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
In a battle, it is imperative to identify your enemy. If you are not aware of the point of your attack, you are vulnerable. 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. In spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. When people attacked him, he knew they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.
When you meet opposition to your faith, your first reaction may be anger toward your antagonist. This may divert your attention from the deeper, spiritual dimensions of your conflict. Your adversary may be hopelessly in bondage to sin. Rather than retaliating, you should immediately and earnestly intercede for that person. Your opponent's hostility is your invitation to become involved in God's redemptive work to free him or her from spiritual bondage.
Be alert to the spiritual warfare around you. It is real and potentially destructive to you and those you care about. Knowing your real foe will protect you from the bitterness and unforgiveness, Your hope lies in the reality that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Do not place your hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already defeated your enemy.
devo from Experiencing God, Oct 30
-kim
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7 comments:
we are not each other's enemies and Satan may be channeling his evil through a person. We as a unit of God, must relentlessly hold up arms to the real enemy. We should save those who persecute us and let not fall into the initial beliefs that the person is evil. You know the infamous quote "Keep you friends close, but keep your enemy closer". Thats how is should be and we should keep them in our prayers and in our heart. Until the day the truth is set upon this whole earth and that everyone may see the Glory of His power, keep praying. its our most potent weapon of Christians =)
-kim
wow thats pretty cool... spiritual battles...
i was doing a devo with my siblings when i came home today and i randomed a passage in 1 Sam 16:14-23
Basically it talks about how David is now in the service of Saul - playing the harp when Saul gets tormented by an evil spirit sent by God. The context of that tho is that Saul has disobeyed God, so the Holy Spirit has left him and God allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul.
So just the whole idea of disobeying God, and having the Holy Spirit leave us, and then to have an evil spirit come and torment us.. thats just so crazy and insane!
But then, that just goes to show that God is in control of everything, and that God is the one who commanded the evil spirit to torment Saul, and that God will always give us a way out of our sticky/temptations situations.
-Jon rbk (5)
- read it, comment on it in a bit
jacky rbk (5)-> what number is what now?
Interesting, was sort of along the lines on what I have been reading.
And it's funny that Jon mentions Samuel, as we were doing study on it during Sunday School this past week.
God is very coincidental. :P
Yeah I think it's always tough to love the sinner and hate the sin. :/
Richard rbk(5)
This is very true, we should not see every bad situation when others are harming us with anger. Like Paul we should also remember the spiritual warfare and remember to euip ourselves with the spiritual armor that God has given us.
Richard Rbk(5)
good devo. very true that in warfare, we must understand our enemies in order to defeat them. Not just take things at face value. I like how at the end of the devo, it gives leaves us with some encouraging words..
"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
- Brian Yee -> rbk(5)
Our church seems to be going through some crazy spritual battles lately.
Keeps us reminded to keep praying for strength and faith to fight the good fight.
- Jono rbk(4?)
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