What is the biggest battle of the Christian life?
Is it a search for meaning? The battle between conflicting possibilities?
Is it a battle for relevance? That we make our mark vs being complacent and not getting off the couch…motivation?
The biggest battle isn’t psychological. It isn’t about self-actualization.
The biggest battle of the Christian life is a spiritual battle.
Ephesians 2:1-10 reminds us that apart from Christ, before we put our faith in Christ, we were dead in transgressions and sin. Now, this isn’t a neutral problem. It is both a personal problem and a spiritual problem.
“You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. “
This is a personal spiritual struggle against personal spiritual forces. The ruler of the kingdom/power of the air is Satan himself. “Himself.” He is personal. Satan is not an impersonal entity just as the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal entity. You call neither Satan nor Spirit – “it” rather “He.”
We see this later in Ephesians, chapter 6, where Paul talks more directly about the battle we are currently in…you and me! We are in this!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our[b] struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these,[c] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Satan vs Spirit. The struggle is real. It is personal. It is spiritual. We must be on our guard. This is the greatest battle you will ever fight and God is fighting for us…but we must choose whose side we are on! Read Romans 7-8, the struggle between flesh and Spirit. You can’t sit the fence. You must choose a side. Choose the winning team…it will still be the greatest struggle and battle you have ever engaged in but at least you know how it turns out!
2 Responses
Truth! Thank you for your boldness to speak of the spiritual battles as a present reality.
The Christian life is one lived in faith each day. We have too long lived in a saving faith mode, once done now it’s up to me. Wrong. The Holy Spirit comforts us with and by grace each day. Trusting in traditions and set service/ worship patterns and schedules is the death of faith in a living King. You’ll kill hm again and again.