There are more things in heaven and earth

May 22, 2025 | Live issues, QPUpdate

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

So says Hamlet in the classic Shakespearean tragedy. Shakespeare was not wrong. We are often so entranced by what we can measure and see that we overlook the vast spiritual realities surrounding us. Scripture opens our eyes to a cosmic war in which powers of darkness are resisting the rule of God. Furthermore, it tells us that we, human beings, are present participants in the battle.

Now, before you freak out, remember that the outcome of this war is settled. Jesus wins! The cross has sealed the fate of the powers of darkness for eternity. However, our defeated foes do not roll over and surrender. As they retreat before the victory of the cross, they continue to wreak havoc and destruction on the Earth.

In the conflict, it’s vital that we stand on the truth. In Christ, we are freed from the power of darkness, we are alive in him, relocated from the kingdom of darkness to light (Colossians 1:13) and eternally secure. Our ownership is never at stake, we belong to Jesus. Our authority is beyond defeat; we trust in Jesus’ victory, “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). We shall prevail, and Satan can’t touch us. Nevertheless, we may no longer be subject to enemy authority, but, in this world, we remain within reach of its communication network. In this world, the enemy broadcasts its propaganda and prods our vulnerabilities to render us ineffectual and insecure.

The weapons ranged against us are lies and intimidation.

Satan was a liar from the beginning, and he bombards us with untruths and slander, seeking to convince us we are powerless and worthless. Like a roaring lion seeking to immobilise its prey before the kill, the deceiver intimidates Christians into freezing in a paralysis of fear, doubt and inaction.

It’s the biggest scam out there.

We call it out! We are not unaware of its schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11), but we are in a battle of wits to hold fast to truth and not be upended by lies (a good reason to know your bible and memorise some verses!)

It can be tempting to ignore the spiritual dimension to life, thinking that it might be a bit too weird and frightening. Ignoring your opponent’s strategy only plays us into its hands. On the other hand, overplaying our enemy’s power elevates its status and dignifies the dishonourable. The devil is not all present, or all powerful or even an evil genius. Evil is a parasite of the good, not a giver of life.

That said scripture calls us to “stand” and to “resist” (Ephesians 6: 1 Peter 5:9) To fix our heart and soul firmly on God’s truth, and to address temptation and vulnerabilities that would give the enemy a foothold of leverage in our lives: that is clear out the rubbish!

So, as we dip our toes in the waters of Spiritual warfare this Sunday morning, let us not give in to fear but take heart from Jesus’ promise that whilst in the world we have trouble, we can take heart because he has overcome the world.

Stand firm!

Iain

BTW, I try not to give the enemy the dignity of a personal pronoun “he”. “It” reminds us that the devil and the demonic are less than personal, less than deserving of any suggestion of personhood and worth.

Further resources

Spiritual warfare

  • Victory over the Darkness, Neil Anderson,
  • The bondage Breaker Neil Anderson, both practical biblical instruction about living in Christ’s freedom.
  • “Quiet Talks on Prayer” S D Gordon, an oldie but Goldie! How prayer rocks the spiritual realm.

And from last week: women in leadership