Recognizing the Enemy

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. Ephesians 6:10

The first step in any battle is recognizing who your enemy is. Who are you fighting and why? It’s so easy in our every day lives to think that our spouse, kids, co-workers or friends are the problem. We often think that they are the reason we lose our tempers, get frustrated and discouraged. If only they would cooperate with our plans, thoughts and ideas, life would be so much easier. But the truth is, the culprit for the contention is the enemy of our souls, the devil and he is scheming behind the scenes with the intention of keeping us from all that God has planned for us.

Recently I witnessed a young family that had planned to go to the Look Up Tour event with Will Graham, experience this very thing.

Early on the morning of the event the parents were arguing. It intensified and the wife decided that she and their daughters would not be attending the event. When they informed me I instantly wanted to help in some way and the Lord clearly told me that the way I could help was to pray. Not a quick little prayer for peace, but a whole hearted warrior prayer as someone who was fighting a powerful spiritual battle. This was a ploy of the enemy to keep them from hearing what they desperately needed to hear at the event. It was the enemy attacking their marriage and creating discord. So I prayed and prayed and prayed.

Thankfully when the time came they all decided to go. The tension between the couple could be felt, but God wasn’t finished working with them. As they sat in silence towards each other their daughters anxiously listened to the salvation presentation and participated in the Kidzfest events.

When the time came for the altar call their oldest daughter proclaimed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and boldly went forward to make her decision known. But God wasn’t finished yet. The speaker told the parents in the audience that they needed to lead by example. God needed to be the center in their marriages and that their children hear and see what goes on. Parents need to love and respect each other. Those were the very words that I’ve been praying for this couple for many years. Thank you Lord! And they heard the words.

As the girls participated in the outdoor events I was taking pictures of them and happened to see their parents on the side lines talking with each other and then hugging each other. Yes Lord!!

Later at dinner the father told me how the event reminded him of when he gave his life to the Lord at youth camp several years ago. The whole experience had rekindled his desire to serve God. Seeds were planted in the wife and youngest daughter. Salvation came to the oldest.

I see why the enemy was trying so hard to keep them from going. God has plans for this whole family. Good plans. And He made a way for them to hear from Him as He defeated the schemes of the enemy.

Our struggle is not against each other. It is against the one who will try anything to keep us from all that God has for us. When we take a moment to recognize who is really behind the chaos, we are then able to fight with the power of God to resist, overcome and silence his wicked schemes.

Pray for your families. Pray for your friends and co-workers. Recognize that they are not the enemy. God has a purpose for each one of them and your prayers will help fight against and defeat the resistance.