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.
Ephesians 6:12 is my favorite verse - or it is at least the most needed verse in my life on any given day. I find it difficult to keep at the forefront of my thinking because my eyes wander in all directions but up. I can be in the right mindset during gospel community fellowship, Sunday morning corporate worship or during family worship dinner, then all of a sudden have life throw a stick in my spokes and I forget that my struggle is NOT against whatever my eyes can see.
How many of us find ourselves operating in the flesh in the parking lot of Church 2 minutes after we got in the car?!
Ephesians 6:12 Is a constant reminder of the reality that our "struggle" is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over his present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. These are demonic influences.
If we don't believe demonic influences are at large, we'll be the kind of parents who don't get down on their knees by their kids bed and pray for protection over their children.
If we don't believe demonic influences seek to disrupt and break up your marriage, we'll be the kind of couple that not only avoids praying together as a couple, but we will hate it. Who is influencing us NOT to pray with our spouses? It's not God...
If we don't believe demonic influences are at constant work to take our mind off God, we will be the kind of people who are constantly frustrated with other people and situations.
No wonder the Church is full of people who don't pray with their spouses - don't pray over their kids - don't pray throughout the day; because we don't believe the enemy is at large. We just live with the attack with no end in sight.
Print out Ephesians 6:12 and put it somewhere, everywhere, anywhere to remind you of the reality of the Spiritual world. Be on your guard. The devil prowls around like a one eyed cat in a bird show looking for any opportunity to get your eyes off God and onto some petty 1st world problem that easily trips you up.
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