I started to write something about truth, but after a few sentences, I felt like I was being directed to talk about this topic “People”. Our fight is not with one another, but that is what is seems like it has come too.
One of my greatest struggles is with this verse:
Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
My struggle is that people choose their course of action. Yes they be misled by Satan and his demons, but God has given us His word. Now that does not mean we will instantly be perfect, but it does mean we try to do God’s will, but along with that, God gave us free will. So why shouldn’t our fight be against humans who have taken the direction of following Satan or rejecting God?
Besides the obvious, we are told not too, there is also the fact that every life is worth saving no matter how evil we think they are because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. God does not say that sin is this bad and that is much worse, He says all sin is the same, end of discussion.
I’ve tried to dig deep to understand this verse which like I said is one of my greatest struggles. I believe this verse is saying people stop fighting with one another and understand who your true enemy is. Yes people may have decided to do this or do that which is wrong, but so have you. Instead, fight for those who you have an issue with in the spiritual realm. This is further confirmed in Matthew 5:43-48 where we are told to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
God knows where the true fight is, and it is not in our physical form. Our battles need to be fought in the spiritual realm. This is what the second half of that verse means.
So the next time your neighbor, friend, politician, etc., does something that is wrong in your eyes, do not fight them, but instead fight the spirit that may be controlling or influencing them. In other words fight for them and not against them.
I know this is a hard topic for many of you, it certainly is for me. I sometimes want to beat people over the head, but that is not what God wants me to do. He wants me to fight on their behalf against Satan. So that is what I am going to try to do. Notice I said try because I am sure I will stumble a lot.
If this is an area you struggle with, then go to God in prayer and ask Him to help you. Ask Him how you can fight for others. Ask Him what areas in your life need improvement so that you can fight for others. Be prepared for an answer you do not like.