I’ve been getting quite far into thinking about this recently.
I figured I’d more broadly share my observations.
You can read the comment I posted at Mike Ratliff’s blog on his recent article.
“Apostates are intellectually arrogant and spiritually ignorant because Satan has blinded them.“
Interestingly, I’m working through the 68 sermons that Dr. MLJ Preached some 60 years ago…they are free on the MLJtrust.org website, all nicely organized with some notes and Q&A. He just mentioned “Satan’s blinding”.
I’m trying to figure out if Heaven, the gospel and Satan, can be discussed with all my wife’s family at our Thanksgiving extended gathering….three families came out of the Catholic faith by college age, and their six kids grew up in “Christian” homes. But beliefs and practices are all over the place……
I’m reading a book a friend gave me about the Unseen Realm, and thought I’m not perfectly in agreement with the author’s presentation….it is clarifying that there is a Spiritual Realm.
BTW, I don’t think Satan can actually blind the “Elect”. But it is possible to see and even seem to know Jesus but not truly believe and be saved…….
John 6:36-40 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
And these are some random notes I took and sent to couple who asked me to read and comment on the Heiser Book on The Unseen Realm. (Note…most of these are really the Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones sermons related to that Realm)
As for Heiser, I still see issues but he certainly is useful in bringing our thinking about the Unseen Realm into a more significant focus…And since starting to read it I’m seeing examples everywhere in the Bible. These 60 year old Dr. MLJ sermons have some very practical application of the importance of understanding evidence we read in the Bible on the subject. Dr. Jones clearly teaches about this dark side of the spiritual world…even if we can’t fully understand it, we probably need to recognize it actually is present…..
If you want to add to your Heiser readings, here is a link to the MLJTrust free sermons, on commercials but they each run 45min+. Like I said we listen while driving. But one could just have a glass of wine and sit comfortably and listen, might be even better since you could stop and look up verses. Each sermon has some notes, and Q&A. I decided to capture some of those where these Spiritual dimensions are discussed. Maybe it’s useful….might be worth reading. I took these from 2-3 of his sermons.
The apostle Paul says that Christians wrestle not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. At the levels of the individual and national, this world is the arena of spiritual conflict. The devil and demonic powers are at work together with the pride, greed, and lusts of people to usurp God’s authority. God has responded to this demonic influence by instituting human government to restrain and punish evil.
The Bible teaches that the ultimate cause of wars is spiritual, not merely human or economic. Wars are the result of the devil and evil spiritual forces operating in the world.
The devil causes wars by promoting lawlessness, pride, greed, selfishness, and distrust between people and nations.
The devil not only generally promotes sin and evil, but sometimes directly inspires demonic leaders like Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, and Hitler.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the fundamental cause of wars?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the fundamental cause of wars is not merely human, economic, or political factors. Rather, it is “entirely the result of the operation of the devil and the principalities and powers, the rulers, the world rulers of this darkness, this spiritual wickedness in high places.” He emphasizes that “the Bible is concerned about root causes,” not just symptoms. The devil’s primary goal is to “bring in confusion and to bring in chaos” by producing lawlessness, pride, greed, and selfishness among individuals and nations. These spiritual forces work behind the scenes to stimulate conflict and war.
What is the “demonic element” that Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses in relation to war?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the “demonic element” as something beyond mere evil or selfishness. It manifests when individuals or systems demand worship, total allegiance, and complete control over the minds of men. He cites examples like Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, and Roman emperors who “set themselves up as gods” and “demanded worship.” In modern times, he identifies this element in Hitler, who “demanded a kind of personal attitude of worship and of adoration,” and in communism, which “claims a right over man’s thinking” and demands “totalitarian allegiance.” This demonic quality represents a step beyond ordinary human evil.
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ view on human efforts to create lasting peace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is deeply skeptical of human efforts to create lasting peace. He calls the optimism that followed World War I “fetuous and ridiculous,” including the belief that the League of Nations would end war. He states: “A man who believes that any league or union or organization is going to banish war is a man who’s never understood the spiritual teaching of the Bible.”
He asserts: “Man will never introduce an era of peace. We are not promised it. The Bible says we’ll never have it as long as man is in sin.” While acknowledging this view might seem pessimistic, he insists it’s realistic. The only true hope for peace lies in Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom when “wars shall be no more” and “swords will indeed be turned into plowshares.”
The devil attacks man’s mind. He blinds people to the truth of God. He causes bitterness, hatred, and animosity towards God and the Gospel.
