Battle Ready: The Encounter

Ephesians 2:1-3

When we study God’s story in God’s people, we must recognize that there is an enemy out to destroy us. We will see his work in the people and events in God’s story, and we experience it every day in our lives. 

Our enemy’s many names describe his character: murderer (John 8:44), liar (John 8:44), tempter (1 Thess. 3:5), and the evil one (Matt. 13:19). He is not only the ancient serpent who deceived Adam and Eve in the garden (Rev. 12:9); he is also the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9). Created as a powerful angel, he was cast from heaven to the earth because of his pride. Today Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). 

Satan is not all-powerful, all-knowing, or omnipresent, but he is a master student of humanity. He works to blind the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4) and makes the wrong path appear desirable. He relentlessly delights in accusing believers, pointing out our failures to God (Job 1:9, 11; Zech. 3:1; Rev. 12:10).

The battle is real. We must recognize and understand that believers fight on three fronts: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Let’s consider each area. 

The World
In God’s story, the world does not refer to the physical earth but to spiritual and moral systems organized in opposition to God. These systems are built on values and beliefs apart from God. This began in Genesis 3 and continues to be influenced and directed by Satan, as “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). 

The apostle John says, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). The world system promotes self over God (as we saw in the garden), body image over godly character, pleasure over obedience. 

The world system seeks to influence people by establishing cultural norms. Consider what is happening in defining marriage, sexual identity, pornography, and online gambling, which is now part of ESPN programming and cleverly advertised by celebrities. The world system shapes a shifting culture through its institutions (political, educational, entertainment, and economic) and through all forms of communication, with social media leading the way.  

With Satan behind it, the world appeals to our flesh and tries to normalize what was once considered immoral, thereby erasing morality from our consciences. However, “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Believers are not to be “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). Thus, daily renewal through God’s Word is key to resisting Satan’s onslaught from the world.

Here’s one thing we are certain of and can take comfort in from Revelation. The world is “passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). 

The Flesh
Adam and Eve’s rebellion in the garden infected us all with a sinful nature that acts out, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). This is called “original sin” and describes, “the moral corruption we possess as a consequence of Adam’s sin, resulting in a sinful disposition manifesting itself in habitually sinful behavior.”[1] 

Because through Adam we have all sinned (Rom. 5:12), our hearts now are “deceitful” and “desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9). Paul describes our situation well by stating, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:18-19). 

The Devil
As we have learned, the devil is a created being intent on our destruction. He is intelligent, powerful, and thoroughly evil, and he seeks to perpetrate evil. 

The devil’s devious activities, the world system, and our sinful natures are woven together into a perfect storm of temptation. Let me wrap up by showing how the world, the flesh, and the devil work together. 

The Gospel writers describe a time when Jesus praised Peter for his confession that Jesus was the Christ. Later, when Jesus said he was going to be put to death, Peter rebuked him. The Lord told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Matt. 16:23). Let’s think through Jesus’ words. 

First, the statement, “Get behind me, Satan!” shows that the devil was involved in Peter’s response. Also, the Jewish worldview was at play, because to the Jew, it was unthinkable that their Messiah would die. Finally, Peter assumed Jesus would establish a physical kingdom and that he would reign with Jesus; therefore, Peter’s fleshly desires were tainting his thoughts and emotions. 

Authors William Cook and Chuck Lawless say it this way:  “Satan (and demons) can tempt the Christian, and the world-system can provide philosophies and ideas that give a rationale for sin, but it is the individual who makes the choices, yields to temptation, or utilizes the philosophy in order to justify his sinful action.”[2]

The world, the flesh, and the devil are constantly coming at us. We must prepare and stay battle-ready! We’ve studied the enemy and his influence on the world and on our flesh. Next time, we’ll examine his strategy. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Ephesians 2:1-3.

Talking to God: Where do you see the values of the world subtly shaping your thinking or choices more than God’s Word?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step. 

SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.