We Have the Holy Spirit to Fight Against the Forces of EvilMarch 6, 2019 • Rev. Scott T. Holcombe  • BISHOP'S SERMONS • DIOCESAN FAMILY

© Jorisvo

First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Lectionary C

Rethinking the power of darkness … from Luke 4:1-13

…Tempted by the devil…the devil led him…The devil said to him…The devil took him…the devil departed from him until an opportune time…

Many people will hear these words and pass them off as archaic, outdated myth that have no place in our modern, enlightened, hi-tech society. I totally disagree. When we disregard the scriptural instruction and warnings against the devil, Satan, evil and the powers of darkness, we expose ourselves to defenseless spiritual warfare.

Woven into the fabric of our faith and the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, we find truths about this often neglected world of darkness and evil. In the adult baptism liturgy, we find:

  • Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
  • Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
  • Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

 

And in the Catechism, we read:

Q. What is redemption?
A. Redemption is the act of God which sets us free from the power of evil, sin, and death.

Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:12

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

When we neglect the power and influence of Satan, the devil, and the spiritual forces of evil, we find ourselves vulnerable and surprised when such attacks occur. Taking these truths seriously prepares us to combat them when the time of spiritual warfare begins.

We have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, the prayers of the believing community, the authority of the risen Christ and God-breathed sacred Scripture to guide us in our fight against the forces of evil. Let us never forget that Satan attacks at points of vulnerability, just like he did in the temptation story.  Be aware of his attempts to wound or discredit those who seek to honor the Lord Jesus Christ.

– The Rev. Scott T. Holcombe is rector of St. David’s by-the-Sea in Cocoa Beach.