June 26, 2023 OUR STRUGGLE
Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and have done everything, to stand firm.”
As a starter, we must realize that we are in a battle; if we do not know that there is a war going on, then surely we have our heads buried in the sand. There are physical wars going on in various parts of the world, but the greater battle that all are in is a spiritual war; behind the physical wars, spiritual forces are at work. It is critical to have the proper gear and proper training if one is going to be victorious in battle; God equips us and trains for battle. Much could be said about spiritual warfare, but today, let’s just look at one aspect of this spiritual warfare-the part about ‘our struggle not being against flesh and blood.’ I am sure that we all have, or have had people who oppose us, argue with us, attack us, are inconsiderate of us, are divisive-or whatever; but what we must understand and what we must remember is that behind the conflict they bring, there are spiritual forces at work. And these spiritual forces or not just some imaginary force-they are real forces-‘rulers and powers, spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.’ We also must be wise to the schemes of the devil; he will do whatever and use whatever to bring strife and discontent. On our own, we are no match for the forces we face; BUT the forces we face are no match for God! God has given us armor to wear and to use. God’s armor includes His word, prayer, worship, wisdom that He gives, faith, boldness-and all that the the Holy Spirit equips us with. Depression, anxiety, fear, indifference, loneliness, hopelessness, conflicts with people, unrest, and whatever, is a sign that the enemy is at work. But, we do not have to live with the enemy occupying any ground in our lives-our enemy can be expelled. I love how Paul said it “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” We have the power to recognize and overcome the schemes of the enemy. Let us put on and use the armor of God; let us and those around us walk in love, peace and joy, and in victory as a result of God ruling and reigning in our sphere.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Blessings, Buddy
Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and have done everything, to stand firm.”
As a starter, we must realize that we are in a battle; if we do not know that there is a war going on, then surely we have our heads buried in the sand. There are physical wars going on in various parts of the world, but the greater battle that all are in is a spiritual war; behind the physical wars, spiritual forces are at work. It is critical to have the proper gear and proper training if one is going to be victorious in battle; God equips us and trains for battle. Much could be said about spiritual warfare, but today, let’s just look at one aspect of this spiritual warfare-the part about ‘our struggle not being against flesh and blood.’ I am sure that we all have, or have had people who oppose us, argue with us, attack us, are inconsiderate of us, are divisive-or whatever; but what we must understand and what we must remember is that behind the conflict they bring, there are spiritual forces at work. And these spiritual forces or not just some imaginary force-they are real forces-‘rulers and powers, spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.’ We also must be wise to the schemes of the devil; he will do whatever and use whatever to bring strife and discontent. On our own, we are no match for the forces we face; BUT the forces we face are no match for God! God has given us armor to wear and to use. God’s armor includes His word, prayer, worship, wisdom that He gives, faith, boldness-and all that the the Holy Spirit equips us with. Depression, anxiety, fear, indifference, loneliness, hopelessness, conflicts with people, unrest, and whatever, is a sign that the enemy is at work. But, we do not have to live with the enemy occupying any ground in our lives-our enemy can be expelled. I love how Paul said it “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” We have the power to recognize and overcome the schemes of the enemy. Let us put on and use the armor of God; let us and those around us walk in love, peace and joy, and in victory as a result of God ruling and reigning in our sphere.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Blessings, Buddy
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