The devil is real and he’s our enemy. Ephesians 6:10-12 reminds us; “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 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.” This verse reminds me that I really only have one enemy: Satan. My enemies aren’t the pagans who don’t believe what I believe, my enemies aren’t the people on the other side of the political scale, my enemies aren’t Dallas Cowboy fans, nor are my enemies the Russians or al qaeda or any other foreign or domestic threat. We often see others as our enemy, that’s why Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, but the truth of the matter is that we really only have one true enemy.
In recent weeks and months, I’ve become more convinced that the enemy is working hard to oppose God’s mission in this world. There are seasons where he seems more active than others. We’ve seen in it in countless ways in recent weeks – through serious illnesses and health episodes, through significant challenges on ministry fields and in local congregations as well as many setbacks that ultimately work to discourage or dissuade God’s people. Our enemy is at work to disrupt, divide, discourage and derail God’s people from accomplishing His mission here on earth. In recent weeks I’ve sensed an increase in the spiritual battle that is going on around us and been convicted of our great need to call on our Heavenly Father’s spiritual resources to wage battle with our one true enemy.
Perhaps you’ve sensed the same increase in opposition lately? Let’s not be discouraged or afraid. Let’s not lose focus or allow the devil to divide and conquer. Let’s not focus on the wrong enemy. Remember 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Let’s leverage all the spiritual resources that God offers to His children to fight our enemy and not lose hope. We have a spiritual battle to fight. We have an enemy who is real. We have a Savior in Christ Jesus who has overcome and won the victory for us.
Keep fighting brothers and sisters.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance