2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but
have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every
lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought
captive to obey Christ.
We need to learn this lesson—we experience the Lord three
ways: through our personal experience, through the Word and prayer, and through
our fellowship with others in our community. In all three of these realms Satan
is at war to destroy God’s essential purpose: unity.
Satan lies to us about our personal relationship with
Christ. He constantly attacks the credibility of God’s Word and diverts our
attention away from prayer. Satan does this because he knows it is through the
Word and prayer that we mature as Christians and become equipped to battle
against him. And the enemy schemes to create division in our fellowship with
other believers because he understands that division will discredit the love of
Christ. Disunity in the body of Christ will cause people to doubt if Jesus
really is who He said He is, the Son of God. Much of Jesus’s prayer in John 17
addresses His plea to the Father for the unity of believers with them (the
Father and Son) and with one another (vv. 11, 21-23).
The Word of God reveals that there is a furious spiritual
battle taking place right now in the heavens and the unseen realms (Ephesians
6:12). Most of us are unaware of this war. And if we are aware, there is an additional
rebutting that takes place with many Christians when it comes to spiritual
warfare. The thought of battling demons, evil spirits, or Satan himself is
overwhelming and frightening.
The truth is that we are to war against Satan. God has
called us to use the weapons of our warfare to defeat the enemy and crush him
underfoot (Romans 8:37-39; 16:20; 1 John 2:13-14). Everyday people such as you
and me are called to put on the armor of light and cast aside the works of
darkness (Romans 13:12). We are called to bring God’s kingdom of heaven to
earth (Matthew 6:10).
Through prayer and the Word of God we are able to discern
the strongholds of the enemy and tear down his defenses (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
The powers of darkness will be broken in our lives and the lives of others as
we learn to war in the spirit. We will be God’s warriors, fully equipped to see
the forces of evil destroyed and His kingdom and unity established in our
midst.
Dear Lord, we pray for strength so that was can stand
against the enemy. We thank You for Your word that shows us how to stand firm.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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