Spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:12
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.

Daniel 12
1“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise[i] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Yes, we need to remember what Ephesians tells us: that we are up against evil in this world, otherwise known as Satan. Then we need to remember what the revelation in Daniel tells us: that Satan is already conquered, and we who believe in Christ, already have a place saved for us for eternity in heaven. We will shine like the stars while we are on this earth, but we must stand firm against evil, fighting the spiritual warfare! We must fight by staying close to God, reading the Bible, praying without ceasing, memorizing scripture, meeting together. If not, we will stumble. 

That is what the devil wants us to do. To stumble and cause people to fall away or turn away from God. The devil does not want us to be a witness to God, to Jesus Christ, to the Holy Spirit. So, he would love for us to forget to pray, to not have time to read the Bible or think about what it says, to not worry about memorizing scripture! 

When we do all those things to stay close to God, Satan puts road blocks in our way, because he knows if we do those things, God's truth will win over more people. Satan doesn't want that, so he will do his best to mess up our day, so we will feel sorry for ourselves and focus on how bad everything is for us instead of focusing on God. We need to repent for that, so that we can stand firm. 

Lord, help me to pray and continue to cling to you. I cannot do this myself. Only in your strength can I continue to fight this spiritual battle. In Christ's name I pray.  Amen.