Ephesians 6:12 – 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.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE BATTLE AND OUR FOES. Fellow Christian, we are in a war. When Christ saved us, He enlisted us in His army as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). We are called to battle and our “enlistment” contract has no expiration date. In this war, there will never be a cease-fire, negotiations for peace, or the ability to take a day of battle off. It will be constant, intense, and dangerous. Our enemies are strong, cunning, and united in the spirit of utter hatred toward God which establishes their objective in this war – our defeat. This war occurs all around us as well as in us.

First, the war all around us begins with the world. This ungodly place with all its evils, sensual pleasures, and blatant refusal of God is completely given over to our destruction. The world is no friend of the Christian. And the Bible makes it clear we cannot love or befriend it if we are to be soldiers of the cross – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Fellow soldiers, we cannot cozy up to the world and all its allurements for one moment. If we do, distractions fill our minds and hearts. Then the world removes our sense of being pilgrims and aliens in this world. That is the first step to backsliding; comfortableness in the world.

Our next foe in the war all around us is the devil. This temporary head of this world has one reason for existence; to deny God His glory and that primarily through His redeemed people. Satan’s number one target for annihilation is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ – the chief institution designed to reflect God’s glory in a fallen world. Obviously, that will not happen but it can happen to us individually and as a church. Jesus has promised He would build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). But that doesn’t mean our local assemblies will continue. Read about the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:1-5. This was a good church, a doctrinally-sound church, a church doing good works in the community, and yet, they went out of existence. They ceased to exist. Why? The devil cooled their affections for Christ. They drifted and first love was gone. And when first love for Christ is gone, Christ is gone. Fellow warriors, how does the devil attack us and thus the church of the Lord Jesus in cooling our heart for Him? Many ways, but here is one. When Christians downplay the importance of the local church for spiritual health. When Christians see church as “What is in it for me?” and don’t plant themselves in one with a commitment to serve, sacrifice, pray, and be a part of that family for the purpose of partnership in the Gospel that candlestick will go out and the devil wins the battle.

The final foe in this battlefield called “life” is not outward but inward. We have a foe within us; a traitor, an invader. It is called “remaining sin” or the old nature. One of the surest signs of spiritual life is this inward conflict that rages. It is the battle of all battles. I don’t need to go into details. Every true Christian is right now shaking their head in agreement. The Apostle Paul describes it like this, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me” (Romans 7:15-17). Fellow soldiers, our foes of the world and devil are great, but they fall behind our greatest enemy in this soul battle; our remaining sin. Here is where the world and devil do their work of exploitation. They enflame the sin in us and make us casualties in the war.

Life is a battle but not a battle with disobedient children, insensitive spouses, difficult co-workers, demanding bosses or selfish friends and families. No, our battles are in the spiritual realms outside and inside us. To be aware of them is the first step to being armed against them.

PRAYER: “Father, help me fight the good fight today knowing I am in a constant spiritual battle this side of heaven.”

QUOTE: The Christian is either doing battle and winning or ignoring the reality of spiritual conflict, lying in defeat”