The Battle of the gods

Gary has been teaching on the parallel between Joshua and Ephesians. Stating that we are to be on the offense – taking ground from the enemy just as Joshua and the children of Israel took the land God had given them away from its inhabitants.

Satan has been called “the god of this world” (2Cor4:4). We understand through Pastor Dave’s teachings - “The Born Again Trail” - that the enemy received his authority (and title) from Adam when he sinned. Before that event, Adam could have been considered “the god of this world” because God had placed Adam in dominion over all He had created.

However when Jesus died upon the cross, he “spoiled principalities and powers” (Col.2:15) thus taking back that dominion. But just as Moses was given title over the Promised Land, and Joshua had to conquer the inhabitants to force their submission, the same goes for us. Jesus actions accomplished a transfer of title for the earth (the promised land), and we have to conquer the principalities and powers that continue to rule over regions through darkness.

Joshua wasn’t a king. He was “far above” just as we are “far above principalities and powers” (Eph1:21-23). The kings Joshua fought against had local territories made up of a city and its country side. Joshua was “far above” a local king because he and Israel had been given the whole of Canaan.

Joshua could have been killed by a local king, except that he walked in faith. Acting in faith (obedience to God’s word) permitted God to fight for him and protect him. We too could be taken out by a power of darkness. But if we live by faith “there shall nothing harm thee” (Mk.16:18; Lk10:19).

There is no one like our God. He has no equal among men. He has no equal among the angels of heaven. He has no equal among all creation. Satan himself or any of his following are not equal to God. There is no ‘ying yang’ with God the Father. God is love, and there is no equal entity opposite him.

Furthermore the gods of this earth are not really gods (Gal.4:8). But as Jesus said of us “to whom the word of God came” (Jn10:35), “Ye are gods.” So in one sense we could say that our battle – “not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers” – is a ‘battle of the gods’.

Our battle as rightful heirs of the promised land is against the gods of this earth in the same way Joshua’s battle as rightful heir of The Promised Land was against the kings of Canaan. And because “ye are sons, God has sent the spirit of his Son into your hearts” – the new nature – since we are sons, “then an heir of God through Christ” (Gal4:6-7). Now “this man” is set on the right hand of God remaining there awaiting “till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb10:12-13).

And that is why we are contending for revival!

This is what I saw last night. That we are in a battle of the gods against those evil entities. Many Christians however don't see themselves as being "far above" evil spirits/the enemy/the devil and all his horde. They still see themselves as been 'a worthless worm' - something Satan could squash under his feet. Yet scripture says, "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world."

How does this analogy of 'a battle of the gods' help shift your mindset from one of subjection to one of dominion?!