“THIS PRESENT DARKNESS!”

Ephesians 6:10-12                                         (ESV)

“10 Finally, BE STRONG in the LORD and in the strength of HIS might.

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.”

Exhibiting PEACE in the midst of chaos could be an sign of Spiritual Maturity.  James 4:7 is a GREAT example of this.  “SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE UNTO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU”.  “The enemy” has to experience RESISTANCE before he flees!  When he exhibits his character through hate and discord, BELIEVERS must exhibit CALM and PEACE to squelch his attacks.  We ARE IN THE MIDST OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE, whether we realize it or not!  

Ephesians 6:12 boldly and plainly states “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.”  When others have an a point of view that is contrary to ours, the tendency is to lash out and prove that we are correct.  However, very seldom are minds changed without the HEART experiencing a DIVINE transformation.  

Certainly one of the most dramatic transformations is in Acts 9!  “...Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD” is how the chapter begins.  In verse 25 of Acts 9 Saul is being sought by “the Jews” who were plotting to kill him.  Did Saul try to reason (or ARGUE) with “the Jews”?  No, he was lowered through the wall in a basket by some disciples to escape.  When the time was right (in Rome years later), Paul was reportedly beheaded, possibly by Nero.  

THE SPIRIT OF GOD indwells BELIEVERS to guide our lives TO GLORIFY JESUS!  There are only going to be “few” (Matthew 7:24) that enter into HEAVEN.  Sure, we are CALLED to “go and tell”.  But there are times when we need to escape in a basket over a wall, allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to do what only HE can do?  And then there are times when we will be CALLED to surrender our lives!  We have to be willing to TRUST and OBEY, both when the HOLY SPIRIT leads us to escape, and when HE asks us to STAND AGAINST THE COSMIC POWERS OVER “THIS PRESENT DARKNESS””!