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 (Eph 6:12)~~ Things are so tense right now, whether it’s Washington or the West Bank; to shops and schools or any other given place, but in so many places around the world; and worse yet, in our families and even in our own homes! People are at each other’s throats… and the burning question is “Why?”. Why are we in such a war with each other? Every little thing seems to bring up tensions nowadays. What’s so horrible about it is that it’s not just the big things like politics or social injustices and racial tensions, but LITTLE things are setting us off and we’re making them bigger than they really are.
The enemy is planting little seeds of discord among us and sprinkling just enough tension on it all and things are growing up into massive blooms of destruction of marriages, the family, friendships and every sort of relationship in existence. People cite things like race and status and other differences between classes of people. They bring up things like one’s affluence versus another’s struggle; the long-term hatred of a particular race. One says they’re trying to take this away from them or destroy that – that when “their kind” has a problem, they resort to violence so now everyone has to be on guard. Political, social and economic differences are just as tense as a racial divide these days.
Truth is, we’re all still…. people! We make enemies of people because they look different, or have different cultures or beliefs, or because they come from a different place… or simply because they’re a different … race! Sometimes it’s the simple words said by people, through the things that belong to our souls; and they labor to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. Seems like people can be experts at pushing our buttons. And the rapid-fire forums of social media contribute to and vastly accelerate the tension as so many more people and comments are made public within seconds of an activity. They can say or do just the right things to get your mind going and your blood boiling! Again, look back at this – – LITTLE things that are in and of themselves, really points of nothingness that have been transformed into the ticking time bombs of humanity and the acts of a war bigger than any two countries… man against man!
But the combat we often find ourselves in is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature; we have to do with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls. The devil assaults us through random thoughts in our minds. Once evil has gained it’s stronghold, it succeeds in keeping you from God’s purpose in your life. The devil can’t harm us but he is a master at getting us to harm ourselves. So what are we doing????Well, we riot and loot; we fight and lash out at each other as we all are tricked by the enemy’s evil principalities. If you look at the status of affairs in the world, look at the various movements and the overall mindset being developed by man these days – how many things that we were all raised to know as wrong have become acceptable practice? No, the devil can’t take us out but if only he can turn us away from God…and then against each other…gotcha! Again, the devil can’t hurt us but he can get us to hurt ourselves and each other through his twisted plot!
Therefore my friend, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:13-17).
Friend, Don’t let people get to you! Don’t be fooled by the tricks of the enemy; but know who the ‘real’ enemy is and what’s happening around you! We must resolve by God’s grace, not to yield to Satan. Give no place to the devil! Resist him, and he will flee. If we react, we give way, and he will get ground. If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armour, we give the enemy an advantage. May you pray and receive when antagonized, that fruit of the Spirit… Self Control.
Wake up!
Tenntuxx 