Demons and the believer

[votivesoul]

The real spiritual battle takes place in the soul (1 Peter 2:11), through carnal temptations internally derived through the law of sin in our members (Romans 7:23), generating lusts untold if or when we have not been crucified with Christ (James 1:12-16, Galatians 5:24).

The war that is not against flesh and blood, then, is simply an indication that the battle is not one you're going to wage with your physical body, because it's a spiritual war happening deep within your innermost being.

This idea that "flesh and blood" is merely a metonym for the human race isn't accurate. We do wrestle against other humans, but not (hopefully) in any physical way. Almost all of our battles, large and small, have to do with dealing with the fallen race of man, ourselves included in that mix. We are urged to pray for our enemies. Who are they? Evil spirits or human people? We are commanded to forgive our enemies. Who are they? Evil spirits or human people.

This idea that the Devil is the only real enemy in the world, and that no humans, per se, are enemies to the church, isn't accurate. Alexander the Silversmith did Paul much evil. Alex was an enemy to Paul and the Apostolic mission of Christ (2 Timothy 4:14). The Galatians had become Paul's enemies simply because he had told them the truth (Galatians 4:6). At the end of the Apocalypse, the Devil doesn't simply wage war against God all by his lonesome (Revelation 20:7-8). After God smokes them all, and they stand in their judgment later in the chapter, do you suppose "the devil made me do it" is going to work with Jesus? No, these people were more than happy to try and swarm the Lord and His Bride, because they are enemies to God's people.

So are they whose gods are their bellies (Philippians 3:18-19). The Psalms are replete with references to human adversaries constantly working against the people of God, or of David the King, specifically (and so, prophetically of the Son of David).

The armor of God, and their symbolic representations, therefore, are for the benefit of your soul (e.g. salvation, righteousness, truth, peace, faith). These things are designed to protect and save you, first and foremost, from yourself, when otherwise left to your carnal devices.

But also, they protect and save you from the carnal devices of others who would who try and lay claim to you, to make ownership or merchandise of you, so as to try and get you to blaspheme and renounce Christ, just like all of the 1st to 3rd century persecutions under the auspices of Rome were designed to get Christian believers to include the Caesar in their worship.

When God saves someone, Christ's name is written in blood on his or her adoption papers. God alone owns you as His (1 Corinthians 6:20). This "bought with a price" concept speaks to possession. God OWNS you. If so, no one else can lay claim to you, not even you, yourself.

So, no Christian is ever possessed by anything or anyone other than the Lord Himself, or they are not a Christian.

As far as oppression goes, that only occurs when a saint has been living like a sinner, walking in condemnation and darkness, not repenting and getting right, rejecting sobriety and being vigilant. Such things are obvious indications that a person is allowing the war for their soul to be won against them, through the flesh. You cannot be oppressed by any power whatsoever, unless that power is more powerful than you are, and if you think the devil is more powerful than you and the Holy One living in you, you are walking in a level of defeat and humiliation that is beneath you as the Redeemed of the Lord. You are supposed to be sitting in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3 and 2:6).

Evil spirits don't wander around Christ's throne looking to snatch away God's kids from off His lap. You have to wander off from the shadow of God's wings for that to happen.

Now, I will say that sometimes, as a matter of testing, of the trials God desires we go through and pass, he may permit us an opportunity to encounter an evil spirit or two or ten along the way. But the goal there isn't to let the devil overpower us and make us cave into its whims, but to strengthen us and help us learn something we might not otherwise be able to understand. Otherwise, or rather, apart from that, it's 1 John 5:18,

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

If you are not sinning, and are begotten of God, and are keeping yourself, no evil spirit can touch you.