Something that is rarely talked about is the fact that we are in a continual spiritual battle; it seems to be fairly evident after one is made aware of it, but it is still not commonplace to speak of it. Satan is a schemer, strategically placing obstacles and temptations on our path of life. The list of weaknesses used to captivate and ravage our hearts ranges from anger to lust, to greed, to hatred, to sexual immorality, to slander, and malice. These obstacles and temptations are not random, but aimed to target our most vulnerable and weak areas of life; we don’t all experience the same things, but we all experience something. Satan has managed to make these pitfalls impossible to elude, but God makes them possible to defeat. On the narrow path God has set up for us, Satan is waiting around every corner, but scripture tells us God has equipped us with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the scriptures, and even fitted our feet with the readiness of the gospel. If our God is for us, then who can stand against us? If our God is for us, then who can ever stop us? We can defeat Satan; every instance where we stand our ground progresses us in this spiritual warfare. We can claim victory through Christ with every refusal to fall victim to Satan’s temptations. God has not promised us an easy path, but has guaranteed his presence in the darkest times, promised to be by our side and to forever hold us in His victorious right hand.
I find it both intriguing and comforting to know that we are not alone in this spiritual battle. Since the beginning, the human race has been at war in the spiritual realm. Paul is writing to the Ephesians in today’s daily verse about this very thing. We need to know that God is there for us and on our side in this battle, and we need to look to Him for help for He has all the tools we need to succeed.
Daily 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
God gave me an image for this topic while I was walking home from bible study the other night. Bible study happens to be across campus and on the opposite side of I-35W. As I was walking over this tiny, slightly sketchy chain link fenced in walking bridge it came to me; this was just like the path God has placed me on. He was leading me across the highways of life on this narrow little sketchy bridge holding me in His right hand as I watched all these things pass me by going the wrong direction, against the grain, losing ground in the spiritual battle of life. The bridge is the fastest and most direct way home, though isn’t necessarily safest and on it I could encounter danger, or even be tempted to stray from it for a more frequented path; but as I received this image, the analogy of how it incorporated into my life could not have been more clear. I was on the path that God had intended crossing the highways of life.
Follow the path He has set aside for You, stand your ground and defeat Satan in this spiritual battle, for the reward in Heaven will be far greater than any earthly gain one could ever achieve. Remain steadfast on the path as you cross your highways of life.
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