First though, I think I should make a couple of things clear.

I do not believe that there is a place in scripture that gives us power to ‘bind’ Satan or his demons. The only authority we have over them at all is in Christ.

Jude gives us an example when he says in verse 9,

“But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you’.”

So if even Michael the archangel dared not address the devil apart from invoking the Lord’s name, then we need to tread lightly.

I would not deny that there have been many cases in which God’s people have ministered to others in casting demons out of them, or freeing them from demonic oppression. That is much more prevalent in countries or areas where demonic religions are freely practiced, but it does happen. But always, always, by the power and authority of Christ, and only by those who are Christ’s by new birth and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Having said, that, I want to assure you that you have nothing to fear from the power of these rulers, these powerful spirits of wickedness in the heavenly places, if you are a born again believer in Christ, and as long as you are aware of them, and you know His Word concerning them.

They know your Jesus, and they tremble at His name. They know their time is short. They know their master has already lost the war.

As pertaining to you, they have no power over you anymore, so they can only hope to deceive your mind. Keep you in fear if they can; or doubt; or under a load of guilt if you have not fully understood the grace of God.

You belong to the One of whom it is written:

”And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” Col 2:13-15

They are powerful, but insofar as they pertain to you, they are disarmed.

Satan has lost his claim over you if you are a believer in Christ. Jesus took the decree of debt that existed against you, and nailed it to His cross. Your sin was judged and taken away forever when He bore it to Calvary’s cross and suffered the fire of God’s wrath there for you.