IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

 

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

               We have been watching an old TV show on Paramount Plus called Monk. It is the story of a brilliant detective who suffers from a multitude of phobias. The theme song for the show begins with the line, it’s a jungle out there. There is some spiritual truth to that statement.

               I have been reminded recently that we have to be aware that there are spiritual forces that want to derail our faith and make us ineffective. This is especially true when we are making positive spiritual progress in life. When things seem to be falling into place, we need to watch out for Satan’s attacks.

               Peter tells us that we need to be on our guard because we have an enemy who is looking for an opening through which he can attack us. He is like a hungry lion looking for easy prey. One of Satan’s tactics is to keep us oblivious to the spiritual realm all around us. In our materialistic world we tend to think about and focus only on those things that seem tangible to us. But there is an entire sphere of reality that is outside of our material world. As Peter warns us, it’s a jungle out there.

               In my experience, I have encountered two extremes when it comes to the spiritual realm. On one side are those who are obsessed with the spiritual realm. They see a demon behind every mishap in life. They go around trying to cast demons out of their car because it won’t start on a cold winter’s morning. Or they see catching Covid as a direct attack from Satan. I may be exaggerating a little, but not too much.

               On the other extreme are those who never consider the spiritual realm at all. They either deny its existence or just refuse to even consider it. These folks tend to see those who are concerned about the spiritual realm as naïve or superstitious or uninformed. In their mind, there is nothing to be concerned about.

               The Bible gives us a more nuanced and balanced view of the spiritual realm. It confirms that the spiritual realm exists. It also understands that the spiritual realm is subject to God’s authority. Angels and demons are not just real, they are a present reality in our world, even though we cannot see them. There are multiple examples of the interplay between the material world and the spiritual world given in the Bible. For example, there are multiple records of Jesus casting out demons from possessed people.

               One of my favorites is the story of the demon possessed man who was so violent and uncontrollable that he lived among the tombs. When Jesus encountered him, it was revealed that this man was possess by a legion of demons. So, Jesus cast them out of the man into a herd of pigs that then raced down a slope into a lake and were drowned. This was a great loss to the people who owned the pigs, but there was some interesting symbolism here. Pigs were considered unclean by the Jews and all demons are unclean. The unclean were cast into the unclean and the end result was destruction.

               In the book of Daniel, we read about a struggle between an angel and the Prince of Peria. Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." Daniel 10:12-14 (NIV)

               In the New Testament, Paul reminds us that we are constantly in a spiritual battle that is being fought in the spiritual realm with material consequences. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)

               We cannot afford to be ignorant of the spiritual realm around us. On the other hand, we do not have to live in constant fear of it either. As we actively put on the armor of God, we can take our stand with confidence. We have the power of God available to us through the Holy Spirit. As John tells us in 1 John 4:4, You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

               We should not be surprised that we are under a spiritual attack. In fact, we should expect it. The more that we draw closer to God in Christ and serve Him more effectively, the more Satan will try to derail us. Satan cannot attack God directly, but he can attack God’s children, and he does. So, we need to be on our guard.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.