"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil spiritual forces in the heavens."
Ephesians 6:12 CSB
The world is at war. There is a conflict that is ravaging the people of our country. It is killing and injuring men, women, and children. Countless lives are being affected by this war. Battle after battle is lost and if you listen to most commentators, you will think we will never win this war. What I am referring to is not an actual physical war being fought on some foreign land. I am talking about the war that is taking place today in our own homes, schools, businesses, and churches. I am speaking about spiritual warfare.
This spiritual war started all the way back at the beginning with Adam and the fall of mankind. Man was told by God not to do something and he listened to the enemy's lies and fell right into the ambush of all time. The enemy started planning his attacks the moment he was cast out of heaven. Adam's sin was a near-fatal attack but God had a way to pivot and counter-attack. God had a weapon that the enemy never considered.
Jesus came to earth with the sole purpose of battling with the enemy and taking the attack to him rather than sitting back and allowing him to fight the war his way. The devil tempted Christ in the desert and that battle raged. Jesus was sent to the cross to die and another battle waged against mankind. But something happened that the enemy did not expect. Three days after he was dead and buried, Jesus rose from the grave victorious but the enemy is stubborn and still hasn't surrendered.
Our destiny lies in the outcome of this great spiritual war. This is exactly the situation Paul described in Ephesians chapter six verse twelve. Everywhere, we are surrounded by spiritual battle. Right now there are angels battling demons, good is pitted against evil, and light fights the darkness. But I am amazed at how we as believers fail to recognize this and live like it isn't happening. The biggest lie the enemy ever told was that he doesn't exist. We live as if this battle for the ages, the battle for the soul of man, isn't taking place all around us. We live like we only battle against flesh and blood. As if the real enemy is a person we can punch and kick until they either leave us alone or submit to justice.
What if I told you that every problem you face is a direct result of spiritual warfare? Discouragement, divorce, crime, addiction, depression, uncontrolled anger, debt - all of these and more, are a direct result of the spiritual warfare taking place all around us. It is the ultimate duel for the hearts and souls of every living person. Not one us is immune to the consequences of this war. And although the players fight in an invisible realm, we all face the effects of their conflict every day of our lives. It shows up as pain, struggle, defeat, and heartache.
But we aren't defenseless or helpless in this war. We just have to learn to fight a spiritual war with spiritual weapons. Our physical strength will never help us win this war. Our only hope is to fight within the strength of the Lord and to use the weapons that He has given us in the Holy Spirit. It is through the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ that our victory is won. The enemy has already lost. The only power he has over you and me is the power that we give him. We have to stand firm in the victory of Christ.
Paul tells us over and over to stand firm in the faith. He is telling us to plant our feet in the concrete and grind it out. Stay in that area of victory and fight on through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. When we stand under the protection of the Holy Spirit, it doesn't stop the attacks from coming but it does keep you from getting mortally wounded. Just like in life, you have to dress for success. You have to rise each day and put on the armor that God gives each of us as believers. The belt of truth - that is God's word. Read it each day and meditate on what God is showing you. The armor of righteousness - God imputed Christ's righteousness the moment Christ took our place. The sandals of peace - despite the things spinning around us and the external turmoil of the world, we should always seek peace. The shield of faith - live out the fact that God's word is the truth and be obedient to what it tells you to do. The helmet of salvation - our spiritual standing with Christ offers protection to our minds and will protect you thinking, it allows us to think the thoughts of God and operate under His wisdom rather than our own. And last, the sword of the Spirit - notice this is the only offensive weapon I have mentioned. It is a dagger that is meant for hand to hand combat. Paul is speaking about the word of God spoken out loud, made effective by our relationship with the Holy Spirit, to cut through the lies of the enemy. Jesus used them when He was tempted and so should we. We must learn to us the study of God's word against our enemy. He is highly allergic to the Word of God, especially when it is used against him consistently.
We have to put on this armor every single day if we hope to win this war. Prayer and the study of God's word have to woven into the fabric of our lives. If we don't we will ultimately lose the war.
Comments
Post a Comment