We loved our time away with the youth when Ben was the youth pastor. We did some pretty fun and memorable things. From camping to retreats to themed nights at the church. It was some of my favourite times in ministry. But it wasn’t until later in our marriage that we noticed a pattern in our marriage. We would have a huge blow-up whenever we gear up to go on a retreat or do something spiritually intense. At the time, we just thought it was the stress of planning. But looking back, we know it was the enemy trying to derail us from the plan of God. It can be easy to miss these attacks and blame others for them. But Ephesians 6:12 says “…we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
There is a lot is happening in our world and our lives. From governmental issues to relationship issues, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. The devil is at work and uses people and situations to take the spotlight from himself and his destructive plans. We must remember this truth when we encounter various conflicts and remember that we are not fighting with people. There are evil rulers and authorities, evil spirits and mighty powers that want everything but the will of God. And they are raging war to ensure God does not win.
But we, as children of God, must take our place and go to battle. Our weapon is prayer; we need to spend time in our closet, with other believers and intercede that the Lord will overcome the darkness in this world. Jesus tells us, “whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” (Matthew 18:18-19) He hears and answers our prayers and petitions. This is the way we fight against the devil’s schemes in our lives. It’s not your mother, daughter, sister, or friend who is your enemy. It is the devil and him alone. We must armour up and get in a kneeling position, ready to rage war against the enemy.
Spiritual warfare is real, and we need to constantly be on guard and in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The devil came to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus came so we could have abundant life (James 10:10). Trust that He is working on your behalf as you offer your petitions to the one that always wins.
