A Formidable but Defeated Foe!
” And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15.
In war landmines are strategically placed for two purposes, to maim or kill the enemy. Disarming a landmine is a task that is certainly left for the experts. It is not to be attacked alone nor without the proper tools and training to safely discharge the deadly device.
The enemy of our souls is constantly trying to set landmines of fear, anxiety, depression, incompetence, and many other defeatist attitudes in our minds to destroy our faith in God. When we find ourselves in the midst of immense danger, whether it is psychological or physiological, we must know that our divine source, our Sovereign Lord has already interceded and eradicated the plots of the enemy. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” 2 Colossians 2:15.
It does well to remember as the Apostle Paul admonishes us in the words of Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We’re in a spiritual warfare…and this is not a fight that we can enter into alone … what a blessing to know that we are equipped for the fight; God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; “ John 14:16.
Yes- my friends, we fight against a formidable foe who works in the spiritual realm, but he is a defeated foe! Our constant companion and helper, the Holy Spirit is able to defuse not some, but all the landmines set by Satan and all his demonic forces. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.
There are times that life challenges can certainly take a toll on our mental, physical, and spiritual state of being- and Satan will conveniently utilize every unfavorable circumstance to shake our confidence in God’s sovereignty- take a moment and consider his conversation to deceive Eve “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1. Never forget that he is the father of every lie!
It is imperative that we cling to God’s unchanging hands and stay in His Word- which is our two-edged sword that can readily be used against the evil forces of darkness! Ephesians 6:17 states: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Praise God that we are more than conquerors in this fight…because the power of the Holy Ghost is in and with us always.
If by chance the enemy is trying to make you feel isolated and thinking that you’re in this fight all by yourself … think again, because we all suffer like afflictions in the flesh, but they are only temporary– God is only preparing us for something greater! “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Corinthians 4:17.
And finally…our spiritual armor is held together with prayer. . . Ephesians 6:18 states that above all things we must be found “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Stay on your knees in prayer-that’s where the battle is won- the Christian solider must always recognize the enemy- resist his attacks and above all run to the foot of the cross and report it to the Lord- He hears, He knows and He will deliver! “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” 2 Peter 2:9. We are safe in His everlasting arms- and we win -becuase God wins!
May God give us grace and peace to run this race day by day!