Daily Devotional For Friday, May 3, 2024

Well, you made it to Fantastic Friday Southside. You are hours from getting some rest from the weekend and worshipping Jesus Christ on Sunday. All week you have battled stress at work or school or both. You’ve been in a battle to get projects completed and expectations met. We see these and feel these because of how real they are. We get evaluated and judged by either a boss or teacher or spouse or someone else. But while all of this was going on this past week, you were also in another battle: spiritual warfare. 

The Bible says this in Ephesians 6:11-12, “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” (ESV). The real enemy is not people, but the devil and his demons. God tells us to be aware of the “schemes” of the devil. The Greek New Testament word translated as “schemes” is [μεθοδεία, methodic}, where we get our English word “methods.” 

The devil and his demons are a powerful eternal foe. He and his demons have been scheming and plotting against us ever since God created this planet. He has more methods that Carter has pills. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what buttons to push and which bait to use. This is why James says this in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (ESV). If we are submitting to God, then we are at the same time resisting the devil. The Greek New Testament word translated as “resist” is [ἀνθίστημι, anthistēmi]. It literally means “to stand against, to oppose.” 

Meaning there is no middle ground and no room for neutrality. This is why James says this in James 4:4, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (ESV). Therefore, to take a stand with the Lord Jesus Christ means we stand against everything sinful, evil, demonic and wrong. 

And since we do not see demons or the devil, it is easy for us to forget that we are engaged in spiritual warfare. It is easy for us to think “flesh and blood” are the enemy — our spouse, a co-worker, a neighbor, the guy/woman driving 25 mph in a 45 mile zone. It is easy to think that people are our enemy. This is why the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6 reminds us that our engagement in this spiritual warfare is far more serious than we think. We are in a fight to the end to win. We can see this battle in our homes and hearts and the world around us. 

There is coming a day when this battle will finally end, but until it does, we must remember to trust and depend on what God says in His word. Look at:

• Romans 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (ESV). 
• 1 John 4:4, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He (Jesus Christ) who is in you is greater than he (the devil) who is in the world” (ESV).
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. (10) For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! . . . (12) And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (ESV). 

Meaning with Jesus Christ, we are better. With each other, we are better. Awlwyn Balnave lives in Calgary, Canada, and shared the following story:

“A few years ago, an old acquaintance of mine served as a police officer in a northern native settlement in Canada. One day a rabid wolf wandered into the aboriginal settlement. My friend eventually shot it, but not before it attacked a young man and his grandmother in their home, making kindling out of a chair the young man used to protect himself from his attacker.

There were about 150 sled dogs in the village—more than a match for one sick wolf—yet the intruder was left alone to do her work. Why? My friend explained that in order to prevent the dogs from fighting and wounding each other, they had each been tied to wooden stakes spaced far enough apart to prevent them from reaching any neighboring animal. Because of this, the wolf walked freely among the dogs, killing some and badly wounding others. In isolation they were no match for their foe, and they suffered terribly for it.

What a picture of the need for every Christian to belong to a body of believers. Alone and isolated, Christians present themselves as much easier prey for the schemes of the Enemy of our souls” (Source: https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2008/june/4061608.html).

Southside, we need each other. Let’s covenant to no longer needle each other. satan has been opposing the purposes of God since the first chapters of Genesis, and he will continue until Jesus comes to exact ultimate judgment upon him and his kingdom. Until that day, let’s face the reality of the warfare we’re engaged in. Let’s arm ourselves with every spiritual weapon God provides and prepare to meet the challenges our enemy places before us. Look at Ephesians 6:10-18:

“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. (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. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (ESV). Southside, we are in a spiritual war against an enemy the is highly organized and has a hierarchy of demonic rulers, powers, and forces of wickedness. We should think of them as a “spiritual mafia.” It is characterized by unparalleled wickedness.

Christian author Kent Hughes writes this: “satan has no conscience, no compassion, no remorse, no morals. He feeds on pain and anguish and filth”(Source: Kent Hughes, Ephesians, p. 216).

Questions To Consider

1. Do you believe in spiritual warfare? If so, why? 
2. Where are you most vulnerable in spiritual warfare and why? Which of the verses above (i.e, Romans 8:37, 1 John 4:4, and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12) can you claim to help you with spiritual warfare and why?
3. In the story above from Awlwyn Balnave, are you trying to go through you spiritual warfare alone, or do you have a spiritual battalion to help you? Why or why not? Who could you become a spiritual soldier for to help them win their battles in their spiritual battles?
4. Why do you think we tend to see people as the enemy and not the devil and his demons?
5. Why do you think many people, even Christians, do not either believe in spiritual warfare or engage in it? So, what does this tell you and why?

Scripture to Meditate On: Colossians 1:13-14, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (ESV). 

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, please help me to see that I am engaged in spiritual warfare and not to underestimate my real enemy. Lord, please forgive me when I think people are the enemy when in reality it is the devil and his demons. Lord, use me to help other believers in their spiritual warfare and please bring others to help me in mine. I love You Jesus. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly