Even in the Creation of the Universe and of All Things, Scripture By Unmistakable Marks Distinguishes the True God From False Gods.
Section 13: Scripture Forearms Us Against the Adversary.
Contrary to much popular contemporary belief, we do not know much about devils. "All that Scripture teaches concerning devils aims at arousing us to take precaution against their stratagems and contrivances, and also to make us equip ourselves with those weapons which are strong and powerful enough to vanquish these most powerful foes." We must rest securely in faith and trust in the power of God alone to deliver us from the attacks of our enemy.
Section 14: The Realm of Wickedness.
There is not only one enemy, but "great armies, which wage war on us." We are reminded of this so we do not relax our watch and become idle in this struggle.
Section 15: An Irreconcilable Struggle.
The fact that these are enemies of God demands of us that we oppose them as well. "For if we have God's glory at heart, as we should have, we ought with all our strength to contend against him who is trying to extinguish it." He is "in nature depraved, evil, and malicious."
Section 16: The Devil Is a Degenerate Creation of God.
The devil was not so created, but became so "from his perversion." He is so as the result of his rebellion and fall. This is so because God did not create evil. The Scriptures pass over teaching us much about these fallen devils because it does not concern us overly much. Here is Calvin's summary of the biblical teaching on the matter:
"They were when first created angels of God, but by degeneration they ruined themselves, became the instruments of ruin for others. Because this is profitable to know, it is plainly taught in Peter and Jude. God did not spare those angels who sinned and kept not their original nature, but left their abode. And Paul, in speaking of the 'elect angels,' [1 Timothy 5:21] is no doubt tacitly contrasting them with the reprobate angels."
Section 17: The Devil Stands Under God's Power.
Satan is not himself free, but is under the control of God who can use him for his service. This does not refer to Satan's will, which is always in opposition to God, but to his actions, his effects. He wills to work against God, but to do so he must do certain deeds. These deeds he does are not done of his own free will but are done within the parameters God sets out for him, being held in check by a bridle.
Section 18: Assurance of Victory!
Because God is in control, no matter how hard the foe may press a believer, they will never conquer or crush him. Their only power is over the wicked "as if they were slaves for every shameful act." The devil has been conquered, Satan defeated--it has just not yet been fully manifested. "To the extent that Christ's Kingdom is upbuilt, Satan with his power falls," for God will not allow Satan to have power over believers, but only over the wicked.
Section 19: Devils Are Not Thoughts, But Actualities.
Just as obedient angels are much more than thoughts or impulses in the mind of God, so fallen devils are more than just "evil emotions or perturbations which come upon us from our flesh." Scripture clearly speaks of these devils as actual entities: Jude 6, 9, Matthew 12:43, John 8:44, 1 John 3:8, 10, Job 1:6, 2:1, etc. Such passages would be meaningless if the devil and his followers were not actual existing things but simple evil thoughts.
Thus the godly are equipped against delusions and misconceptions regarding fallen devils, and so are more ready to stand firm against them in the power of God through faith.
______________________________
Reflection: Reading these sections is quite refreshing, actually. The topic is not a nice topic, but when so many people seem to have really strange ideas about demons and devils, it is good to go back to Scripture to see what we are taught about them from the highest authority. We want to guard ourselves from making two major errors:
(1) We can think too much of these things and be lead into despair. If we ascribe to the devil and his dominion too much power and authority, we can despair of ever opposing them. If there are demons and devils behind every corner just waiting to trip us up (which there may be), and these demons are given much more power than they actually have, then we will live in constant terror of falling to their plots and traps. Here the doctrine of the perseverance (or preservation) of the saints is a great comfort. We must always consider these things in light of God's revelation of himself, and he has revealed that he is almighty, all powerful, so no opposing power can stand before him.
(2) The other error we can make is to think too little of the forces opposing God. We cannot elevate them above their place, but neither should we make light of them. They are opposition to the glory of God. They are powerful insofar as they are permitted to do things by God's control. Just because we have conquered in Christ does not mean that the devil and his dominion no longer have any power--if we are not careful we can still be lured away (albeit temporarily in the case of the elect) by their wiles. We must watch ourselves carefully and guard ourselves always.
For a good discussion of these things from a very practical perspective, Rev. Witteveen has an article on demons on Prince George Mission website (along with a lot of other good stuff). You can find the article by clicking this link.
No comments:
Post a Comment