“For we wrestle not against 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

This passage really has become the Christian calling cry to the world. Whether a believer in God or not, whether an atheist, agnostic, Hindu or Buddhist, the reality is the same. We are in a spiritual war. Every actions taken by us is a direct result of our own choice to manifest something whether of God or of this world. Because of this truth, it is becoming increasingly important to pray and to strengthen our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus never lied to anyone while walking this earth. One of the biggest differences between Jesus and all other faiths, or lack thereof, is the notion of secrecy.

Jesus
“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” JOHN 18:20 (emphasis added)

Koran
There are two forms of lying to non-believers that are permitted under certain circumstances in the Koran, taqiyya and kitman. These circumstances are typically those that advance the cause Islam – in some cases by gaining the trust of non-believers in order to draw out their vulnerability and defeat them.

Buddhism
Secrecy is a trademark in buddhism. It’s otherwise known as sacred knowledge, secret mantra, etc. Buddha taught things to his disciples that he did not to the masses.

Hinduism
Similar to buddhism, Hinduism also has secret rituals, mantras, and knowledge held by the teachers, yogi’s, etc. This is knowledge only available to those who will diligently follow the traditions and rituals as taught.

New Age
The secret wisdom of the universe can be obtained through meditation etc. It’s basically a westernized repackaged version of hinduism and buddhism. Normally, the understanding of the secret knowledge promoted by the New Age movement is predicated on the idea that we must tap into the universal mind, or sometimes referred to as “Christ consciousness.” This is where secret wisdom is gained, and the connection between a given person and the universe is revealed.

Occult
The word means “secret knowledge” Many esoteric groups and philosophies can go under this category. Freemasons, Skull and Bones, Illuminati, etc. The whole point of “Secret” societies is just that; secrecy. Knowledge that is held by a select few, but are not allowed for any other, uninitiated members.

Cults

Mormonism, Jehovas Witness, and one can even say the Roman Catholic Church and it’s papacy, all have the idea of secret knowledge being held at the top, while the rest of the congregation must work their way up to attain it, or to be part of the inner members privileged to have that knowledge.

Atheism and Agnosticism

Knowledge can only be attained by the use of science and thus, truth is only known from those who have expertise in their field. It must also be verified and approved by qualified peers who also have an elite education. Knowledge can only be attained through careful examination and the proper use of the scientific method. This again, is the idea that knowledge is only available for the privy and well educated and can only be attained by reason, logic and rationality. But in some sense it’s worse because if you happen to disagree with science, you are considered uneducated and lacking knowledge or understanding.

Secrecy is part of the first lie ever told…

“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened…” Genesis 3:15 (emphasis added)

 
Although this is a very short and generalized list, I believe the point is made. Jesus never told a lie in His earthly life, and so why don’t we listen to His words, His teachings, and His way? Why don’t we follow Him with the conviction, passion, and enthusiasm that we have for any other earthly activity?

The problem with all of these practices is their convictions based on human pride. Pride is something we all have and we all protect. It is an earthly, natural thing that resides in us all. Giving up our pride for the sake of the Gospel and to follow Jesus Christ is absurd to the non-believer. Yet the difference is that there is no secret with what we as Christians believe. There is no initiation, or sacred ritual or practice one must go through to be saved. Sure there are things we do like baptism to declare our faith in a public setting. And as far as attaining secret universal knowledge and understanding, I believe that knowing Jesus personally allows one to have much deeper appreciation, wisdom, and understanding of the world than any other relationship we can have. But I can say that without a sense of pride or elitism because truly it is not my knowledge of understanding, but God’s. As a Christian, I can honestly say, “God will reveal to me what He wants revealed to me.” And if I have a question about something in particular and He never gives a clear answer, then my conclusion has to be that it’s not important for God to reveal to me at this time.

The spiritual battle is found in this tug-of-war between our own human pride and the love that emanates from God the Father and Jesus Christ. When we do things out of our own love, we expect something in return. When we love others by our own love, we expect love in return. When we love God by our own love, we expect God to love us back. But it just doesn’t seem to work that way. When we are able to become vessels of God’s love, then our lives become self evident of His love. We become Godly in that our actions, our thoughts, and out deeds all begin to reflect God’s will. This can only come by faith. But the good news, is that all it takes is faith. It doesn’t require intellectual, rational, reasoning or rituals, traditions, saying, seances, study, science, or any other extra curricular activity.

I by no means have attained this perfect Godly life and it’s my belief that no one in the history of man kind has. Of course with the exception of Jesus himself. But I have to believe that all other forms of faith, religions, and spirituality that stem from the supernatural, must be laced with deceptive spirits because they all have characteristics of secrecy in them. Thus, Ephesians 6:12 becomes all the more relevant for our battle is truly not against flesh and blood. It is not against other people, tribes, nations, or colors.  It is not against the world elite, political leaders, world bankers and those who seek to enslave humanity. It is not against other animals (unless of course we create a race of super apes). But it is against principalities and powers, the cosmic forces of which are unseen to us, but are perhaps more real than reality itself. So make sure you put on the FULL armor of God so that we will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.