Well, that is a provocative title, isn't it? Who are your enemies? I really hope that they aren't anyone who actually has flesh and blood because that isn't who the Bible says is your enemies. Here is what the Bible says:
Ephesians 6:12- For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
That's right. God is telling us that our neighbor, spouse, child, government, friend, people we don't like or respect, in-laws, other races or religions, extended family, school teachers, or any other person we may "fight" with is not our enemy. Our enemies are spiritual. And this is the Good News. Our enemies are defeated and under the feet of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 15:24-28-Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
This morning, I read a pretty violent passage from the Bible. It is in Joshua Chapter 10. It spoke of a war between Israel and her allies, Gibeon, and five kings of Canaanite. The Lord God fought for Israel, His people. God is always fighting for His people. That why we can call Him our Refuge in times of trouble, our Deliverer, and our Mighty Warrior. Israel, of course, won. The thing is that the five kings tried to hide in a cave. They were found out and brought forth. Joshua told the captains to put their feet on the kings necks. Then, he said this out of verse 25:
Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
The Lord has put all things under Jesus feet. All things!!! That in includes fear. Doubt, unbelief, depression, illness, poverty, pain, anger, sorrow, grief, and death. All things!!! Accusations, addictions, divorce, despair, racism, and sin. All things!!! What do we do? I mean, the army of Israel did something in this war. They weren't sitting idly by, just waiting to see what God would do. They fought along side their God. That's what we do, too. First, we put on the amour of God. This is what Ephesians 6:10-18 says:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
There are a lot of good Bible studies on the amour of God. I just finished one by Priscilla Shirer. Second we need to renew our minds. Jesus tells us that our spirit is so willing to follow God, but our flesh is pretty weak and wars against it. In other words, our flesh doesn't know what is good for it. Maybe that is why exercising, eating well, and getting good rest is a lot harder than it really should be. Here is an excellent fighting Scripture for victory over our thinking:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
Since God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and God is love, when our thoughts aren't in line with the Word of God, we are wrong. We must turn that around by casting that thought down and renewing our mind with the truth of the Lord. Oh, yes, it is very, very hard work. But, you know, with God, nothing is impossible. We really can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. God's grace and strength helps us in our weaknesses. Which brings me to the third thing we must do to fight our enemies. Trust the Lord.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
That Scripture is from Proverbs 3:5-6. Quit trying to figure it all out. Trust the Lord. Pray. Know that God will be with you, every step, every time, always victorious!!! God bless you as you grow in the Lord. You are growing, you know? Have a great day.
Ephesians 6:12- For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
That's right. God is telling us that our neighbor, spouse, child, government, friend, people we don't like or respect, in-laws, other races or religions, extended family, school teachers, or any other person we may "fight" with is not our enemy. Our enemies are spiritual. And this is the Good News. Our enemies are defeated and under the feet of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 15:24-28-Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
This morning, I read a pretty violent passage from the Bible. It is in Joshua Chapter 10. It spoke of a war between Israel and her allies, Gibeon, and five kings of Canaanite. The Lord God fought for Israel, His people. God is always fighting for His people. That why we can call Him our Refuge in times of trouble, our Deliverer, and our Mighty Warrior. Israel, of course, won. The thing is that the five kings tried to hide in a cave. They were found out and brought forth. Joshua told the captains to put their feet on the kings necks. Then, he said this out of verse 25:
Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
The Lord has put all things under Jesus feet. All things!!! That in includes fear. Doubt, unbelief, depression, illness, poverty, pain, anger, sorrow, grief, and death. All things!!! Accusations, addictions, divorce, despair, racism, and sin. All things!!! What do we do? I mean, the army of Israel did something in this war. They weren't sitting idly by, just waiting to see what God would do. They fought along side their God. That's what we do, too. First, we put on the amour of God. This is what Ephesians 6:10-18 says:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
There are a lot of good Bible studies on the amour of God. I just finished one by Priscilla Shirer. Second we need to renew our minds. Jesus tells us that our spirit is so willing to follow God, but our flesh is pretty weak and wars against it. In other words, our flesh doesn't know what is good for it. Maybe that is why exercising, eating well, and getting good rest is a lot harder than it really should be. Here is an excellent fighting Scripture for victory over our thinking:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
Since God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and God is love, when our thoughts aren't in line with the Word of God, we are wrong. We must turn that around by casting that thought down and renewing our mind with the truth of the Lord. Oh, yes, it is very, very hard work. But, you know, with God, nothing is impossible. We really can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. God's grace and strength helps us in our weaknesses. Which brings me to the third thing we must do to fight our enemies. Trust the Lord.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
That Scripture is from Proverbs 3:5-6. Quit trying to figure it all out. Trust the Lord. Pray. Know that God will be with you, every step, every time, always victorious!!! God bless you as you grow in the Lord. You are growing, you know? Have a great day.
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