The devil insinuates doubts into people’s minds. He has done this since the beginning, tempting people to doubt God and His Word.
The devil overwhelms people with fear to lead them into denial of God. He frightens people away from following God’s will.
The devil promotes false teachings and doctrines to lead people astray. He tries to detract from the glory of Christ and confuse people about the truth.
The devil hurls evil thoughts and imaginations at people to make them miserable and captive. These thoughts are not from us but from the devil.
The devil holds people captive through irrational fears and phobias. A world without Christ is a world filled with fear.
The devil causes depression, discouragement, and a sense of hopelessness. He makes us focus on ourselves and our failures to make us feel unworthy and like failures.
The devil puffs people up with pride which leads to many sins like jealousy, envy, and oversensitivity. Pride has caused much damage in the church.
The devil plays upon man’s moral nature by tempting him with lusts, passions, and evil desires.
The devil has the power to inflict physical suffering, sickness, disease, and bodily harm. Not all suffering is from the devil, but some is.
What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones identify as the nature of our spiritual conflict?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, we are engaged in a spiritual conflict that’s not merely against human beings (“flesh and blood”) but against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). He emphasizes that “everybody has this conflict, but only those who are Christian are aware of it.” The preacher clarifies that the problem of the world is not primarily about human struggles but about these unseen spiritual forces.
What is the origin of evil according to Lloyd-Jones’ sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that evil originated from “a great precosmic fall” that occurred before the world and mankind were created. This was a fall in the angelic realm, which resulted in Satan, the devil, fallen angels, demons, and evil spirits coming into being. Subsequently, when God created the world and mankind, this enemy came in and caused man to fall through his subtlety and wiles, resulting in man being “subjugated by the devil” and placed “in the dominion of Satan in the kingdom of the devil, the kingdom of darkness.”
How does the devil exercise power over nature according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the devil has some power over nature itself, as evidenced in the book of Job. He points to examples where Satan was given permission to cause lightning to strike and burn up Job’s sheep and servants, and to send a great wind (hurricane) that killed Job’s children. The preacher clarifies that the Bible doesn’t teach that all natural phenomena like lightning and storms are the devil’s work, but that sometimes they can be. He also mentions power over animals, referring to the case of the Gadarene swine.
What methods does Satan use to attack human minds according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Satan attacks human minds in several ways: 1. Blinding minds to the truth of God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) 2. Creating bitter hostility toward Christian truth 3. Insinuating doubts (as with Eve in Genesis 3) 4. Overwhelming with a spirit of fear (like Peter denying Christ) 5. Promoting false teachings (“doctrines of devils”) 6. Attacking with evil thoughts and imaginations 7. Creating irrational fears and phobias 8. Causing depression and discouragement 9. Stimulating pride (as with David numbering Israel) 10. Provoking jealousy and oversensitivity
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the connection between physical ailments and spiritual warfare?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the devil can sometimes affect the human body, though he’s careful to note this isn’t always the case. He cites examples including: 1. Satan smiting Job with boils (Job 2:7) 2. The devil causing dumbness and blindness 3. The woman with a “spirit of infirmity” for 18 years whom “Satan hath bound” (Luke 13) 4. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” described as “a messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7)
The preacher emphasizes he’s not teaching that all illnesses are demonic, but that some “may be the result of the devil’s activity.”
What is the key to understanding history according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that “the only key to history, any sort of history, secular history, as well as this more purely spiritual history that we have in the Bible” is understanding that history “is the record of the conflict between God and his forces and the devil and his forces.” He describes this as “the great controlling principle” which is essential not only for understanding past history but also for comprehending current world events and the future.
What is the devil’s primary objective according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the devil’s “one central object” is “to destroy God’s work.” Having fallen through pride and jealousy of God, the devil is now confined within certain limits, which he hates. To vent his spleen upon God, “his one great concern is to bring disorder into God’s perfect creation.” His main tactic is “to produce confusion, to produce a state of trouble and of chaos.” Above all, “his supreme ambition is to separate men from God and to do everything that lies within his power to hinder men from worshipping God and obeying God and living to the glory of God.”
What protection does Lloyd-Jones recommend against spiritual attacks?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon by emphasizing that there is only one place of safety against these spiritual attacks. Quoting Ephesians 6:10-11, he urges believers to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” and to “take unto you the whole armor of God.” He reminds his listeners that they are facing “a most relentless, subtle, intelligent, powerful foe who can attack you from all quarters,” and the only defense is to “put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”
How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish between temptation and sin?
