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.
Ephesians  6:12  (NKJV)


The reality of the conflict between Christ and Satan over the human soul is a concept that is difficult for most people, including myself, to grasp.  World War II began during the last years of my college experience.  Sensing the reality of that war was not difficult.  The aftermath found millions dead or wounded, cities devastated, and nations agonizingly resurrecting themselves from ruin.


But the idea of spiritual warfare, in which we are all involved, sometimes seems fictitious.  In this battle, we don't feel ourselves being blown up; we hear no bullets whizzing by.  In fact, we can't see the generals or the troops of either fighting side.


For this very reason, Paul says,  "Our fight is not against any physical enemy."  Thus, our warfare is all the more dangerous because of its subtlety and illusiveness.  No one denies the existence or the reality of psychological warfare.  But many deny or ignore the greatest war in the history of the universe, a war that for thousands of years has never ceased for a moment in its fury.


The sun is shining, and the children are dressed in their Sabbath clothes.  Dad has on a new tan suit, and mother wears a lovely summer dress.  A Bible and Sabbath school quarterly are in the hands of both parents and children.  What a lovely sight to behold, as they get into the car and head for Sabbath school and church services!


But tragedy strikes.  No, not an accident. Nobody guns them down.  Dad and mother get into an argument over some silly point, and one finally shouts to the other,  "Shut up!"  Six-year-old Jimmy begins to cry, and older sister Mary is dumb with bewilderment.  Mother and dad glare at each other.  The scars of that spiritual accident will last as long as that family is alive.  "We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world."


You can understand why Paul urges,  "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."  Ephesians  6:11 (NKJV)


taken from: First Things First
                      February 7
                 by: Bob Spangler