This post is a follow-up message from Pastor Ben's sermon entitled "Save Now". [Watch video]

Where was Satan during Holy week? When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Satan did not turn tail and run. During that week, I believe he marshaled all His demonic forces in an attempt to destroy the Messiah and keep Him from fulfilling His mission from Heaven.

As we parallel Holy Week in our own lives, and seek to focus on God’s glory through prayer, fasting, evangelism and outreach, we can expect opposition as well. Whenever God’s people get serious about seeking Him, He responds and answers their prayers. But we also need to be aware than when we intensify our devotion to God, Satan intensifies His opposition.

There is a spiritual battle that rages around us and in us. This week, Holy Week, the week of Christ’s passion, is a time of intensified battle. Don’t be surprised therefore, if as you are contemplating Christ’s suffering this week, that you also suffer. Don’t be surprised if things doesn’t go just as you planned. Don’t be surprised if temptations arise. Don’t be surprised if you get annoyed, distracted, discouraged by little things that pull you away form your purpose of seeking God. Satan is a liar, a schemer, and knows your weaknesses. He will do everything in His power to keep you from praying, reading your Bible, reaching out to friends and neighbors for Easter. He’ll do anything to keep you from being a worshiper of God.

But here’s the rub: he is already defeated. The night before He went to the cross, Jesus said, “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31). His final judgment will not take place until the end of the age, but Christ’s death and resurrection defeated him. Until Christ returns, Satan is a defeated and wounded enemy, and the battle rages on. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

However, we cannot be passive in this battle. We are told by James, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). A number of passages in the New Testament give us these key concepts for spiritual battle:

Resist

Draw near

Be on the alert

Stand firm

Pray

All of these are active, and all are our responsibility. Practice them diligently the remainder of Holy Week. Notice particularly the last one, Pray!  Prayer is how we connect to God and declare our dependance on Him for His victory. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:20).

We’ll hear more on this subject beginning April 23 when we begin our new series, A Mighty Fortress, based on Ephesians 6:10-24. This will bring our study of Ephesians to a close as we learn about spiritual warfare and the armor of God.