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Spiritual Warfare

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7-8

This world is God’s creation, and it contains the wonderful fruits of His handiwork. But, the world also contains countless opportunities to stray from God’s will. Temptation is everywhere, and the devil, it seems, never takes a day off. Our challenge, as followers of Jesus Christ, is to turn away from temptation and to place our lives squarely in the center of God’s will.

Peter offered this stern warning in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. What was true in New Testament times is equally true today. Evil is indeed present in the world, and Satan continues to sow the seeds of destruction far and wide. In a very real sense, our world is at war: good versus evil, sin versus righteousness, hope versus suffering, praise verses empathy. As Believers, we must ensure that we place ourselves squarely on the right side of these conflicts: God’s side. How can we do it? Only through the work of the Holy Spirit within us can we overcome the work of the devil. Our part then, is to study God’s Word, worship with fellow believers, and guard our hearts and minds against the subtle temptations of the enemy. 

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I live in a world where temptation is constantly around me and I know that evil can devour me. Help me to recognize right from wrong, truth from lies and light from darkness. I need Your presence in my life to enable me to choose truth and to live a life that is pleasing to You. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.