The Ruffians of Hell
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
“We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition: The more zealous we are, the more we can expect to be attacked by the ruffians of hell.” – C.H. Spurgeon
I didn’t know what spiritual warfare was until I started living for Jesus. Having lost the battle for my soul, Satan tried everything in his power to derail my life’s calling. Over the course of several years, he repeatedly attacked my marriage and – being the coward that he is – even went after our two-year-old son.
Since that time, I have endured wave after wave of Satanic attacks, which only intensified when I entered full-time missionary service in 1994. Some were physical, some financial, and some relational. However, they all originated in the spiritual realm, where the “Prince of the Power of the Air” (see Ephesians 2:2) employs legions of demons to do his nefarious bidding.
My defense has been the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-17) and His precious Word (see Matthew 4:1-11). The Bible tells me that “the battle is the LORD’s (I Samuel 17:47); that “greater is He who is in you [me] than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4); and that “no weapon formed against you [me] shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). God whipped Satan long ago, quelling his rebellion and casting him out of heaven, and continues to defeat him on a daily basis. Most importantly, God will have the final and ultimate victory when He confines Satan to the Lake of Fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).
In the meantime, all I need to do is “submit to God” and “resist the devil and he will flee from you [me].” The key is drawing near to God… and He to me (James 4:7-8).
Sounds simplistic – and it is – but it can be hard to put into practice. Thankfully, God “knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). That is why He takes pity on us, His children (Psalm 103:13); and intervenes on our behalf (Exodus 14:14).
So, my friend, when Satan starts hurling his fiery darts in your direction, just quench them with the shield of faith (see Galatians 6:16). You may also want to remind him of his final destination (see Matthew 25:41).
As the hymnist wrote, “Faith is the victory!”
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4 (ESV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
