Skip to main content

Against Whom?

             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. 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. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

I know that I recently referred to this passage, and I often do, but this time, it was suggested by Biblegateway.com. Lacking a better idea, I’m running with it. Recently, I had a discussion with someone who was trash-talking Mr. Biden – calling him a fool. While I didn’t suggest it then, maybe next time I’ll remember. Let’s try a thought experiment. Suppose that someone with a magic wand cast a spell on Mr. Biden, turning him into a Conservative. Would you still consider him a fool?  Would you start considering him a fool? Often, I suspect that “Fool” is used to label someone with whose philosophy (and therefore whose actions) we disagree. If the person in question were on our side, we would not be so quick to apply the label.

What this means is that it’s not important whether or not the person is a fool. What is important  is whether the worldview or philosophy held is foolish. That’s what today’s passage is saying. The person who opposes us isn’t the danger. The ideas he holds are. They can change.

“Oh no! Don’t be stupid. Biden will never change.”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Impossible? Perhaps for you and me. Are we praying for Mr. Biden? Do we believe God can either change him or remove him? Are we engaging in spiritual warfare as we should? If you think Mr. Biden is wonderful, do you believe that God can change the politician you like to call a fool, or a monster, or whatever? Are you engaging in spiritual warfare as you should? Or do you think God is either too weak? Or do you just think that you know better than He does?

And if the problem isn’t the person, are not only praying, but learning what you can so that you can more effectively do battle against the ideas that are the true enemies?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saved?

  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:4)   What conclusion do you draw when someone who was raised in a Christian family and church, perhaps even playing a significant role in a chur...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Shepherd!

                 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep . (John 10:14) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:14) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths     for his name’s sake. Even though I walk     through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,     for you are with me; your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4) For the Jews, it was politically incorrect to make claims about yourself as a teacher (or possibly as anything else.) Teachers were expected to take pride in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen To Him

              The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him . (Deuteronomy 18:15)           Today, we switch from Jesus’ claims of “I am” to prophecies made about Him. My Bible platform is starting in Deuteronomy. I’d start in Genesis, where we would learn that the one who would save us would be a descendant of Eve (Genesis 3:15), of Noah (by default), Abram and Sara(Genesis 12:1-3). Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Jacob (Genesis 25:23), Judah (Genesis 29:8), and David (II Samuel 7:12-16). There were also references to a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32). In addition, there were prophecies about when and where the prophet/Messiah would be born and what would happen to him.           Of course, naysayers will claim that Jesus’ life was retrofitted or reverse enginee...
Post a Comment
Read more