by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2011 www.holyspiritpress.org www.eaglesnestfoundation.org
God is Sovereign. He is Supreme. He is Victor and Conqueror. He and all those who are with Him win….in the end (and for all eternity.) However, we must be aware that while “in the temporary tents of our bodies” there is evil all around us. Evil is anything which is not of God. For if we are not of God and with God, then whether by default or on purpose we are against Him.
Evil often masquerades and exalts itself as good and right, though it represents a lie because it is contrary to God’s way. Evil seeks to fool and makes fools of those who come into agreement with it.
Evil is rooted in deceit and exaltation of self, creating its own wisdom and declaring this false wisdom as truth. Evil is fueled by God’s supernatural adversary who puts his supernatural power behind all things which are not God’s way in an attempt to broaden the influence of his own supernatural spiritual kingdom. The supernatural nature of evil cannot be seen with our natural eyes, for as we have learned as Christians, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places.
God’s supernatural is always more powerful and conquering over that of the adversary. However, we are not supernatural and therefore need God with us in order to defeat that which comes against us.
Knowing at its root our battles are supernatural and spiritual, many of us have worshipped God as He has asked. We know worship causes Him to release His power into our circumstances. We have prayed without ceasing. We know prayer invites release of His power with His answer. Yet though we have sought to assault evil spiritually from our victorious position in Christ as Redeemer, still in our communities and homes evil can lurk seemingly unscathed.
This is because evil is not conquered by worship and prayer alone. Worship causes us to enter into the Dwelling Place of God where we are in Him as He is in us. Worship adores God, acknowledging His rightful place as Leader over our lives and welcomes Him, inviting His presence and strategy. Prayer partners with God for His perfect purposes and will to be realized and the Holy Spirit responds to prayer by moving situations and people into perfect position. But the deliverance from evil does not just happen, though God has set everything in place to make it available. Deliverance must be reached for and grabbed. Like a gift set before us, it must be opened and received to have its intended effect on the recipient.
Thus the final element to the conquering of evil in our society, and the deliverance (the setting free) of individuals and whole areas from it, is the free will of each individual involved.
Those who are already free from a specific evil in our society, need to stand against it – not in condemnation, criticism and hate, but in firmness and unwavering conviction which finds its root in love of God and wanting His Way. We worship, pray and act and as the Holy Spirit touches those around us in response they each receive opportunity to choose God and His Way as well. God responds to the worship and intercession of those who love Him and are already free by charging the atmosphere with the power of His Spirit and putting the people in place to offer opportunity for those who are not yet free of evil’s grip to grab the hand of another and find their way out.
Though the foundation of worship and intercession preceding action is vital because it places us under God’s covering and gives us His strategy (and His supreme power to execute it), the people surrounded and effected by the evil individually must choose God’s path, which Jesus illuminates as He shines His light through us in their dark places. Unless they so choose, the Conqueror, Jesus Christ, will not assert His conquering, healing, restorative power into their lives, but will respect their free will. Thus in the end, God does not let evil win. The individual does. Every individual has a free will choice which must be exercised to decide whether or not to allow that which is evil to continue to exist in his or her life.
For each person who chooses God, if he or she then will press into learn to hear His Spirit’s voice, He will guide the individual in all things, including leading him or her out of any remaining bondage and into the freedom He always intended for that individual. In so doing, evil in whole regions will be defeated, one consecrated worshipping, praying, Christ-following life at a time.
EPHESIANS 6:10-18 (Amplified)
10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Selah! [Pause, and calmly think of that!]
END
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.
