battles

I learned this past week the true meaning of Ephesians 6:12, which says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

 If you don't believe that these powers and authorities of darkness exist, trust me they do! I don't give Satan the credit, I give God the glory for bringing me through it. But, he, the devil, knows where we are weak and can twist reality into lies that are believable. It's scary! However, the two verses that precede this verse tell us to be strong in God's power and to put on the "full armor" so that we can stand against the attacks that WILL come! Trust me, when the devil knows you are up to something good, he will do whatever he can to stop it.

I am reminded of the verses that tell us that God, our father, longs to discipline the ones he loves. It makes me feel that He wants me to succeed against these attacks by trusting Him, but also by being strong, having on the armor (combating the attack with prayer, scripture, Godly counsel, etc.) I am working on that part!

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.