It Starts Small

Today we look at our last barrier that gets in the way of us choosing to live a life of abundance and with a heart of godliness or according to the world’s standard. The first barrier is our own flesh that runs on an autopilot towards the world. The second barrier we looked at was the culture that we live beside. Today we examine who our real enemy is. Paul gives us a very bold declaration: We do night fight against the flesh and blood.

This is perhaps the most famous verse in all of God’s Word concerning the spiritual battle that exists in the lives of Christ followers. Paul first affirms that the battle within us and the battles around us are indeed spiritual. They exist in an unseen environment. The spiritual world is not a physical world. The enemies we truly face are not people or objects. The devil uses them as part of his attack, but the true opponent is not people. Our true opponent is sin.

Then Paul comes to identify our spiritual enemies. This list has many commentary interpretations, but most believe this is a vague list of “ranks” within the demonic army. “Rulers” are seen as the top level. “Authorities” lend to demonic forces that attack Christ followers. “Cosmic powers” seem to refer to the worldwide nature of this spiritual battle and “evil in heavenly places” emphasize a battle beyond this world.

Spiritual battles can occur at all levels, anywhere across the world, and beyond. As Christ followers, we need Christ in these battles. We need all of Him. We often say we need the full armor of God and when we put it on, we are putting on all of Christ.

How does this become a stumbling block?

I believer we quit seeing people as made int he image of God. When someone hurts us, we see them as an enemy, instead of seeing past what was done, by forgiving them, and discovering that they in fact are operating in their own battles and hurt, pain or suffering. The enemy likes to fool us into thinking we are battling a person with flesh and blood, but in all reality we are battling him and his demonic army.

I have this t-shirt that was given to me to that has that silly dumb chicken from Moana on it. It says, Why you all testing the Jesus in me? I think there is a very real message in it.

Everything we encounter that is not of God is a test of Christ within us. That boss that makes your job a living misery, how you react is telling of Christ. You can respond with just as much hate and misery, or you can carry the attitude of Jesus and walk in forgiveness and love. You can understand that His battle is being projected upon you, but the enemy wants you to gossip, complain and look for every way to get back at that person.

That relationship that ended in a nuclear bomb. That person hurt you and your sitting in the pit of despair and suffering. The enemy wants to make you into a weapon of revenge. He you hold onto your grudges and bitterness so that he not only destroys your character, but destroys your testimony.

We have to acknowledge that our real battle is the battle that is waged in our hearts. It is the battle of influence and control over our heart. We get to chose who we decide wins the battle by who has the greatest influence: satan and his minions or Christ through the Holy Spirit.

We have to guard ourselves and make sure that we do not get caught up in making ourselves a pawn of evil, rather a vessel of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and truth.

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