"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is 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."
Ephesians 6:11-12
We have discussed at length the reasons for picking up the armor and putting it on. We have covered that we must put on all of the armor, because we need to make certain that there are more strong places than weak places. And the big kicker that we are going into today is who we are armoring against.
Some people are going to read this and say to themselves that they already knew all of what I am about to type. Others will see this in a new light, and hopefully have an added awareness (like I did, upon closer inspection), which will better equip them to see what dangers lurk around each corner. Either way, the enemy knows I'm talking about him and I imagine he doesn't like it... but with my armor on, I move forward to expose him for the fraud he is, in the Name of Jesus!
We stand against the schemes of the devil. And the key to this deep understanding is in the second part of the passage chosen for today. We are not fighting other people. We are fighting that which influences those people to go down dark paths. Those people, sadly, are being used as puppets in an awful play, and we are here to aid (through prayer) in the cutting of the strings. Tyrannical marionettes, after all, are still just marionettes... and their controller is the offender.
On a side note, it should be noted that those of who are Christians do still make bad choices and follow wrong patterns of thought and action. But it is not the devil we can blame for this. When Christ became a part of us, the devil lost control of us... that means that we are accountable for those decisions, 100%. It is a painful admission, but one that must be realized.
There are forces of evil alive in the world, for certain, and there are times when we must stand opposed to other people. Please understand that I am not saying we shouldn't fight for what is right. But what I am saying is that we need to ensure we know who and what we are really fighting, and not go at the cause with blinders on. The spiritual forces at work in the very real spiritual warfare that we all endure each day are powerful. The devil is alive in the world, and to deny that would be flat-out stupid. But we have a more powerful stance, and the greatest posturing possible through Him which has already conquered death and the devil, and we must realize that before we attempt to fight. Jesus is alive in the world, too... and more alive than anyone could ever comprehend, this side of Heaven!
We must also concede that some of the people who stand on the wrong side of the argument are led by these opposing forces, and that they may simply need to be shown the light. We must ready ourselves to stand for that purpose. And with the armor on, we will be better prepared.
But it is a failing that we can get wrapped up in political movements and think that a certain leader or position is the enemy. It is the devil who is the enemy, and he attempts to orchestrate all things for the slowing of the advancement of God's kingdom. Prayer is our greatest and most powerful weapon against this.
Take a moment this morning to pray... really pray... for a deeper understanding of what it is you fight. Whether it is political or religious or simply the urge to say things that you know you shouldn't, thank God that you are no longer in the position to be puppeteered, and pray that you will have the strength to cut the strings of others you meet. I promise, you will honor the Lord in doing these things!
God bless you all!!!
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