23 November 2012

11.23.12 - Who is my enemy?

Each day brings a new set of battles. Struggles. Temptations. These words connote that there is then in fact, an enemy. So who is it? Is it your spouse? Your child(ren)? Co-worker? Neighbor? Friend? Acquaintance? God? You? All of the above?

To fight the enemy, you have to know who it is and how to fight it. I give way too little credence to the enemy. There is a correct answer, by the way. And there is someone I bet who knows it. Her name is Lisa. She is a friend of a friend. Full time occupation is wife and mother to ten children. Her other occupation - a sidewalk counselor. She regularly visits abortion facilities and pleads on behalf of the unborn. Here is her literal account from last Tuesday as she interacted with those passing in and out of the facility…

"They threatened to murder my children in front of me before killing me. They told me they enjoy killing their babies and want to kill mine. Then another man here says he's seen Satan and is fully intent on enjoying the murder of his baby. I am talking today of SPECIFIC INSTANCES. And sadly MANY do not see what we see and hear what we hear here. Many women know and actually embrace their child's murder."

An extreme example? Ephesians 6:12 says, "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." The Message translation calls this battle "…for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels."

Still extreme? But surely there's a different enemy in my day to day battles? No, Ryan. No, friends. That's it.

But as always, hope. Comfort. And a battle plan. Right there, wrapped about verse 12 is the answer in verses 10-11, 13-18. The whole armor of God… Belt of truth… Breastplate of righteousness… Readiness given by the gospel… Shield of faith… Helmet of salvation… Sword of the Spirit.

Let's fight, friends. But know who we are fighting and how to win!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=ESV

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