Understanding God - 13

Beloved of God,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus. We thank God for another opportunity to communicate with you. In continuation of our sub-series on “Understanding Tribulation”, we are focusing on metaphysical attacks. Remember, our main theme is “Understanding God”, which led us to a focus on “The Sovereignty of God”, which in turn led us to an exploration of “The Place of Satan”, and this has naturally led to a focus on “Understanding Tribulation”.

Our explorations on “Understanding God” and “The Sovereignty of God” have led us to a consideration of the place of Satan in the scheme of things. We have established by the Scriptures that Satan exists and operates only by God’s permission. This has led to a focus on tribulation and the roles played by God, man and Satan in the tribulation ‘ring’. So far, we have explored different types of tribulation, namely tests of faith, temptations, persecutions, the fiery darts of the wicked, chastisement and physical mishaps. In this study, we are exploring supernatural attacks.

(7) Supernatural Attacks. Examples of these are witchcraft attacks, divinations, curses and so on. This could also be grouped under “fiery darts”, in which case it could be considered along side the dart of fear, simply because the Devil needs this much (that is, fear) to launch such an attack on a believer.

Concerning curses, the Bible says “the curse causeless shall not come” (Pro.26:2). By implication, the curse comes when there is a cause. The antidote for curses is an obedient lifestyle, involving submission to God and submission to relevant human authorities, in accordance to His will. Apart from the above exceptional circumstances, the Scriptures are emphatic: “Surely, there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel”(Num.23:23); “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Lk.10:19). The implication is that there can be no such thing as a successful supernatural attack against the people of God. If this were not so, Philip would have had to run out of Samaria, a city held under the spell of Simon the sorcerer, who had successfully bewitched everyone (see Ac.8:9-11). Likewise, Paul would have been destroyed when he dared the forces of darkness and cast out the spirit of divination from a young woman. Instead, the people launched a physical attack (see Ac.16:16-24). This limitation of the enemy is confirmed by the story of Gideon and the worshippers of Baal. When Gideon pulled down the altar of Baal, the spirits that kept alive (through deception and lying wonders) the worship of Baal were, no doubt, witnesses; but they were unable to retaliate. By the morning, the worshippers of Baal woke up and demanded for Gideon’s head. Gideon’s father tactfully counselled them to allow Baal to fight for himself, and to desist from diminishing the status of Baal by presenting him as one who was incapable of fighting for himself. The moment they accepted his proposition, Gideon was a free man. Baal was never able to muster up the strength to destroy Gideon (see Jud.6:25-32). Response to metaphysical attacks? Examine your fears and beliefs. Revisit your relationship with God. Consider issues of fellowship, obedience and submission. Seek understanding, repent (where necessary) and believe the gospel.

On this note, we move on to consider the place of creation in relation to the sovereignty of God.