Know Your Real Enemy

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for keeping us safe during these very challenging times, they are very difficult for many people all over the world. Please continue to bless us to get through them, and to do so with an elevated faith instead of a faith that is depleted. The atmosphere has changed, and people are feeling the tension in all the environments that support their daily lives. The toxic attitudes that were once hidden beneath the surface are now front and center, and all this is designed to take us out of the atmosphere of praise, honor, and glory for You. It’s the enemy’s ploy to get us to focus on the negativity of the world, instead of on Your everlasting goodness and mercy. Your Word solidifies Your standard for our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Philippians 4:8(NLT) tells us, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Earlier this week on my job, I was met with the kind of negativity that was designed to steal my focus. My supervisor spoke to me in a way that was very rude and disrespectful. I can remember a time when I would have met her in that same place of negativity. I would have hurled just as quickly and sharply perhaps an even more negative response than hers. In other words, I would have gone toe to toe with her. Because of Your Word and grace, I know better.

In Ephesians 6:12(NLT), You tell us, “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.” It is very easy for us to view people as our enemies, because this is an enemy we can physically see, but You have told us not to be fooled this way. Our real enemy is unseen, and he is the ruler of evil and darkness that come from the unseen world. Through Jesus Christ, You have given us a way to always win in life. Our Lord and Savior has already defeated satan, and to walk in the victory that Christ has won for us, we can’t waste time trying to box a shadow. The person isn’t the enemy. It’s the devil that works through the person, and we must always keep this truth in the forefront of our minds.

We cannot win spiritual battles with flesh-and-blood weaponry. In Ephesians 6:13(NLT), You tell us, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” My greatest weapon is the knowledge of Your love and Word as it was walked-out through the example of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in dealing with this situation at work, I knew I had to quickly subdue my emotions and cancel out the urge to meet this situation from a place of negativity. I responded in a professional and calm way, and later, my supervisor apologized.

Thank You, Father, for giving us a heart that is always humble enough to be obedient to Your Word. It is because of the knowledge contained in the scriptures that we can put on the mind of Christ and have control over our emotions and attitudes. Thank You for helping us to continue to walk in Your wisdom as we are guided by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for our precious and powerful Lord and Savior. Thank You for the extraordinary gift of Holy Spirit and thank You for all Your many blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Know Your Real Enemy”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020.  All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.

 

 

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