understanding what we are up against

​Understanding What We Are Up Against (Read time ≈ 5 minutes)
Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV)
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.
 
                The Christian walk is not for the faint of heart. This isn’t a fluffy, happy go lucky, frolic through a field of flowers where there is only laughing, cheer and fun. It does come with plenty of laughs, joy and cheer… not sure about the frolicking through fields of flowers, but the Christian walk is full of great things. In fact, it would probably be quite difficult to frolic with armor on. However, just as much, if not more, the Christian walk is a war. It’s a fight and we on our own are very outgunned. It is crucial that we remember this, because as soon as we forget, we then begin to neglect the power available to us through our Lord. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might”! Where does our strength come from? It comes from the Lord who created the heavens and the earth (Psalm 121:1-2)!
 
                But what do we need this strength for? Why do we need to put on the whole armor of God? To answer this, we have to properly identify our enemy. This is a common Christian topic, and I think it’s because it’s common that Christians need reminded of this. Your enemy is not the person who makes you mad. It’s not the person who is attacking you at work. It’s not the person who is withholding things from you. In extreme scenarios, it’s not even the person who wants to kill you simply because you are a follower of Jesus Christ. No, you actually share a common enemy with those very people. The biggest difference is that they are captive to that enemy, and you are not. This is why we must armor up so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. Part of that scheme is him convincing you that people are the enemy and get the target off his back and onto souls that the Lord desires to see saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). The devil delights in Christians fighting against people. But rather, we need to direct our focus in this warfare to “(spiritual) rulers”, “(spiritual) authorities”, “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil”. We need to direct our attacks, our spiritual wargame towards these things. Your enemy is not flesh and blood but rather the one who wants to drag both of you to hell for eternity. It is crucial that this Christian principal is not forgotten.
 
                It seems easy to defeat people. And sometimes, it is! But this should never be our goal. Rather, set your sights on the slave driver who has them in chains, and pull the metaphorical trigger! The word of God does not command us to put on the whole Armor of God so that we can slay people whom He desires to call His children. This is a rescue mission for those very people. It is not an assault on mankind, but an all-out attack on the Gates of Hell so we can see captives set free just like you and I have been. But this mission is futile and will result in failure if we do not put on the whole Armor of God (more on that next week) and find our strength in the Lord and rely on HIS might and not our own. Once we do this, this goes from us being weak and feeble, out-gunned and out-witted, to us routing the enemy and waving the flags of victory in the name of our Lord!