Life Is a Battle

Life Is a Battle

It is not a battle “against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12. All these powers oppose God, seeking to hinder us, that is, to bend our will to their bidding. But if we do that, we will serve these evil powers. Moreover, our desire is to serve God. We must therefore realize that behind every smiling person may be a spirit that is not smiling but which opposes the good. We must learn to conquer them, as it is written, “Much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17.

It is written about Jesus: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them on the cross.” Col. 2:15.

We must not rule over men, but we shall rule in our spirit over every spirit that is in darkness. We have fellowship with those who do God’s will, so there we are in blessed unity, but by living a crucified life we shall overcome the spirit of all those who are in the flesh and oppose God’s will. It is written about Jesus, “When He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 1 Pet. 2:23.

We are tempted to exert human influence on our fellow man in order to get them to do what we want; then we are on the way to ruling over men. Jesus suffered in temptation. He spoke with them and committed the rest to the Father.

If we are not free from family according to the flesh, it is not so rare that the ungodly want to rule over us and get us to do what they want according to their desires. Here we need to be freed according to the flesh so we are able to rule with Christ in the Spirit; otherwise we will end up living ungodly in many areas. It will drain us of faith, courage, and strength and bring us into bondage to man. Instead of being a light to others, we will end up in darkness ourselves. He who loves God keeps His Word whether it suits family and friends or not. Love does not do evil to your neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.