Whenever an army goes to battle, the first thing they do is "recon" the area. That means that they check out the enemy. They gather intelligence to identify and know the enemy. The same is true for us. In a battle, it is imperative to identify our enemy. If we are not aware of the point of our attack, we are vulnerable.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
The apostle Paul had many enemies. Some resented him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry. But in spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. Whenever people attacked Paul, he knew that they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.
What about us? When we meet opposition to our faith, our first reaction to our antagonist might be anger. We might feel the need to lash out against them to defend ourselves. However, this may divert our attention from the deeper, spiritual dimensions of our conflict. Our adversary may be hopelessly in bondage to sin. Instead of retaliating, we should immediately and earnestly intercede for that person! Our opponent's hostility is our invitation to become involved in God's redemptive work to free them from their spiritual bondage.
As believers, we must be constantly alert to the spiritual warfare around us! We cannot ignore or trick ourselves into thinking or believing that these things do not exist! It is real and potentially destructive to us and those we care about. Knowing our real foe will protect us from bitterness and unforgiveness. Our hope lies in the reality that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). We should not place our hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already defeated our enemy. That being the Lord Jesus Christ!!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
The apostle Paul had many enemies. Some resented him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry. But in spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. Whenever people attacked Paul, he knew that they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.
What about us? When we meet opposition to our faith, our first reaction to our antagonist might be anger. We might feel the need to lash out against them to defend ourselves. However, this may divert our attention from the deeper, spiritual dimensions of our conflict. Our adversary may be hopelessly in bondage to sin. Instead of retaliating, we should immediately and earnestly intercede for that person! Our opponent's hostility is our invitation to become involved in God's redemptive work to free them from their spiritual bondage.
As believers, we must be constantly alert to the spiritual warfare around us! We cannot ignore or trick ourselves into thinking or believing that these things do not exist! It is real and potentially destructive to us and those we care about. Knowing our real foe will protect us from bitterness and unforgiveness. Our hope lies in the reality that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). We should not place our hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already defeated our enemy. That being the Lord Jesus Christ!!
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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