UnansweredSample

Paranormal: The New Normal

C. S. Lewis became a celebrity in North America with the release of his wartime best seller The Screwtape Letters. It originally appeared as a series of articles published in a church magazine. The letters were popular enough that a year later they were imported into a small book for a wider popular audience. The Screwtape Letters challenged the mind and stretched the heart. In the preface Lewis identified two wrong attitudes toward the Devil, attitudes that are perhaps even more prevalent today: 

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.

Unfortunately, many Christians are not aware of their identity and authority in Jesus Christ. Unprepared believers lack confidence, not only to discuss the devil and demons, but also to overcome them. A Christian’s power and confidence to overcome the devil do not occur automatically. Notice the action words Paul used in Ephesians 6: “Put on the full armor of God” (v. 11, NASB). “Take up the full armor of God” (v. 13, NASB). “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth” (v. 14, NASB). “ [Take] up the shield of faith” (v. 16, NASB). “Take the helmet of salvation” (v. 17, NASB). These action words describe a believer’s continual work to overcome the Enemy when he strikes, and strike he will. Paul taught that we are active agents, not passive observers, in battling demonic forces. 

Paul wrote about Satan to the Corinthian church more than he did to any of the other churches. Paul must have recognized demonic attack in the church and tried to warn them. Scripture refers to Satan as the deceiver (see 2 John 7) and the father of lies (see John 8:44). Here Paul warned the church not to let Satan outwit them, because he is also a schemer. 

In battle we need fellow allies in the foxhole with us—companions who will fight with us and for us. Our small group is like a platoon; we are comrades in this spiritual battle.