Why Do the Spiritual Realms War Against Each Other?
Why is it all about us? | Random Thoughts | Spiritual Warfare | Jesus Christ | Christianity
Is It All About Us?
A Mixture of Four Topics
Dear Readers, I don’t lack for topics to write about each week. Instead, I struggle with which one to choose. I pray and ask God to guide me, for you all are His very precious image bearers and I take seriously what to share with you all. He also knows what’s going on in your lives, and I pray that the timing of these weekly posts may help you with what you’re going through.
This week’s post…well…Lol, it’s a mixture of topics.
These four topics came to my mind, I felt confused, and I asked the Lord to weave in my thoughts the thread that unites them. The topics are:
Worry
Mel Gibson’s interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and why the spiritual realms are engaged in battle (I know, right? Where did that come from?)
Psalm 8 in response to the above why
Imitating Christ (another response to why)
Worry
Pastor and author Louie Giglio (Passion Church) published his first 365-day devotional book, “Grace & Glory” [not an affiliate link], and released it in time for people to start on January 1, 2025. My friend who lives ~500-miles away and I are using this book to begin each day, and we email each other our thoughts and prayer requests every morning.
Here’s January 13th’s reading, “Worrying Brings No Value to Today”.
This is what I wrote in my email message:
Father God, You have always taken care of me, even during the darkest of times. And 2023, was a very difficult, very dark year for me financially. You surprised me “from out of left field” with the job I’m currently working, and I’m starting on year two. Truly a miracle, Lord God, and I give you ALL the glory. Still, at times the enemy tries to influence my trusting in You, my resting in You. I reject those influences, and Jesus rebukes him. No matter what, Father God, You are Yahweh Jirah, my provider. Amen.
Mel Gibson on Joe Rogan
I don’t watch Joe Rogan’s podcast (I barely have time for the podcasts I enjoy), and I don’t seek out Mel Gibson. For whatever reason, probably the algorithms, I kept seeing links on social media to Mel Gibson’s interview on the Joe Rogan podcast, but specifically one video clip where Gibson talks about the upcoming movie “The Resurrection of the Christ” [IMDB], and spiritual warfare between God’s heavenly hosts and the rebellious, evil ones. Mel told Joe:
“There are big realms, spiritual realms. There’s good, there’s evil, and they’re slugging it out for the souls of mankind.”
“My question is, why are we so important?”
~Mel Gibson on Joe Rogan Experience, January 2025
Psalm 8
I thought about Mel’s question, and I’m hoping his question is rhetorical. Surely he knows the answer as a devout Catholic believer. The fact is we’re very important to our Lord, and as I prayed, Psalm 8 popped into my thoughts. I love this Psalm!
Psalm 8 (BSB)
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is Your name in all the earth!You have set Your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the mouths of children and infants
You have ordained praise
on account of Your adversaries,
to silence the enemy and avenger.3 When I behold Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You have set in place—
4 what is man that You are mindful of him,
or the son of man that You care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler of the works of Your hands;
You have placed everything under his feet:
7 all sheep and oxen,
and even the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
God made us and so cherishes us that even infants and children can declare His praises and silence our spiritual enemies. Think about that!
Imitating Christ
Then, back to the “Grace & Glory” devotional book, Holy Spirit reminded me of the reading on January 17th, and the words that remind us to live our lives to imitate Christ and so reflect Jesus to the people around us who are desperately seeking God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (BSB)
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
As His redeemed image bearers, Yahweh wants us to go forth in confidence in His love and His salvation, imitating Him with the end goal of not only deepening our relationship with Him, but to reach the not-yet-redeemed image bearers with His good news.
What Are the Unseen Ones Fighting Over?
Us, Redeemed and Not-Yet-Redeemed
Worry. Mel Gibson on Joe Rogan. Psalm 8. Imitating Christ. What’s the thread that brings these topics together?
We are the thread, God’s beloved and human image bearers, both we who He has redeemed and those who have yet to repent and receive His redemption through Christ Jesus. We all are so supremely important to Yahweh that the spiritual image bearers war against each other over us. One group wants to destroy us and the other group battles to protects us.
“There are big realms, spiritual realms. There’s good, there’s evil, and they’re slugging it out for the souls of mankind.”
“My question is, why are we so important?”
~Mel Gibson on Joe Rogan Experience, Jan. 2025
We are “so important” because God says we are. He created us, His beloved and cherished human image bearers to work with Him, along side Him, as family members in… the Garden of Eden. Because He also blessed us with free will, this family story took an unfortunate turn.
We humans messed up, disobeyed Him in the worst way, and we lost our family privileges, resulting in sin and death, and separation from God
He provided a way to rescue us and bring us back into His family
The evil ones couldn’t discern the unique and powerful mission of the Son of God to redeem lost human image bearers; His victory crushed them, they’re now aware of what He did, and they’re really pissed off, and in their rage and jealousy they war against us in the spiritual realm
God’s loyal and obedient heavenly hosts (armies) in the spiritual realm fight on our behalf as He commands them
When we imitate Christ and draw the not-yet-redeemed back into God’s family, our enemies lose yet another soul (which also pisses them off), and God and His angels party it up big time in heaven, rejoicing over the newly redeemed human image bearer
Therefore, do not worry, dear readers, you who are redeemed.
You are precious and you are cherished
Jesus gave up everything and gave His all to redeem you, so imitate Him in your life, to grow closer to Him, and to help seekers find Him through you
The above is why we’re “so important” that spiritual battles are waged in the heavenlies (the unseen realm), and among human image bearers on Earth (and why we see so much evil in the world)
And, you need not worry despite the growing evil around us for God is always in control, you are His, and He’s given you His full armor to put on and stand firm
The Lord brought a video short by Francis Chan my way on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/shorts/M0lucz1a0i0?si=XKfV4HpzvibEArsI
Transcript:
”As we talk about the end times, my prayer is that you just get more and more encouraged and more and more peaceful, not stressed out, because we know our God’s in control, we know the story is ending this way, and so I don’t fear the world getting more evil. And, you shouldn’t either.”
Note: The video short is from this longer message posted below.
Video
Nothing to Fear (The End Times Series, Pt. 2) | Francis Chan (37 mins 56 secs)
Your Turn
Luke 21:25-27 (BSB)
25 There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. 26 Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
In conclusion, while the spiritual beings are warring among themselves, and around us, affecting human life, don’t worry. We are important to God. Even while human image bearers are using technology to create things that enslave us, don’t worry. God’s still in control and we are important to Him.
We don’t know exactly when Jesus is coming again (even He doesn’t know; only the Father knows). But be confident of this: He is coming again.
Live your life imitating Him, invite seekers to consider His good news, and stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
(See my previous post on worry: “Are You Concerned about Worrying?”)
Maranatha, come (again) Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.
And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.
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Weirdly (of course not) preached this today: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5pm3b-17bc50e
Your posts give me such hope and encouraging words. I need to make time to listen to the vids you shared, and think on how this weaves into whatever today’s message is from my church.
This morning in my own personal study, I learned about Jude and how crazy it must have been to learn only after Jesus death and resurrection, that he was the Messiah as well as his half-brother! Can you imagine? I can't.
Also a funny side note: today’s prompt on Just Jot it January was Why? This post would have made a great “jot” for the prompt!
Have a blessed Sunday and keep up your good work. You are truly a servant of God!