“Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
The surface of the water was hatched and wrinkled, like tossed fabric. Above loomed the sky, but underneath was… calm. The creatures down under went about their morning like any other, unaware of the wind’s erratic temper, unfazed by turbulence because it didn’t affect their movement, their play, their eating.
Above and all around us whips and chops a vicious battle, invisible and therefore ofttimes unrecognized. We hear about spiritual warfare, and may sense its disarming intensity, but misunderstand its ongoing reality. We are entrenched in the physical world, and so ignore what we cannot see. Like fish, we swarm, we hunt, we move and giggle with those just like us in our insulated calm, and we can be blissfully unaware of the very real conflict that rages. The father of lies, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, is out to divide God’s church, unsettle our souls, and disrupt our peace, all while deceiving us about his motives. (Matthew 10:28; John 10:10)
But the Lord Jesus, who is greater and stronger than this murderer in the world, knows all, never lets us out of His sight, and with His angels is the vigilant and ultimate Victor in battle against the devil and his demons. He provides us with insight and armor; we need not fear. We can trust our Shield and Defender in every aspect of the war. (Psalm 28:7; John 8:44; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:31-34; Revelation 12:7-9)
Would we step away from our huddled ‘school’ and habitual activities to watch and pray for spiritual sensitivity and discernment? While we may not see the angelic sword fight, are we tuned in to the slashing at our senses of malice, bitterness, and bigotry, the whispers of temptation to gossip, complain, and worry? Can we perceive the forces behind the world’s tumult? Will we look to Jesus’s light to expose what is true, pay attention to what is really going on in the heavenlies, and fit ourselves with God’s armor and wisdom to be able to withstand it? (Mark 14:38; Ephesians 6:10-18)
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?.. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35,37-39
Lord of lords, You reign over all in heaven and earth. Though spiritual war rages- staining culture, breaking relationships, shaking our souls- You are victorious. Keep me steadfast in faith, secure in Your strength, stalwart in battle, and shining Your grace. (Revelation 19:11-16,19-21)
As the rain and snow 