We struggle against spiritual wickedness

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Today, there's a lot of wrestling going on. Some are warring against the political machine in marches, sit-ins, or unfruitful speech. Some are fighting against an ideology, a tradition, or a rule. Others contend with their employers, the slight of another, or within their marriage. Folks are fighting and backbiting against each other all over the place... and the Bible calls that darkness (1 John 2:9).

Christians are not immune. Believers get tangled in the emotional-detours of our day. They get caught up in fighting for a cause, for a name, or they over-extend themselves in their church work. They so want to help others that they cannot say no and by doing so they soon burn themselves out-another victim of the enemies schemes. Others sit and do practically nothing, they either don't care, haven't been taught or are so logged down with depression, fear or guilt that they have not the strength to rise and serve.

Christians, not those in name but those in practice... also have a struggle to contend with... a spiritual battle. Believers in Jesus are born again into a spiritual Kingdom, the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5). Their names are written in the Lamb's book of Life (Rev. 13:8) and they are enlisted as a soldier in the army of Christ. They fight not with weapons of iron, or sharpened tongues, but through trusting and obeying in the Captain of their Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their Captain whispers, 'trust my Word, Live by my Word, and let my words course through the veins of your heart, soul, and mind.' And, 'do you want to hear me, turn to my Word'; 'do you have problems or need peace or rest, then trust in me, return to me, and turn to my Word... open your heart for I am near.'

For by standing in word and deed you stand for Christ and you oppose the evil one, Satan. By following Acts 17:11 and through studying, questioning, and 'contending for the faith that was once delivered' then we stand against his devices. He loves it when we are idle... when we except the status-quo,when the Gospel of self-denial, sacrifice, and "take up your cross andfollow me" is replaced with a lackadaisical message that promotes little of the Fear of the Lord, repentance, or fruit.

So put on the whole armor of God. Live through prayerfulness, watch continually through the lens of God's Word, and practice in your life what the Holy Spirit prompts you to follow in His Word. And when you fail, falter, miss-the-mark, and sin then return to 1 John 1:9--cleanse your robe, wipe that spot from your garment through the blood of Jesus Christ and then study, take counsel, and seek-out how to work-through, overcome, and beat that stumbling-block through faith, grace, mercy, and God's Word. When we take that dead, rotting, beam of wood out of our eye... then we can know how to help those who are suffering; so many... need us to step-up!