Would you be surprised to learn that the world’s most successful pornographer isn’t Hugh Hefner or Larry Flynt? The chief pornographer is Satan. Actually, he’s behind the whole industry.
All-out war has been declared on the family, the home, the nation, and your heart. There’s a cosmic battle taking place.
The apostle Paul fought it both in Ephesus and Corinth—cesspools of first century immorality. Yet God raised up outposts there of spirit-filled saints who lived in victory. Paul says—
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us….” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
—then immediately speaks of purity:
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you….Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting…. For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…. Be not therefore partakers with them…. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (v. 3-7, 11-12)
Love and lust are direct opposites. Pornography erodes the love which is the heart of the family. The family is the only part of the Garden of Eden that we have left. Therefore Satan wars against the family.
Unless you learn spiritual warfare, you’re going to lose the battle. Paul gives us clear direction:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Satan is waging guerilla warfare. We must counterattack under our Commander in Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. I call you to battle for your family. Fathers, you especially must guard your hearts and protect your home.
Know your enemy. He is…
A DECIDED FACT
Never underestimate Satan. Never say he doesn’t exist or is just a figure of speech. He wants to pull a veil of darkness over his kingdom. If we don’t recognize Satan behind the attacks, we won’t be prepared.
We often sing “He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me….” But there’s another song we could sing. “He lives, he lives, Satan lives today. He wars on me and works on me...”
A DESTRUCTIVE FORCE
He is systematic. Underscore the word “wiles” in verse 11. The Greek word is methodeia. Satan methodically goes about to seduce you and your children. He‘s behind Hollywood, the networks, the sitcoms and the Internet. Paul says, “We’re not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
He is spiritual. What? Spiritual? Yes.
For we wrestle…against (what kind of wickedness?) spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Our real battle is not with pornographers, Hollywood, X-rated movies, or online purveyors of filth, but a sinister enemy who is spiritual and invisible. As long as you’re fighting “flesh and blood,” you’re not going to win.
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
He is strong. I don’t care who you are, you don’t have what it takes to win this battle. He knows where your weakness is. If you try any way other than depending on the Holy Spirit, you’re going down, because Satan is greater than you are.
He’s also sinister. Satan has no mercy on your family, your husband, your wife, your child. He’s the source of “spiritual wickedness,” chief among “rulers of darkness.”
A DEFEATED FOE
ButSatan had his back broken at Calvary. Soon his head will be crushed when Jesus comes again. “Greater is He that is in you than he that’s in the world.”
(I John 4:4)
Satan hopes you never learn that—
Next time we’ll study our “mighty-through-God” weapons and learn how to put on the armor. If you want to get a head start, read Ephesians 6:10-18.
