The spirit world is real. Sometimes we forget that in our physical, material westernized lives. Everyone in this world has a perspective regarding the spirit world, regarding those things that are unseen around us each day. Some choose or by default simply ignore the existence of an in material world a spirit world angels demons. These people may live in ignorance of what is going on unseen around them, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is still invisible activity. Others choose to manipulate or attempt to manipulate the spirit world. They think it’s something to be trifled with, something to have fun with. Maybe parlor tricks, or casual entertainment.
11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
I Samuel 28:11 ESV
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
Acts 19:13 ESV
A third group may actively seek out the power of the spirit world. They might not fully understand what they are playing with, but they recognize that there is some legitimate power present in the invisible world around them. Saul fell into this group at one time as he sought to converse with Samuel even after he had died. Then there were the magicians in Acts as well that tried to replicate what they had seen Jesus and Paul do, but they did not understand what they were really dealing with.
And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. (I Samuel 28:3 ESV)
9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” (I Samuel 28:9)
There may be other perspectives or hybrids of these I described, but there are also those that understand the spirit world and hold it in its appropriate place. Not one to be manipulated, not one to merely seek the power of, and definitely not one to ignore.
It is easy to go about my normal life, and forget that there is a spiritual realm swirling around me. But if I truly believe that it exists, it should impact the way that I live. It should drive me to my knees in prayer. It should give me boldness to speak out against evil. It should bolster my faith as I know that God is in control. I have sometimes felt fear of the power of Satan and his demons, ignoring the greater power of God and his angels. God has not given us a spirit of fear.
17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Acts 19:17-20 ESV
As we march into their territory, we should expect push-back. “No small disturbance “ (Acts 19:23) is likely the understatement of the decade. Paul had just preached to everyone in Asia! Response to the gospel was dramatic and changing lives and altering societal norms. God was on the move, and Satan’s forces would not keep quiet. Paul acted wisely and stayed away when the crowd turned riotous. A town clerk ended up speaking reason and restoring order and ministry could resume.
God is awesomely powerful and we should not step foot into our daily lives without walking in the strength of that truth.
Lord, help me not to forget the activity around me each day that is mostly invisible to me. Give me greater faith to pray intentionally and trust you regardless of the outcome. I recognize that you are in control. I also realize that although you have all authority, you also at time choose to let sin run its course in this broken world we live in. I trust you with the outcomes and praise you, the One above all. In Jesus name amen
Erin (6intow)
Sixty-six books in a year 