How Do Evil Spirits Gain Power?

How Do Evil Spirits Gain Power?

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.”

We can see that God’s intention is to exalt us. However, it would be futile for Him to exalt us as sinners, being without wisdom. That is why God has to do a work with us. While He is working with us, we feel like it is written: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous.” Heb. 12:11. Those are the very moments—when we need to humble ourselves—when Satan comes with his “care” for us in order to get us to doubt that God cares for us. If we begin to doubt that God cares for us, evil spirits will gain power in our lives. That is quite common, especially when it concerns relationships to other people. It is also the cause of dissolved family relationships and all strife among people. They do not believe in God’s care—that He joins together—and consequently they listen to Satan who is a liar and the father of lies.

We can see this quite clearly in Genesis 3 where we read how sin came into the world. Satan managed to get Eve to doubt God’s care for her, and so he gained power through a lie. On the other hand, Jesus overcame the rulers and authorities through humility, with the result that God was able to exalt Him. Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Col. 2:14-15.

Only those who are humble can see God’s hand when their faith is being tested. 1 Pet. 1:6-7. There is no other way to a tested faith than through sufferings. There is also no other way by which we can be cleansed from egotism. Jesus triumphed over these rulers and authorities on the cross. He says that no one can be His disciple unless he denies himself and takes up his cross daily. The spiritual forces of wickedness are exposed to such humble people.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” “Resist him, steadfast in the faith . . . .” What causes you to be dissatisfied, to be bitter, to lie, etc.? Evil spirits that are gaining power. You do not want to humble yourself, and you do not see God’s hand. You do not acknowledge that you need to cleanse yourself. That is why you are not partaking of His holiness so that He can exalt you in due time. Jesus was perfected through sufferings, and honor is due to those who believe. Heb. 5:8-9; Phil. 4:5; 1 Pet. 2:6-9.