Paul tells us that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4: 4). Describing the Ephesian believers, Paul points out that they, at one time, were dead in sin and “followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Eph. 2: 2). Disobedience to the gospel is promoted by the devil, who holds unbelievers in spiritual darkness and death. Jesus’ commission to Paul thus makes sense: “To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26: 18).
This age-old conflict is an ongoing, invisible battle for the souls of men and women. In Jesus’ parable of a farmer sowing seed (a metaphor for the Word of God), “the birds came and ate” some of the seed (Mark 4: 4). Jesus interpreted the parable: Satan— through his demonic spirits— comes and snatches away the Word before it can “germinate” and bring the fruit of a changed life. This, I believe, is one reason why Jesus cautioned His disciples against an exuberant zeal concerning their authority over evil spirits. He urged them instead to remember “that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10: 20). The real mission is rescuing unsaved souls from the bondage of unbelief. No wonder frontline evangelism is so tough. No wonder missionaries called to penetrate Islamic, Buddhist or Hindu cultures labor with tears, trials and testing. The enemy, having occupied these cultural territories for generations, has a high interest in holding multitudes captive to his lies.
