Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and 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.”
Most think life is about them and they go about living for themselves. However there is the spirit world with two sides warring against one another. We have a part to play in it.
The first task is to choose sides. It’s not possible to be neutral. Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters”. Jesus is trying to gather all men (and women) to Himself. Those on His side are attempting to do the same. If we aren’t then, we are scattering people away from Him.
How do we gather those to Christ? By living for Him and being His witnesses. Just as He testified of the Father’s love and faithfulness, so do we. Life in Christ is amazing. We ask for help and He gives it. He gives us joy in Him as well. Many are frustrated, sad and stuck. We can testify to Him. He allows the hope in us to be alluring to others.
Jesus says of the devil and his demons, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness”, (John 10:10). If we aren’t in Christ, then we are on the devil’s side. There are varying degrees of people on his team. Some recruit hard for him, others not. I had a friend that I had to limit my time with as he was always seeking to lead me astray.
The devil’s first task is to blind and deceive. He tricked Eve. Those not in Christ have been blinded and deceived. Most on his team aren’t aware of it. They are on his bus going away from Christ. They succumb to the deception by rejecting Christ. Romans 1:21 says, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” Their choice to reject Christ dims their reasoning.
To live for one’s self is the devil’s first aim. This is contrary to the gospel. ‘Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me”‘, (Luke 9:23).
God’s way is the way of humility. The devil’s way is pride. We can measure a person by their pride or humility. Jesus came as one from a working family who was born in the humblest of circumstances. Jesus was a tradesman. He associated with the lowly in His life. The rich and powerful had little to do with Him. Are we prideful or humble? That is a good judge of our godly character. We are to be more humble the longer we are in Christ.
The great prizes of God’s kingdom are common and easily achieved. Humility. It’s gold in God’s kingdom. Most walk right past it and give it no recognition. Hollywood doesn’t highlight it in movies, the universities don’t honor it. The powerful and prestigious don’t have it on their lists. God does.
The evil one is full of pride. It’s what got him removed from being a high powered angel. Pride takes away worth and value. It doesn’t care for others. Christians can be prideful. He weeds that out of us.
Pride vs. humility are the great themes of each side. The devil vs. God. All the members of each side have one of those in them. It’s like an antenna in each of us receives that signal. As christians we should be tuned into humility. God works that in us. Those outside of Christ have their own signals.
Lord, open our eyes to the pride that’s in us. Help us to be humble and to help the lowly. Make us aware of the spiritual battle. Help us not to be deceived, but to walk in the light.