I am so grieved by so many things right now. One quick trip on Facebook this morning and I’m confronted with so much hate, violence and anger. These were the headlines:

“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 ‭NIV

My first response to both posts was “what is wrong with you?!” I do not understand how a person, just like me, could be so full of hatred and violence. But as I read, anger and hatred starts to well in my own heart as well and I’m convicted. This is not a battle of the flesh, it is not me against her, or us against this cop. This battle, as well as every other deep seeded battle, is one against spiritual darkness. ‬‬

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:13-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This verse is SO encouraging because although the sting of evil can be very unbearable sometimes, we have weapons to fight. I think most of us who respond to these things have an inner desire to do something. The problem is that when we don’t understand it’s a spiritual battle we use our words and fists (fleshly) in vain and in anger to fight.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has given us all the tools we need to wage war against the evil forces at work! We are so equipped, powered by the love of Jesus that nothing on Earth or in heaven can separate us from!!!

Lord I pray that your people will be filled with peace, love, joy and kindness but also take up the armour of God to wage battle against spiritual darkness! I pray that our eyes would be opened to the real enemy that we are fighting and I pray for unity in the body of Christ!