That and so much more is only possible because of God's power! And because He is all-powerful, Jesus has been enthroned above all, and has authority over all, including Satan's realm.
This is so important for us to know so that we may have confidence...
(Ephesians 1:13-22) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
All unbelievers walk in sin and death according to Satan. And through his dominion, unbelievers are guided by his spirit/s of disobedience.
Notice how Satan mocks God by copying what the Holy Spirit does; only Satan's spirit is one of death, destruction and disobedience, while God gives us eternal life, love and peace...
(Ephesians 2:1-10) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:14-22) For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
From this we see:
- Jesus is enthroned far above all else, and has authority over everything, including Satan's domain (Eph 1:20-22)
- the spirit of wisdom is given to believers (Eph.1:17)
- because God is working in us, through us believers, God's wisdom will be demonstrated to the entire spiritual realm (Eph.3:10)
- unbelievers walk in death, sin and anger according to Satan, and through his dominion they are guided by his spirit/s of disobedience, which mocks how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers (Eph.2:2-3)
Personal experience: even though it would be and should be so simple to live in God's will - as much effort as it takes to seek out the wisdom, guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit - which would then mean LESS effort for a person to enjoy that wisdom, guidance and power - - - it is that much easier to unwittingly seek out the wisdom, guidance and power of the flesh, which is invariably part of Satan's will.
Scientology is a great example of this. Whether they realize it or not, they are looking to and believing in Satan's lies.
Scientologists believe that people are gods - or - have that potential. If everyone would reach the highest level of realization, they would achieve that status, and then the entire planet would be "cleared" (their term for getting rid of whatever they feel is wrong). They would never be sick. They would live forever. They would even be able to move things with just mind-control.
Interestingly, when their religious-cult-leader and founder died of a stroke, the "church" made the big, happy announcement that because L. Ron Hubbard no longer needed his body, he chose to discard it so that he could move on to do bigger and better things.
People love the idea of having special powers in order to have complete control of things; but if you have seen any of the documentaries hosted by Leah Remini, you will have seen the personal destruction and devastation that goes hand-in-hand with this cult.
Even after spending hours a day working through all their books and courses, spending on average a quarter of a million dollars per person - they still get sick, they still die, and they control nothing! In fact, they are emotional prisoners. And very often even physical prisoners. THEY themselves are being controlled.
Just to give you a BIT of an idea:
- they are not allowed to watch the news, or go onto the internet, or have any real contact with anyone who opposes their belief system because those people are considered suppressants
- if they join the Sea Org which requires a signed pledge of one billion years, they must do whatever they are assigned and work most of their waking hours of every single day
- until a few years ago, if any woman in the Sea Org got pregnant, they were forced to have an abortion, because children are a distraction
- children at the best of times are considered (tiny) adults themselves and are put to work as soon as possible
- the child-parent relationship is considered to be a false dynamic, because he real parent is Scientology, therefore it is okay for a child to be neglected or taken away from the family in order to serve the organization at a very young age.
Anyone who has dared to escape and speak out, will say that it all looked so good in the beginning. They thought they had found real purpose in their life. But as they continued on in this cult, they would see more and more inconsistencies - witnessing hatred, violence and false accusations - they succumbed to feelings of frustration, worthlessness and helplessness, while living in fear, poverty and anxiety...
Today's takeaway: as believers, we already have God working in us and through us! There are so many blessings that are ours right now, why would we want to even turn to look the other way?...
(Ephesians 3:8-21) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
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