“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, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:10-18a
Paul depicts the two realities of every child of God: flesh and spirit. His words warn of the unseen battle in the heavenly realm that breathes its fire on every creature here below. If we fret in the domain of color and conflict that cajole and confuse, and fail to recognize the black and white of evil and good, we can be trampled by the enemy. Beware, take every thought captive to Christ and His truth, and wage war with divine armor in the strength of His might.
The reason we can be so ineffective at fighting sin, the devil, and the world is that we either rely on our own wits and will, or we ignore the power and vitriol of the unseen forces against us. We cannot fight spirit with flesh. When we deem ourselves God, in attitude and attempt, the Lord will put us in our place to expose our futility. (Ezekiel 28: 1-9)
How seriously do we take the vicious spiritual battle about us? Where does the culture taunt our convictions and rattle our resolve? How has the devil provoked us with the ruse of moral laxitude, justified dishonesty, or esteem of self? What strongholds of shame, resentment, unforgiveness, entrap our souls? Will we, by immersion in the Word and focused prayer, submit ourselves to God and His armor?
“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r;
Raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” ~8th century Irish
Lord, keep me aware and not afraid of spiritual battle, trusting Your Spirit’s victory.
As the rain and snow 