A quote (“Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts”) from Søren Kierkegaard, Danish theologian and philosopher, started me thinking about our thought life. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to renew our minds, to move our focus from this world to the things of God. That requires a battle. When we battle, however, we do so FROM a position of victory, rather than FOR victory. [1Corinthians 15:57]
In any battle you must know your enemy, and in this life, we have three—the world, the devil, and our flesh (sinful nature). We must distinguish between these enemies if we are going to be victorious.
Ephesians 6:12 defines two of our enemies. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” [NLT]
There are unseen forces in this world. The Scriptures do not hesitate to call them evil and mighty. These unseen enemies seek to influence, tempt, undermine, and subdue. They seldom mount an all-out frontal attack but prefer to use lies, doubt, ridicule, and other such sleight of hand tactics.
But whatever tactics they may employ against us; God has already provided weaponry to overcome them. And the greatest weapon is the Indwelling Spirit of Christ within. Praise God!
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” [1 John 4:4]
