The Real Battleground - Part Seven
by Darryl Robbins

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.  (Matt. 12: 9-10, 13, 14)

This particular scripture reference was presented earlier in Part Five. We presented it at the time for your reading and consideration. We're going to touch on it briefly in order to introduce into the study a couple of new principles of consistent operation in Satans' kingdom.

When Jesus was asked by those in the synagogue about healing on the sabbath, their motive for doing so was not out of great concern for the sick and suffering. Their cold religious hearts wanted to bring up the issue so that they might entrap Jesus into saying or doing something that was contrary to the narrow, warped understanding they were in bondage to. In doing so, they would then accuse or be stern judges in regard to Jesus' understanding of the law of Moses. Simply, the wanted to accuse Him of supposed wrongdoing.

It appears that Jesus didn't answer their question,....... not in words anyway. At this point there is some question in my mind as to whether or not Jesus even acknowledged them. Instead, His attention was focused on the man with the withered hand. At the direction of Jesus, the man stretched forth his hand and it was made whole.

Bypassing the question, and no doubt the arguing and debate that would have followed had he answered the question, Jesus simply worked a miracle. I love that. For you see, the wisdom, ways and methods of God is always in direct conflict with dead religious thought and practice.

What Jesus did was simply more than they could stand. The Pharisees, the religious leaders, took council how they might destroy Him.

There we have it. One of the primary weapons of the enemy is accusation with a view toward the destruction of the one being accused. Accuse and destroy.

One question is worthy of an answer at this point. Here it is.

What motivated the people and the religious leaders of the synagogue to seek a way to accuse and conspire to destroy Jesus?

Think about it. Was it because they, by their own make-up and nature were just plain ol' mean, malicious people? Probably not. They were probably, on a day to day basis, good people (at least as far as the goodness that was attainable through their own self-effort).

Truthfully, it all hinges on a principle that we have already studied and looked at. Remember? That everything in the natural, physical realm is servant and slave to the spirit realm. Everything, I mean everything that happens in the realm of the natural is in proportion to and in direct result of what is happening in the realm of the unseen spirit realm.

Can we offer proof? Certainly. Those in the synagogue sought to bring accusation against Jesus, right? The Pharisees plotted to destroy Him, right? In light of that, did you know that one of the distinguishing characteristics of Satan is that He is 'the accuser of the brethren'?  (Rev. 12: 10). Did you also know that his nature is that of a thief who desires to steal, kill and destroy?   (John 10: 10)

The religious crowd was in fact operating under the influence of the spirits of darkness, or to put it plainly, demonic influence.

Throughout the public ministry of Jesus we can see the influence of spiritual entities, demons if you will. at work in the lives of individuals as they attempted to put an end to the ministry of the man called Jesus.

We will cite a few examples from scripture. We will not comment on these since they are pretty well self explanatory. I really urge you to take the time to read them.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.  (Matt. 16: 21-23)

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.   (Matt. 26: 3-4)

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.  (Mk. 14:1)

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, (Lk. 4: 28-30)

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.  (Lk. 19: 45-48)

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.   (Lk. 20: 19-20)

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.   (Lk. 22: 1-6)

Then he (Herod) questioned with him in many words; but he (Jesus) answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.  (Lk 23: 9-10)

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.  (John 5: 15-18)

They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If you were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.  (John 8: 33,37-46, 59)

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.   (Matt. 12: 9-10, 13, 14)

The scriptures are very plain. Jesus was constantly confronted by the enemy during his life and ministry. In the wilderness temptation, He was approached and tempted by Satan himself in a direct way. As you read the references you can also see how that Satan also uses people to accomplish his purpose.

Time does not permit us in this study to call into account all of the people that were delivered and set free of demonic possession and oppression during his ministry. That is a study within itself.

With this article, we bring to a close The Real Battleground series. Hope you've enjoyed it and found the information to be helpful. I hope you can see the real enemy that was at work in the life of Jesus. Often operating behind the scenes and in the lives of other people, it is evident that Satan intended to destroy Jesus and His divine purpose while on earth. Thank God he failed.

You need to know and understand that as a person and especially as a Christian believer that the Devil hates and despises you. You are the object of God's unfailing love and redemption. You are special and important to the Lord.

Since there is not much the enemy can do to God directly, he turns his attention, wrath, jealousy, anger, hatred, vengeance, and attempts at destruction toward you, the object of God's grace and love. Like it or not, you are in a real battle, a spiritual battle. If you ignore it, you will become a casualty of war. You may die prematurely. You may experience loss, hurt, sickness and heartache. It need not be. If you are of the maturity and caliber I think you are, the battle can be won. We can fight a good fight. We must do so.

If you are interested in some practical applications of spiritual warfare in your own life and the lives of others that you love and care about, then you will want to read the sections on Going To War. I promise it will be worth your time. See you there.

Going to War - Coming Soon