Gen. 18:32 π Mk. 16:17 π Lk. 10:17-24 π Rom. 16:20 π 2 Cor. 2:10-11 π Eph. 6:12 π Eph. 6:13 π 1 Pet. 5:8-9
Knowledge also affects faith. The believer must KNOW that it is God's will that evil spirits should be, not only potentially, but actually subject to him as one joined in vital union to the Holy One of God, Who was Victor over them all when He walked on earth, and gave His messengers authority over them through using His Name. (Cf. Lk. 10:17-24; top )
Some of the expressions used in Scripture describing the attitude of the Church, and of individual members of Christ toward the powers of darkness, clearly show God's will and purpose for His people. Paul said that God would "bruise" Satan under the feet of His children ( Rom. 16:20 ); the principalities and powers were to be "wrestled against" ( Eph. 6:12 ) - surely not with a view to their triumph over the Christian; to be "resisted" by a steadfast attitude of faith ( 1 Pet. 5:8-9 ) - surely not by ignoring their presence and workings; "withstood" ( Eph. 6:13 ), in their onslaughts - surely not by ignorance of such attacks; "devices" recognized to be guarded against ( 2 Cor. 2:10-11 ); and "cast out" with the word of command by the authority of the Name of Jesus ( Mk. 16:17; top ), as those who were compelled to go, when a believer identifies himself with their Conqueror, and acts in reliance upon the authority of His Name.
Knowledge again affects the use of the will, in resistance to the enemy. How can the believer take an attitude of resistance to evil spirits in a meeting, unless he has knowledge whether the power in that meeting is Divine or Satanic? The senses also, when acute, are factors in knowledge. If they are dulled by possession, the knowledge necessary actually to read and discern the workings of the powers of darkness is hindered.
KNOWLEDGE GOVERNS PRAYER. Abraham was seeking knowledge as to the conditions upon which God could spare Sodom, when he reverently questioned the Lord about the doomed city. ( Gen. 18:32; top ) He wanted to know God's conditions, before he was able to pray for Sodom.
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