"For we struggle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms," reads Ephesians 6:12. What follows is a tale of two fathers, a la the movie "Coraline."

Before God created man, he created angels. Angels are powerful and magnificent creatures that serve God. The Christian Bible tells us that Lucifer, the anointed angel, one of the highest of angels, became so prideful that he attempted to usurp God's throne. As a result of his rebellion, God cast him out of heaven. Isaiah 14: 12-15 describes Lucifer's fall.

We all know the story of Adam and Eve. Eve ate of the apple, which God forbade, in the Garden of Eden after being tempted by the devil (Lucifer) and all of creation fell into sin. The world that had been perfect became corrupted.

The first evidence that something terrible had happened to Adam and Eve was their knowledge that they were naked and they were ashamed. God provided a covering of animal skins. He had to kill an animal to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. Death had entered the world.

And so early on in Genesis 3:15, God told the devil, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring (Jesus); he (Jesus) will crush your head (devil) and you will strike his heel."

The price of covering sins remained thereafter, a price of blood. God told the Israelites in Egypt when he sent an angel to slay all the firstborn, to kill a lamb and put the blood on the door posts so that "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). That's why Jesus had to come as a man. He was the perfect sacrifice. His blood had to be shed to cover the sins of the whole world. He has redeemed mankind from the grip and domination of the devil. All who come to Jesus will be given new life, they will be healed; the corruption that plagues them will be no more.

In 1 John 3:8, we read, "He who commits sin is of the devil (his offspring); for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason that Jesus, the Son of God, appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

The future end for the devil is in the bottomless pit where he can do no more damage. Don't be deceived, the devil still roams around like a roaring lion, seeking who he can destroy. We all must make a choice, like Eve, to whom we will listen.

John 8:44 says, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6).

Who's your daddy?