WINNING THE BATTLE

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Having been regenerated and born of the Spirit, we are no longer of this world - we are still in this world but not of this world. It takes the renewing of one’s mind to embrace this truth. 

Just when we were not yet born again, we are still prone to committing sins and suffer offenses and setbacks. Being born again does not exempt us from what this world can offer.  We would still encounter trials and hardships.  People around us may still treat us the same way when we were yet of this world. Everyday, we would still encounter people as if they were born to annoy us, test our patience, our faith and our character.  But remember, one who is in the flesh shall wrestle against the flesh, and one who is born of the Spirit shall wrestle against the spirit.

To wrestle is to fight against - one against one or one against many. There is no struggle when both parties are in agreement. But when one opposes the other, the battle begins.

We used to be friends of this world, under the authority of Satan.  Spiritually blinded, our thoughts and actions were toward satisfying the lust of our flesh. And the moment we submit to the things of God, we became enemies of Satan and an enemy will always fight to defeat and win his rival. This is what Satan is up to – winning back every born again Christian. He will use every possible circumstance to discourage us, to divide us, to weaken us and eventually turn our back away from Christ and make friends with him once again.

When we commit sins or give in to our weaknesses, Satan is just so ready to take the lead. From a dot of shortcomings, he can turn it into an oval of mistakes until we end up suffering from condemnation - doubting our stand in the Lord. How often do we hear these self defeating words “Why am I still doing these filthy things when I am already a born again? Why do I still get mad? Why do I still lie?  Why do I still worry? Am I really a true Christian?”  

If you are this person, let met tell you that your condition is not unique.  All other Christians are experiencing the same thing, but they have learned how to deal with them.  Do not take it against yourself.  You are not an enemy to yourself.  You must know that your enemy is the devil. It is the devil who is taking advantage of your weaknesses. So let the grace of God lead you to repentance and receive the anointing of ease. Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7). 

When somebody offends us or treats us unjustly, it is very easy to become negative, wallow in self pity and meditate on how others have wronged us. We can go as far as exerting efforts to get even and make them suffer the consequences.  If we give in to this, we allow deception to take hold of us, making us operate in the flesh.  Oh how the devil desires us to focus on ourselves.  He wants us to magnify the fault and setbacks and react negatively.  Just how he had deceived Adam and Eve by tempting them to eat of the tree and be like God, he confused them with their true identity before God.  When the truth was Adam and Eve need not to be like God because they were already like God - created in His own image.

See at present, this is what the devil is trying to do – confusing us with our true identity, making us believe that we are still of this world, when the truth is we have already been purchased by the blood of our Lord Jesus and we are no longer carnal but spiritual. Praise God!

Loudly, I hear of Satan whispering, “It is ok to get even, and after all, this person had treated you badly. Look at the damage he has caused you.  You missed a good opportunity because of what he has done.  You should teach him a lesson”. How comforting his words may appear. If we were to operate in the flesh, we will buy his scheme.  But thank God for we have His Spirit ruling inside of us and telling us otherwise. “Love your enemies.  Be quick to forgive.  Bless those who curse you.  You are more than a conqueror.  Be still and know that I am God.”

When faced with such circumstance, always think that the battle is not in the physical, but it is in the spiritual.  When unfairly treated and wronged, we should not take it against the person or not even against ourselves; it is not you or the other person, but the evil spirit that is taking advantage of the situation.  The person could be unbearable and I am with you.  You may even use the worst words to describe your offenders, but then again, we do not wrestle against the flesh and blood. The moment we submit to the things of God, the spiritual battle just began. The ruler of this world will try to steal us away from the presence of God and offer us sumptuous meals till we are full and deceived.

 “The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing...” (John 6:63)  If we deal every situation in our life according to what the flesh dictates, then let us be assured that we will gain nothing.  Our thoughts and actions should no longer be in satisfying ourselves, not even others – but should be aligned towards the things of above, the things of God. The focus of our actions should be in pleasing God and in glorifying His Holy Name.  Let go of our own and think of the pleasures of God. Make a decision today and believe that you exist to worship and honor God!  

So what do we do then to our offenders?  Shall we think of getting even and punishing them, wishing that they live a miserable life?  No. Just let the offenses pass.  Think of what is more beneficial to your Spirit.  I am not teaching you to become numb and be abused by others.  We have been predestinated to be like the Son and God is teaching us the easiest way to win the battle – overcoming evil with good.

Right now, if you have people who hurt, betrayed and offended you – be quick to forgive, treat them with compassion, you pray for them and you bless them in the name of Jesus Christ. When you do this, you will not only have peace, the devil will flee from you and you will set your offenders free from the powers of the enemy.  The Light in you shall overcome the darkness that is in them, they will see the power of God and bow down to His righteousness.  Through this, you shall live in victory thus bringing glory to the Son.