INVISIBLE WAR
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
When I was young, my parents had a house rule that my sister and I were not allowed to watch scary movies or any programming that contained spiritual forces of evil. Out of protection for our family, they did not invite those forces into our home, a concept that I didn’t fully understand until I had my own children. It’s true that we must discern what we choose to watch on TV, the music we listen to, the books we read—everything that takes up space in our minds. What goes into your mind comes out in your life.
There is a spiritual realm around us that contains good and evil forces. We have a spiritual component because we are created in the image of God, but there is an enemy of your soul. Scripture tells us, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NIV). The enemy is cunning and manipulative. His schemes aren’t always obvious to us because he is the Father of Lies. In The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, the main character, a demon named Screwtape, gives instructions and insights to his apprentice nephew. He tells his nephew, Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. Often, we fall for the lies because they are so subtle.
But here’s the good news: Jesus came and took the punishment for our sins on the cross. He died for the lies we follow. He died to save our souls. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8 NIV). He did not leave us in darkness at the mercy of our enemy. Instead, He promised to walk with us and cover us in His righteousness. It is because of Him that we have weapons to fight against the forces of evil.
APPLICATION: Read about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:14-17. How can you protect against the schemes of the enemy?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for paying the ransom for my sin by sending Your Son to die for me. Help me to discern against the lies of the enemy. Protect me with Your armor and cover me with Your grace. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?