Our Struggle
Date: October 17, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 6:12
L - Listen for God's Word and Pray: Heavenly Father, help me to understand the spiritual battles I face in this world. Give me discernment to recognize the real enemy, which is not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of evil. Strengthen me in my faith and equip me with the armor of God to stand firm in these battles.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome. In this particular verse, Paul is emphasizing the spiritual nature of the struggles faced by believers. He wants them to realize that their true adversaries are not other people but the spiritual forces of evil. This verse reminds us that our earthly conflicts are often manifestations of deeper spiritual battles. It urges us to focus on the spiritual aspect and not harbor resentment or hatred towards fellow human beings. Instead, we should put on the armor of God, as mentioned in the previous verses, to withstand these spiritual attacks.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: K
"Struggle": This word highlights that the Christian life can be a battle, but it's not against other people.
"Not against flesh and blood": This phrase emphasizes that our real enemies are not human, but spiritual.
"Rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, spiritual forces of evil": These terms describe the spiritual hierarchy of evil forces.
These key words and phrases emphasize the spiritual dimension of our struggles as Christians.
S - Summarize and Share:
Devotional: Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that life is not just a physical or material existence; it's also a spiritual journey. We face challenges, conflicts, and difficulties that may appear to be rooted in human interactions, but this verse unveils the deeper reality.
Think about the times you've had disagreements or conflicts with others. It's easy to see the person as the problem. But when we dig deeper, we realize that there are spiritual forces at work, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Understanding this can transform how we respond to conflicts. Instead of harboring anger or resentment, we can pray for discernment and put on the armor of God. We can pray for the well-being of those we may see as adversaries, recognizing that they, too, might be influenced by these spiritual forces.
As you face challenges, remember that your real enemy is not the people around you but the spiritual forces at work. Suit up in the armor of God, pray fervently, and walk in the light of Christ's victory. In doing so, you'll find strength, resilience, and the ability to love even in the face of adversity.
4 Bible Cross References:
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV) "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
James 4:7 (NIV) "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer."