We will once again end our week looking at the reading from Ephesians appointed for Sunday. This passage follows nicely our recent discussion of the distinctions between spirit and flesh. Paul reminds his readers that their enemies, though they may have human faces, are not those actual people so much as the spiritual forces of evil that animate them.
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the spiritual realm.
We need to remember where our battle ground really is – that can help us avoid demonizing other people and begin to pray for them instead. And it invites us to lay down our human weapons – anger, aggression, gossip, manipulation – and instead take up what Paul calls the full armor of God. As he details each piece of this armor – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit – notice that each item is for defense. The only weapon mentioned is the sword of the Spirit, which Paul says is the word of God. Though that is often used as a blunt instrument, it is a force we can wield with truth and love in humility.
I consider this text foundational for living the Christian life. It reminds us where the true battle is, with the forces of evil that seek to degrade and destroy humanity. Accurately pinpointing the enemy is key to defeating him. And let's not forget that Christ has already vanquished this enemy. Yes, the skirmishes with evil continue, as sin is woven so deep into human hearts and interactions, but Christ’s authority over evil also prevails. We need only invoke the name of Jesus, and in his power and love command the evil one to depart and take his minions with him. Does that sound too easy? Maybe it is, if only more Christians would deploy this weapon given to us instead of expending our limited strength trying to fight battles Christ has already won.
Beyond all these forms of spiritual armor, which amount to claiming our inheritance as saints of God, Paul admonishes us to, “Pray in the Spirit at all times …. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”
Praying for each other, for all those in ministry, all those who engage the forces of evil, is an essential part of the battle. Often, if we lead with prayer, we find the opposition fades away altogether. That has been my experience, at times when I’ve realized there was some spiritual warfare going on in a difficult situation. When I rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus, and invite Jesus to cover the situation with his power and love, I am brought back to a place of peace.
The “cosmic powers of this present darkness” are making a lot of noise in our world. As reaction to modest gains toward peace and justice bring to the surface uglier human realities like hated, greed, racism, xenophobia, exploitation, there is a lot of flack flying. It is easy to target those who generate it, and they do bear responsibility. But our fight is not with them; in fact, fighting with them yields only more fighting.
Let’s pray for them, and take our fight to the one scripture calls the father of lies, the accuser. Better yet, let’s line up behind Jesus and let him do the fighting for us, as we go about his work of restoring to wholeness all life degraded by the evil one. That is how we remain strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.
To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here.
No comments:
Post a Comment