Lloyd-Jones makes an important distinction between being tempted and actually sinning. He specifically addresses evil thoughts, saying: “The fact that you are tempted by evil thoughts mustn’t lead you to the conclusion that you’re not a Christian.” He explains how to distinguish between our own thoughts and the devil’s attacks: “If you hate them and if you wish that they were not there, they’re not yours. They’re the devil’s.” This distinction offers comfort to believers who might be discouraged by the presence of temptation, helping them understand that temptation itself is not sin.
Is the devil omnipresent according to Lloyd-Jones?
No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explicitly states that the devil is not omnipresent: “I’ve been emphasizing the great power and authority of the devil. But he’s not omnipresent. He isn’t everywhere. God is omnipresent, but the devil cannot be everywhere.” He explains that this is why the devil delegates work to fallen angels, demons, and evil spirits. Lloyd-Jones references Job 1:7 where the devil describes himself as “going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it,” indicating his limited presence.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the true cause of the world’s problems?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the true cause of the world’s problems is not merely human or earthly (flesh and blood), but spiritual forces – specifically “the devil and his unseen forces and powers.” He emphasizes that modern thinkers often focus on symptoms rather than the disease itself. “The ultimate cause” is spiritual, not merely political, social, or educational. The sermon stresses that “the problem is not merely on the human level” but involves “the devil, principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.”
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones claim his message about spiritual warfare is more relevant than political discussions?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones claims this message is more relevant than political discussions because it addresses the root cause rather than symptoms. He states: “What I am going to say is more relevant to the condition of the world at this hour than all talk about politics and international relationships and everything in which the statesmen and their followers indulge.” He compares modern political solutions to “medicating the symptoms” while ignoring the underlying disease. The church alone can identify the true cause of world problems, which makes this message uniquely relevant and important.
What does the phrase “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” mean in this sermon?
In this sermon, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” means that our primary struggle as Christians is not merely against human opponents or earthly powers. Lloyd-Jones explains that “flesh and blood” here refers to “human nature” or “men” – it means our problem “is not merely a human, earthly problem. It’s much higher than that, and therefore much more difficult.” The phrase indicates that our real battle is against spiritual powers – “principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places” – rather than merely against other people.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the evolutionary and educational approach to solving world problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones dismisses the evolutionary and educational approach as inadequate because it fails to recognize the spiritual dimension of our problems. He states that this view claims: “if only you can teach people and educate them and teach them how to reason… there’ll never be another war.” He finds it “almost beyond understanding that anybody who looks at the modern world and reads a newspaper can still go on believing that,” noting that even educated, cultured people still “fail drastically” in their personal lives. This approach is fundamentally flawed because it assumes problems are merely human rather than spiritual.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe a person cannot truly understand salvation without believing in the devil?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that “a belief in the devil and his forces is absolutely essential to a true understanding of the biblical doctrine of salvation.” Without recognizing the devil, one cannot understand why Christ had to come or what He was accomplishing on the cross. He cites Paul’s teaching that on the cross, Christ was “putting principalities and powers to an open shame, triumphing over them in it.” Without believing in spiritual warfare, one has merely “a little psychological treatment” rather than true understanding of salvation, including Christ’s temptations, conflicts, and victory over demonic powers.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by “the whole armor of God”?
While Dr. Lloyd-Jones doesn’t elaborate extensively on the specific pieces of armor in this particular sermon, he emphasizes that “the whole armor of God” represents the complete spiritual protection and resources God provides for believers to withstand spiritual attacks. He stresses that we need “every part and portion of it” and that Christianity is “complete” and “entire” – “it doesn’t need any help or assistance.” The armor enables believers to “withstand in the evil day” and, “having done all, to stand” against the devil’s schemes. It represents God’s provision for victory in spiritual warfare.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect biblical authority with belief in the devil?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that rejecting the devil’s existence actually reveals a deeper problem with biblical authority. He states: “The problem rarely is not a belief in the devil. It’s a belief in the authority of the scripture.” He points out the inconsistency of those who claim to believe in God or the Holy Spirit while rejecting the devil, noting that teaching about the devil is “an essential, vital part of the biblical teaching… found everywhere from Genesis to Revelation.” Jesus himself taught about the devil. Therefore, rejecting the devil means placing one’s own reason above biblical authority.
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Rainbow Trout 