40 Days of Seeking First the Kingdom of God
Click here to listen to David read this in YouTube
Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
_______________________________________________________
Daily Insight:
In the spiritual warfare we face daily, victory is not achieved by our might but through our position in Christ and His authoritative rule over our lives. Our struggle is against the spiritual forces of evil, yet we walk in triumph, armed with the authority and victory granted to us through Christ Jesus.
_________________________________________________________
Navigating the Spiritual Jungle
Imagine a squad of soldiers, their boots sinking into the moist soil of a dense jungle. Their eyes scan the surroundings—not in fear, but in cautious readiness. They know that the enemy isn't necessarily visible, hiding under each leaf or behind every tree, but they are fully aware that the enemy is in the jungle. This scene is a powerful representation of our spiritual life. We are in a similar battlefield, where the real enemy isn't always seen but is ever-present and dangerous. This calls for constant vigilance, readiness, and reliance on a power greater than our own.
Victory in Christ Over the World
1 John 5:4-5 (CSB): For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
In a world filled with trials and tribulations, our victory isn't just a future hope but a present reality in Christ. He has already overcome the world, and in Him, so have we. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. Our faith in Christ as the Son of God is the key to this triumphant living. Our position in Christ empowers us to face the world's challenges not with fear but with the confidence of conquerors.
John 16:33 (CSB): "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Overcoming the Flesh by Submitting to Christ
Galatians 5:24 (CSB): Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The fight against our own sinful nature, the flesh, is a daily reality. But in this battle, we are not left to our own devices. Under Christ’s rule and empowered by His grace, we are no longer slaves to sin. We have the strength to resist temptation, not by our power, but through the life-transforming grace of Jesus. As we submit to Christ and live by the Spirit, we can put to death the sinful desires of the flesh. It's a daily surrender, where victory is found not in our strength but in our reliance on the Holy Spirit living within us.
Romans 6:14 (CSB): For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Standing in Authority Over the Devil in Christ
Luke 10:19 (CSB): Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."
At the core of spiritual warfare is the principle of authority. In Christ, we have been given authority over the enemy. The enemy has no hold over us unless we give him ground. The devil's tactics are rendered powerless when we stand firm in our God-given authority. This authority is not for a select few but for all who are in Christ.
We exercise this authority as we align ourselves under Christ's rule, and the enemy loses his foothold in our lives. This authority is not just a defensive tool but also an offensive weapon that allows us to actively tread on the enemy's plans, ensuring he has no hold or power over our lives. The Spirit of God within us is greater than any force that opposes us. This authority is not for the extraordinary believers but for every child of God in Christ Jesus.
1 John 4:4 (CSB): Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
James 4:7 (CSB): Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Standing Firm in Victory
As we walk through the spiritual jungles of our lives, let's do so with the full understanding that we are in a battle, yet one in which we are already victorious through Christ. This victory is not just a distant hope but a current reality. We are not wandering aimlessly, unsure of the outcome. We are marching in the victory of Jesus, equipped, empowered, and protected by His authority. Our battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil are real but not unbeatable. In Christ, we stand firm, not just fighting battles, but celebrating the victory He has already won. Let this truth empower us to live boldly, love radically, and stand unshakably in the assurance of our triumph in Christ.