Our Struggle with Evil

Rev Gideon Lee

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are not struggling with flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm with evil forces.

2 Kings 6:8-23

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

12 “None of us, my lord the king ,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”

22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

As I mentioned earlier on, we are at a very crucial time in our country. It has gone through many unprecedented events. We lost an aeroplane. We lost another which was shot down and all on that plane died.  So many planes flew past that place but ours was shot down. Then another from Indonesia, Air Asia that went down. There were many Christians on that plane. This has never happened to any country before. Unprecedented.

Then we had the worst flood in Kelantan. Even those that knew floods were not prepared. They were lost for words. It was terrible.

We even experienced earthquakes in Malaysia. In my 45 years I have never heard of Malaysia having earthquakes. Even until today they are still getting tremors. They say Malaysia is not in the fault lines but I am not sure.

We also had mini tornadoes, twisters. I've never heard of Malaysia having that.

And to compound to that our country is also not doing well economically. Our ringgit has fallen way below the 3.8 when we were having recession. Even in Thailand they won't take Malaysian ringgit. The Thai baht is stronger than our Ringgit.

Our national debt is at its highest. We're also not doing well politically.

It seems as if our country is going through so much that we can easily get discouraged. That's why I title today's message our Struggle with Evil.

What you're seeing happening to the country or politically is just a manifestation of what's happening in the spiritual realm.

I want to challenge all of us. Know that whatever you are facing, see it as something spiritual that we need to counter.

Our battle is not physical and our greatest battle is prayer. That’s why as we enter this 40 days prayer and fasting we are going to see things turn. I believe that.

The king of Aram was against Israel. Because of Elisha, the king could escape all the plans of the enemy. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. The king of Aram was so frustrated that he called a meeting thinking there must be a spy in his midst. One officer stood up and said no traitor. It is Elisha, the prophet of God.

The Bible said he sent a huge army by night and surrounded the whole city. And Elisha's servant was afraid when he saw the army. Elisha told his servant don't be afraid.

So no matter what you are going through, the word is "do not be afraid". He saw with his spiritual eyes. He says the host of heaven are ready to get into battle. That's why he can tell his servants not to be afraid.

Lift up your eyes and see that God is on your side and that there is more on your side than the other side. And Elisha prayed for the servants eyes to be opened and he saw spiritually. There's more on their side than the other side.

The enemy came and what did Elisha do? He prayed. Simple thing only. What did he pray? Lord, make them blind. And the Bible say God did exactly what Elisha asked for.

Whatever your situation is, get on your knees and pray.

The entire blind army led by Elisha was led to Samaria. The king thought the solution was to kill them. They were Blinded and delivered to the doorstep.

But Elisha said these are prisoners of war so he cannot kill them. Elisha prayed to God to let them see again. Elisha said don't touch them but feed them. Prepare a feast.

They achieve peace without shedding a drop of blood. The king would have killed them all but is a dealt it God's way. It is spiritual. Open your eyes. It was a spiritual battle.

Open our eyes that God's help is on the way. When we learn how to pray and fast. It's a spiritual weapon that God has given to the church. We are not praying enough. Take up that challenge to fast and pray and let's see how God move and intervene.

God says to consider our ways. So this morning what we see what is happening in our country try, see nit with our physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes.

When the servant saw that heavenly host before him, his faith increased. Then we are not afraid. The church needs to learn how to use prayer.

Pray and God will know what to do. He is fighting on our behalf.