Spiritual Insight
If you’ve read my post “This World” you know that I told you about our spiritual enemy. That wasn’t to frighten you, but to alert you that there is a source of evil behind much of what is negative and happens in our world. I also told you that there is help and protection from God. I will shortly describe from Ephesians 6 what God’s protection looks like.
I write about this because so many people have dismissed the truth of a real spiritual world of either good or evil. But it is real! The Bible emphatically states that not only is God real, but that there are supernatural forces who want to dethrone God and have total control over the world and people He created. It won’t happen, but Satan and his demonic servants apparently don’t believe this and continue to work towards their goal. Until God finally puts an end to this evil as seen in Revelation 19-21 when all evil is finally, fully exposed and dealt with. I emphasize this in an early post, because without this understanding and acceptance of the spiritual world, much of what I want to write about will all seem a muddle.
I would add that The Bible is not a book you can cherry pick. It doesn’t leave you that option. Either you accept it in totality or you dismiss it. If you reject any part of it as untrue or exaggerated the rest is then called into question and would be unreliable. I hope you make the right choice. I have chosen to accept it, all of it.
One final word about The Bible; it is sometimes not easy to understand, but worth the effort. It was written by many spirit-led authors over about 2,000 years. These were Middle Eastern authors writing to a Middle Easten audience using the symbolism, language and perspective (who and why, not how) of the day. We have translations to solve the language difficulty, but we must adjust our viewpoint to allow for the ancient perspectives. And finally, God so arranged the writing that later books often refer back to earlier books and you can only grasp the fulness of the message if you have read it all. Yes, this will take some dedication and time, but the reward is well worth it, as in any positive endeavor.
Reading Scripture is vital to our intimacy with God. God’s Word is our weapon. It’s alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And when we hold Scripture in our heart, it helps us battle with the forces of evil. We do have an enemy, and the last thing he wants us to do is trust God and His Word.
Our spiritual enemy wants to keep us in a place of doubt and insecurity. But when we know who we are, we can confidently demolish every lie that distracts us (and there are many). Just like Jesus did, we can use Scripture to remind ourselves of the truth and defend ourselves against the devil’s schemes.
The best description of this defense is in Ephesians 6.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Think through some of the lies you’ve believed. Maybe it’s “I’m a failure, I’ll never do anything right,” or “God doesn’t care about me, it’s why these bad things happen.” It’s easier to entertain lies when we allow them to become a part of us.
But once you recognize the lies you’ve internalized, you’re halfway to victory. God gave us His Word and Spirit so that we could know the truth, and it’s His truth and Spirit that sets us free!
Dave L.