The War We Often Miss

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."EPHESIANS 6:12

 

PONDER THIS

There is a spiritual world. Some will laugh at the idea of demons and spirits, and they may be somewhat amazed that a supposedly educated man would teach about the reality of demons. The problem is, there is no way possible that you can take the Bible at face value and deny the reality of the demonic.

It will be a great day in America when people learn everything spiritual is not necessarily good. There is spiritual righteousness and spiritual wickedness. Our battle is not primarily any earthly power. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood; we are wrestling against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. And the reason we don't win the battle many times is we don't show up for the war. We don't even know where the war is. And therefore, we go down in defeat. God has given us the means to be prepared if we will come to Him.

What are your beliefs about the spiritual realm? What does the Bible say compared with how you typically operate?

How does recognizing there are spiritual battles change how you deal with the challenges of today?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask a pastor what he has learned about spiritual warfare. Ask how you can grow in awareness and preparedness.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do You Feel Opposition from the Enemy?

“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do." 1 CORINTHIANS 16:9-10

 

PONDER THIS

Obviously, Satan does not want the Church to succeed to be mightily used of God! And Satan has all kinds of machinations, devices, and tricks to stop, slow down, or discourage the people of God. You might say, “Pastor, I don’t feel any satanic opposition.” But that’s not something I would brag about. If you and the devil have never met head-on, it’s because you are going in the same direction. If you turn around, rather than being in collusion with him, you’ll be in collision with him. There is always the opposition of Satan. But that doesn’t mean that, when Satan opposes, God is not for us. Paul said, “There is a great and open door, but” he said, “there are many adversaries.” And the door to the room of opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition. There’s no cheap way, no easy way, and no lazy way. When you try to do something for God and endeavor to let Him use you, you’re going to meet satanic opposition.

In the Bible, the devil is described as a deceiver, a liar, a murderer, an accuser, a tempter, and a destroyer. He has many aliases, but he has one desire: to dishonor and discredit the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and every member of it.

When have you felt opposition from the enemy? What was that like?

What does it look like to press on in the face of opposition?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray for the universal Church and each member of it. Pray for endurance in opposition and against spiritual attack.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers