The New Testament Challenge Companion-Day 31!

Wednesday, Feb. 24 Reading for the Day: Luke 10 and Ephesians 4-6 Focus on Ephesians 6

In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul tells us we are involved in a battle, a war!  He tells us it isn’t a battle against any human enemy.  Our battle is spiritual.  Our enemies are four demonic forces who are given proper names in the original Greek text in which the New Testament was written.  Those four demons are named “I Was Here First!”  “The Right to Speak!”  “Use People to Get Things!” and “Malice!”  Now, you will never see them named that in any English translation of the Bible, but that’s what their Greek names mean.  When we are seeking to follow Jesus into a new area in our lives, “I Was Here First!” will tell us we can’t.  He will tell us he was here first.  So, what?  First, of all, that’s a lie.  God was here first!  Anywhere we go, any situation we enter with God in charge of our lives, “I Was Here First!” has to back off and give us the right of way.  When we find ourselves in a situation where someone is saying or doing something contrary to the will of God, and we know we should stand up and speak up for Him, and we hear that voice saying, “What gives you the right to get involved?”  That’s “The Right to Speak!”  He wants us to believe that we DON’T have the right to speak or act in Jesus’ name, but again we always DO!  When we find ourselves thinking, “I know ought to help that person in need, but it might cost me something.”  Or when we find ourselves thinking, “I could get my friend to help me with this project that will make me lots of money,” we’re probably dealing with “Use People to Get Things!”  That’s the spirit of worldliness.  Always remember that the right priority is to use things to gain people for the Kingdom of God!  That’s why Jesus told us not to store up treasure here on earth, but in heaven.  Finally, when we just feel plain mean and nasty, when we want to hurt someone “Malice!” is at work.  Malice simply wants to destroy people: physically, spiritually, in every way.  Paul tells us we must be ready for these enemies---spiritual enemies.  The way we do that is by putting on the full armor of God.  The bad news is we’re in a war.  The good news is Jesus has already won!  All we have to do is gear up and follow Him!

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us our enemy and making us aware that we are engaged in a spiritual battle for our eternal lives.  Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to empower us to defeat each of these evil forces that seeks to do us harm.  Glorify Yourself in my life today, and give me the boldness to battle fully for You. This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.