Who are You Fighting?
Ephesians 6:12
“ For our metformin 500 mg buy struggle is not against flesh&blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Because relationships are complicated and risky, it’s inevitable that we experience misunderstandings, miscommunication, disagreements, and arguments. There are moments when we find ourselves especially hurt and offended by a person, and the “war” begins.
Who is your enemy right now? It could be your schoolmate, your best friend, you teacher, your brother, or even your parents. They just don’t understand you. They are selfish. Insensitive. Tactless. Or just plain mean. And you say to yourself, “Life would be so much better without this person around.”
Just last night, my eyes were glued on the TV as I watched the drama unfold in Libya. I can only imagine the fear people there are experiencing, and the hopelessness the opposition is facing as they are outnumbered and out-armed by Ghadaffi’s troops. Later that night we watched an old French film “A Very Long Engagement.” It’s a love story, but it speaks a lot about wars and its effect on people. It’s truly heartbreaking to see people killing each other. (I have this sudden urge to burst into song and join the last song number in the recent Gulliver’s Travels movie).
But who is our enemy? Is it the dictator who’s been ruling the nation for decades? The soldiers from the other country who wants to take control? The criminal? The killer? Those who keep on hurting us?
Ephesians 6 reminds us that in the different wars of our lives, we need to remember that the enemy is not people. It is SIN and the Father of all Lies (Satan), who is determined to ruin and hurt the people Jesus loved to death on the Cross.
Application
The next time you find yourself at odds with someone and you are so tempted to hate the person, remember, s/he is not your enemy. Hate the sin, but not the sinner. And because the battle is not against people but against Satan and his demons in the spiritual realms, use God’s armor: belt of Truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness to share the Gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit (Word of God), and Prayers (Eph 6:13-18). Use these to battle the tensions in your relationships.
Prayer
Dear Lord, teach me to love and not hate my enemies. Remind me who my real enemy is. It’s impossible for me to love those who hurt me; but by your power, grace, and example on the cross, I know that You can enable me. Today I choose to fight the real enemy through Your armor. By Your grace, alone. Amen.
