The apostle Paul tells us in the sixth chapter of Ephesians that our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against the very forces of evil in high places.  Satan has an army of fallen creatures that follow him in rebellion against God.  They use powerful weapons, such as strong delusions and dazzling attention-getters to turn our thinking away from the truth of God.  Let’s just say that the devil has known the power of good special effects for many centuries, and his minions use them against the human race.

Humanity in general is not the only target of evil plans.  The true people of God, the born-again church, are especially targeted by evil every day.  Interestingly, we don’t really need a lot of help from the devil to think stupid thoughts or to do stupid things.  Our own fleshly desires and ambitions get us into trouble all the time.  But we, as God’s children, do have the Holy Spirit of God inside of us to make us strong against evil.  Maybe that’s why the forces of darkness take special delight in pulling us off track.

Thankfully, we are never alone in our struggle.  We have a great light from God that shines brightly on the path of life, exposing evil for what it is, and showing us a better way to walk.

The Bible is our spiritual guide book from the Lord, an excellent source of truth and more truth — pure light from God’s own Spirit to shine on our pathway and keep us on track.  In fact, we have many wonderful tools and armor, given by God to protect and defend us in the spiritual battles we face each day.  Along these lines, we should follow the Spirit-inspired advice Paul gave to the early Christian believers in Ephesus:

“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…”

(Ephesians 6:10-18, NKJV)

We need not walk as those who have no light.  We need not be carried along with every rumor and every wave of human foolishness.  We have a Rock, which is Christ the Lord, and we have great protection against the flaming arrows of evil that are aimed for our very hearts.  In Christ we are more than conquerors.  Trusting in Jesus we will always win.

Jim