There IS a spiritual battle going on around us.

Too often in our culture, we think this kind of idea is ridiculous and paranoid. But we do not live only in the flesh. We are spiritual creatures. And scripture tells us that there IS a spiritual battle being waged.

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 the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12

In order for us to understand how to fight this battle, we need to learn to recognize that battle. We so often get sucked in and, before you know it, we are falling into fleshly and ungodly responses, thoughts and actions. Some things to think about:

• do you tend to fall into anger
  • the anger of man doesn’t achieve the righteousness of God
• do you tend to fall into fear
  • true love casts out fear
• do you stop to listen to the Spirit
  • the Spirit will teach you what to say
• do you speak/write before you think
  • be quick to hear, slow to speak
• is the glory of God foremost in your thoughts when you respond
  • do all things for the glory of God

The war has been won!

Sometimes we forget that we know the end. We’ve read the final chapter and we know the eternal outcome. God Wins!

It is easy to forget this in the day-to-day struggles and trials. We see the floundering we are doing in our lives (by our own choices or sometimes through no fault of our own). We struggle to keep our heads above water when the waves come. And we get pulled under by the schemes of the enemy.

We cannot always change our circumstances, but we certainly can change how we respond to them. THIS is where the battle is fought! This is the place of victory or defeat. But I am here to give you one more small piece of support.

STAND FIRM!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will 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 the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…  Eph. 6:11-14

Oh how I love this passage of scripture. It gives us our marching orders in this spiritual battle we are living in. Our job is to stand firm. We have our spiritual armor on so we can deflect the blows of the enemy, but we don’t go out to destroy him. That battle is the Lord’s. We stand confidently in the protection we have – the Name and Blood of Jesus!

One of my very favorite images of standing firm comes from the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Ents (tree-like creatures) are marching toward a citadel while the river behind them is released. The water rages toward them and they dig their feet down deep and stand while everything around them is washed away. They hold firm against the battering of the wall of water and, in the end, they are all that is left standing.

Learning to stand in Jesus.

Have you, my friend, learned to stand firmly in Jesus while the spiritual battle rages around you? Are you filling your heart and mind with the Truths of His Word? Are you letting God’s nature change yours so that your confidence is unshakable on His goodness, trustworthiness and faithfulness?

• He is our protector.
• He is our rear guard.
• He goes before us.
• He gives us strength.
• He pours down His grace on us.
• He fills us with joy, which is our strength.

We don’t have to assume we need to do it all, be it all. We must focus our hearts on GOD. And realize that our confidence and power is in HIM. And His Spirit lives in us and brings that confidence and power to our lives. THIS is what enables us to stand firm and not be tossed about by the whims and schemes of the enemy. It gives us roots and holds us tight when the battles and battering comes.

Today, seek God, His Word and ask Him to teach you how to confidently and fully rest in Him so that you may be able to stand firm when the battles come.

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All Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos from pixaby.com