By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Soma
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] 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.
Matthew 16:23 NIV Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
The life of a Christian is not always smooth as we would hope for but one that is full of struggle, however we fight not unto victory but from a point of victory.
A story is told of a man who was watching the replay of a football game where his team had pulled a greatest comeback to win after losing 3 -0 in the first half.
His wife watching him, asked why do you seat and watch the game, yet your team is losing. He replied, “I know, the end result and we win!”
The believers victory is assured, and certain; Jesus Christ has won the victory for us, and it is for us to take our stand and fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and rulers and authorities of this dark age.
When Peter, chose to advice Jesus not to go the way of the cross, Jesus rebuked him, saying ‘Satan get behind me.’ Jesus did not at that point consider that Peter was Satan, but he recognized the influence of Satan in the speech of Peter.
As such, when those around us behave in a way that is unbecoming, we need to recognize that it is the effect of the spiritual forces of darkness at work in their lives. Let us not hate human beings that God has called us to love, but fight from a spiritual perspective and understanding, knowing that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. And as we wrestle, let us be assured that we already have the victory!
As you pray, let us ask God to open our eyes to know that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood.
