fighting the enemy

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Ephesians 6:1-24. Paul tells us who our real enemy is.

With so much going on in the world today, it's easy to think of ISIS or the KKK or the Neo-Nazis or some radical group like that as our enemy. To think of mass shooters in local schools or child molesters as our enemies. But Paul helpfully reminds us who our TRUE enemy is.

The people who are committing these horrible acts aren't our real enemy. They are just tragically under the control of our enemy. We actually fight against Satan and his followers, and against the powers of darkness that he has put in place to bring about his desires. The "principalities and powers", as Paul puts it.

That's why we are to love everyone - ISIS members and Neo-Nazis and killers and molesters. We are to pray for them and seek their good. Because they're just pawns in the bigger battle.

And prayer is our chief weapon. Obviously you can't fight against the devil with guns. Or with arguments. Or with our cleverness. What we can fight against him with is our prayer.

So don't forget to pray every day. That prayer is what holds the enemy at bay. What keeps him from advancing more into our lives, and taking over the world.

Keep praying.

God, thanks for reminding us who the real enemy is. Help us to defeat him with prayer.