For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12 (NIV)
Flesh and Blood Part 2
A battle rages across the earth… it manifests itself through political and social unrest, violence, murder, wars, slavery, abuse, bullying, crime, deceit, greed, hatred, segregation, racism…
Darkness has a way of entering a person's heart and oozing out their feet and fingers, tainting the mark they leave on the world.
That’s why it’s hard to separate evil from people. (I do think that sometimes a person lets evil rule so much in their hearts, that they become it themselves…) The temptation is to pick up “swords” and aim them at those manifesting darkness…
Evil is anything contrary to good. It can be as individual as bullying in the school yard, to despots ruling nations.
We aim swords at each-other because of fear. Fear of being defeated and ruined. Fear that what opposes is right and justified. We also aim swords for protection. While we need to protect ourselves and those we love from evil… (if you are in an abusive situation, get help and get out), using hatred to do so only furthers evils pursuits.
Chapter 6 goes on to say that we need to put on the armour of God, which includes (summarised) “belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the word…”
The only attacking item is the ‘Sword, the word of God.” Eph 5:26 says that we are cleansed by the “washing with water through the word…”
Our only offensive weapon is one that we use to attack the grip evil has on our own hearts and minds. The greatest way to fight evil is not to stand against each other, but to fight for love, peace, and faith within ourselves. Whenever hatred sneaks in, fight it. Whenever exclusivity tempts, fight it… whenever greed, deceit, apathy, etc. wage war on your mind, attack it with the word of God. And then love as if your life and the world depend on it.
Romans 12:21 “If you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”
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