Spiritual wickedness in high places: Satan is real!

“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).

People stand in awe of what is going on in our nation. Even some who voted for the current ruling class are stunned by the actions of Congress, the President, the Media, Hollywood, and some of the large corporations in our nation.  

Those who have a Pantheist world view might simply see this as bad Karma. They think if we do good to others that all will be well; they believe that God is in all things and all things are in God—not so! There is good and evil in this world. There is a God in Heaven, His Son Jesus at His right hand, and a fallen angel called Satan who rules this world. God said so in his word when he cast Lucifer to the Earth and out of Heaven: Isaiah 14:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9 (among others).

There are three powers in this world: human power, a power for good that comes from Almighty God through his Son Jesus, and evil powers—powers of darkness, wickedness, and corruption in high places.

Our God loves us so much, as we do our own children, that he gives us a choice as to which power we will allow to rule our lives. God is a gentleman and never forces himself on us; however, Satan is not, and he will force himself and his demons on your life; sometimes through stark and vivid demonic possession, and sometimes through the simple denial that Jesus is the Messiah.

The final phrase in Ephesians 6:12 says,”…against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Can anyone deny that we are currently seeing this very thing right before our eyes? The headlines are filled with insanity on a daily basis. A verse in the Bible, written centuries ago, predicted our current situation in glaring detail.

I`m currently reading a book called “Demons: The answer book” by Lester Sumrall. This book tells some astonishing stories of real demonic possession that will curl your hair. The very first one tells the story of a woman in the Philippines who was possessed by two demons. One she described as tall, shrouded in darkness with a black robe and a white hood. She said he had long curly hair on his head, chest, and arms, and large feet. She describes his face as having a long beard, pointed black eyes, and two prominent fangs. The other demon—the larger ones accomplice—was about three feet tall, similar in looks, yet more ugly. Sounds like a fairy tale, does it not?

This woman suffered from bits all over her body. Men of science, spiritualists, and even reporters saw these bits appear out of nowhere—they even had saliva around them! Catholic Priests were called in to exorcise the demons, but to no avail. Finally, an evangelist prayed and fasted for two days as he fought these demons ("But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” Mathew 17:21, NASB). After two days he was able to make them leave, but only after demanding they do so by the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ, and two days of prayer and fasting.

For the sceptic, I understand your inclination to explain these things away with science, spiritualism, and other pantheist world views; however, isn`t it quite ironic that everything the scriptures say—everything Jesus said—has come true during his life, and after his death and ascension to the Father?   

If the atheist is right about this world, and the next, then we all have nothing to worry about. Christians are simply living a life that brings them joy, and is harmless. But…if we Christians are right…if Jesus is the one true Messiah as we believe—than the evil we see in this world makes sense, it is coherent, and we have an answer for it—Jesus! He has overcome the world.

The woman in the story above who was the victim of demonic possession was not a believer. She was a prostitute. Now, after witnessing first hand both the powers of Satan and Jesus, she became a believer and lived a joyful life thereafter. The scientist that worked this case—with tears of fear and astonishment—became a believer as well.

We in America are suffering because of “spiritual wickedness in high places.” The darkness that has fallen over this land is because we have wicked leaders in high places: In the corporate world, Hollywood, and Washington. This wickedness in high places is real! I pray for those who have turned a blind eye to the truth of who and what Jesus of Nazareth was and is! I say this in all humility! I`m a man who was wicked, selfish, and lived in darkness and fear. When the Father looks down at me from Heaven, today—he sees Jesus instead of Scott, because I`m covered in the redemptive Blood of the Lamb; a gift I did not deserve—mercy rather than justice.

When I called on Jesus that day in May of 2012, the scales fell from my eyes, and I saw the truth—spiritual truths—that I could never understand before. Christianity—Jesus—makes life joyful and coherent. Amen.