By Robert Hooley
The Bible reveals the struggle believers face with spiritual satanic forces of darkness. A wise response, strong in faith, and scripturally based is essential to a victorious life in God.
Every believer faces spiritual warfare. What can we do about it? Join me in looking at a biblical example where victorious steps in spiritual warfare are powerfully displayed.
Elisha, a great prophet of Israel, was used mightily of the Lord. Our text in II Kings reveals the powerful way he helped his country against their enemy Syria. We are told God revealed to him the exact times and places of upcoming Syrian military attacks. This information enabled Israel’s army to easily prevail. We are told this scenario occurred more than twice. The king of Syria became very troubled and upset. He suggested to key leaders that a traitor must be in their midst. Second Kings 6:12, “And one of his servants said, none, my Lord, 0 king: hut Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.” Here indeed was a supernatural work of God’s spirit. Daniel 2:22 says, God knows what is in the darkness. Job 34:22 says, “There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.” Jesus declared in Luke 12:2 that nothing can be hidden or covered from God’s view. Psalm 139:12 says, “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; hut the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” There are no secrets beyond God’s scrutiny. He is able at any given time to reveal unto His servants facts vital to fulfilment of divine purpose.
THE SYRIAN STRATEGY
A command was issued to inquire where Elisha was residing. He was at Dotham where a large force was dispatched at night to capture him. The next morning Elisha’s servant rises early and views the Syrians encircling the small hilltop city. He is greatly frightened and proceeds to cry out to Elisha, “What shall we do?” Second Kings 6:16, “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Elisha then prayed that his servant’s spiritual eyes would be opened. God permitted him to see a heavenly angelic host that had come down about Elisha. The Bible reveals the existence of both righteous and evil angels. Hebrews 12:22 tells us God’s angelic host is innumerable. Hebrews 1:14 states clearly that they are sent to help believers. Psalm 91:11 says, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Today’s worldly perspective about angels is one of mockery and unbelief. Nevertheless, God’s Word will forever stand true.
Scripture reveals the certainty of satanic inspired attacks upon the lives of believers. Psalm 2:2 tells us evil powers counsel together against God and His servants. God’s response is stated in Psalm 2:4-6, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” The challenge facing believers today is to comprehend God’s Word, then walk in faith and obedience. James 4:7 gives us marching orders, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Elisha sets a sterling example of implementing this scripture.
SUBMIT YOURSELVES TO GOD
Elisha immediately submits himself to God in prayer. He requests that the attacking Syrians be smitten with blindness. The Lord grants his petition. This served to neutralize and stop the Syrian attack. This is a pivotal and essential first key to victory in spiritual warfare.
The onslaught of the enemy must be neutralized and stopped. This can only be accomplished through the powerful weapon of prayer.
RESIST THE DEVIL
Next, we observe Elisha speaking directly to the Syrians. II Kings 6:19, “ . . . this is not the way, neither is the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.” This was the capital and seat of government for the northern kingdom of Israel. Elisha was making clear his position as a servant under the banner of Israel and the authority of the king. An attack against Elisha was considered as an attack against all Israel. This is why Elisha then led the Syrians to Samaria. Once the blinded Syrians were within the city, he prayed their eyes would be opened. When this happened, they beheld themselves in the midst or most fortified position in the city. Outmaneuvered and outnumbered, their utter defeat was quite visible. They had been put to an open shame. The King of Israel could have smitten (killed) them. The counsel of God was otherwise. II Kings 6:22 “ . . . set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” The sovereign will of God was for them to return to Syria with testimony of their humiliating defeat.
A satanic attack against believers must be understood as an attack against God and His Kingdom. We are servants under this banner in submission to our Lord, Savior, and King Jesus Christ. Isaiah 28:6 promises God will give strength to them “WHO TURN THE BATTLE TO THE GATE.” Like Elisha, we direct our adversaries the right way, to the right place, TO THE RIGHT MAN. Jesus Christ, as head of the Church, is truly King in Zion. Philippians chapter two declares He has a name above every name in heaven, earth, or under the earth.
It is God’s purpose that our evil adversaries be given great provision of truth about the power, glory, and supreme Lordship of Jesus Christ. I John 3:8, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” Colossians 2:15 says, the triumph of his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension has spoiled Satanic powers. He made an open show of their utter and complete undoing. Hallelujah.
AND HE WILL FLEE
FROM THEE
Second Kings 6:23, “And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. SO THE BANDS OF SYRIA CAME NO MORE UNTO THE LAND OF ISRAEL.” Here is the conclusion of Elisha’s great faith in Almighty God. The Syrians were masterfully and powerfully overcome. They were forced to flee in a humiliating confession of utter defeat. In that immediate hour of history they were unable to mount any further attacks into Israel.
Satan and his angels will, in the final judgment, be cast into everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41). Until then, it is God’s will that His people overcome them through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul declares in Romans 16:20, it is God’s purpose to bruise Satan under our feet or by our walk of faith. When we rightly submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, he will then FLEE from us. In Matthew 16:23 Jesus said, “ . . . get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offense unto me . . . ” Likewise, in situations affecting our lives today, spiritual forces can be put in retreat. They must acknowledge and submit to the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives. The Bible speaks of them fleeing to the dry (or unfruitful) places (Matthew 12:43). Ultimately, they are to return to their own camp with a report of humiliation and defeat AND NOT RETURN AGAIN.
Other Publications:
The Anointing
Published By
Bethel Biblical Foundation
P.O. 440684
Aurora, Colorado 80044
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