Sunday 14th June, Father Mark gave us all something to think about, Ready for this weeks conclusion? WHERE THERE IS GOD, THERE IS THE DEVIL

Father Paris Haines.

WHERE THERE IS GOD, THERE IS THE DEVIL

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:12"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

We live in a world that often acknowledges God when it is convenient but ignores the reality of spiritual evil when it becomes uncomfortable.

Consider the court of law. A witness may be asked to swear an oath before God, promising to tell the truth. The very act recognizes that there is a higher authority above human judges. It acknowledges that God sees what man cannot see and knows what man cannot know.

Yet if someone were to speak of demonic oppression, spiritual warfare, or the influence of evil spirits, many would dismiss such testimony as superstition or imagination. Society is often willing to accept the existence of God as a symbol of morality, but unwilling to acknowledge the reality of the devil as described in Scripture.

The Bible presents a different picture.

From the beginning, where God was at work, the enemy was also present. In the Garden of Eden, God created perfection, and Satan appeared as the serpent to bring deception. When God called Moses to deliver Israel, Pharaoh's magicians opposed the work of God. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. Wherever God's kingdom advances, the kingdom of darkness resists.

This should not surprise us.

The devil is real, not equal to God, not more powerful than God, but real nonetheless. Jesus spoke of him. The apostles warned about him. The Scriptures reveal his schemes. To believe in God while denying the existence of spiritual evil is to accept only half of the biblical message.

Yet we must be careful. Christians are not called to fear the devil. We are called to resist him. The devil is not sovereign; God is sovereign. The devil is not victorious; Christ is victorious.

At the cross, Jesus confronted the powers of darkness and triumphed over them. At the resurrection, He demonstrated that life is greater than death, light is greater than darkness, and truth is greater than deception.

Therefore, our focus should never be on magnifying the devil. Our focus must remain on Christ.

Yes, evil exists.

Yes, spiritual warfare is real.

Yes, there are forces that seek to draw humanity away from God.

But there is a greater truth: Jesus Christ is Lord.

When the world recognizes God only in ceremony but ignores the spiritual battle described in Scripture, believers must remain grounded in the whole counsel of God's Word. We must acknowledge both the reality of God and the reality of the enemy, while remembering that God alone is worthy of worship, trust, and obedience.

So let us put on the whole armor of God. Let us walk in truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer. Let us not be ignorant of the enemy's devices, nor be consumed by fear of them.

For where darkness appears, the light of Christ shines brighter still.

And where God reigns, no power of hell can overcome His eternal purpose.

Amen.