I am currently reading this really good book – Though I stumble by Kim Cash Tate. The book explores the lives of Christian men and women at different seasons of their lives. Reading through the pages of the book brings to life the struggles that young and old Christians go through in our walk with God. Reading the book made me internalize some more about where I am coming from and the journey ahead; and I can say for sure that walking with Jesus takes a great commitment to prayer, worship, and feeding on His word. Without these things, I doubt if I’d still be sane.
“So why am I telling you about a book I am reading or about how I have been able to keep my sanity?” You may ask.
I had an aha moment during the week as a character in the book encouraged the other person to keep up in the place of prayer because – we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. It seemed like a different kind of light shined into my mind to illuminate it at that moment. Contrary to the picture I have always had in mind about the enemy doing visibly wicked things, the devil’s strategies can also look subtly harmless or very good to the eyes. For example, it could be a simple pornographic video that appeals to the eyes of an adolescent or even an adult. A little watch here and there eventually leads to a corrosive mind and life.
These strategies are numerous and countless but have a similar feature in common – they all come with the tendency to plant doubt, frustration, and failure in one’s mind and life.
Apostle Paul in his wisdom admonishes us in Ephesians 6:11 to “Put on all of God’s armor so that we will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil“. This verse is a pointer to the fact that the devil has an arsenal of strategies to try to derail the faith of men and women in Christ Jesus. These strategies may take different forms and names as the seasons change but they all have one goal- to push men and women out of Eden.
Then Apostle Paul goes on to elaborate in verse 12 that 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.
The things that keep coming in different forms to try to steal our joy in the Lord, our strength in Him, Hope, faith in Him are not merely human beings. They are powerful but we have the absolute power in Christ Jesus. God has given authority in Christ Jesus and that is why Apostle Paul advises us to put on all the armor of God which include
- Lions girded with Truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- the shield of faith
- the sword of the spirit
- Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints – Ephesians 6 verse 18
I think it is necessary for us to recognize it so we can always stay alert to these crafty strategies of the enemy and hence pray fervently . Therefore, this week I encourage you to harm yourself with the truth from the word of God to counter every lie the devil may try to whisper to you. Pray in the spirit as much as you can and pray always for yourself and other saints in the body of Christ.
I pray we are strengthened to utilize God’s armor at our disposal in Jesus name.