“AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL!”

Ephesians 6:11-19                                    (ESV)

“11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able TO STAND against the schemes of the devil.

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.

14 STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,

18 PRAYING at all times in the SPIRIT, with all PRAYER and SUPPLICATION (the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly). To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL,”

Twenty years ago “this world” was in such a frenzy, doing everything it could to make more money than the next person/company, trying to get to the top of the ladder.  September 1, 2001 occurred and for a FEW DAYS we seemed to have been “knocked out”, put out of commission one might say.  Soon though, we were back into the same rat race as before, fighting anything and everything in our way.  

Soon, we Americans had a different leader.  Many believed he would be the answer to whatever our problems were.  We spent record amounts of money and did everything we could to appease OUR ENEMIES, but we failed to satisfy OUR FOES.  In a few years another leader was selected who had a different approach.  Our economy has responded well, but not everyone is happy.  

WE (Believers) need to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE who THE ENEMY is!  WE wrestle (battle, struggle) NOT against FLESH and BLOOD, but “AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL”!  Our TRUE struggle is being able to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE our enemy, and it is not the people he uses to perform his nasty deeds.  Don’t allow our focus to be taken off of PRAYING AT ALL TIMES!  Victory is already guaranteed IN CHRIST, but we have to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE “AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL!!!”