This is your Life

For we do not wrestle 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. Ephesians 6:12 

In a battle, it is imperative to identify your enemy. If you are not aware of the point of your attack, you are vulnerable. Paul had many enemies. Some resented him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry (Acts 9:23; Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14). In spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. When people attacked him, he knew they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Ever read this passage?

"Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17-18 NASB

We have an enemy.  It's not the person or people that come at you in anger, malice or retribution.  They are still of this world and as such are under Satan's influence. 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 NASB

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" 2 Timothy 3:1-7 NASB

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24 NASB

Really read these passages. What is it telling you?  Still other Scripture tells us to be on our guard for our adversary roams about seeking someone to devour. 

You see any time for Spiritual laziness? 

You see any time for allowing the Devil to have a foothold in your life?

Take it to the streets. What about your behavior before others?  What about how you react to others?  Do you remember that those who are being the way they are do so because they are pawns of the enemy of God?

Consider also many of those whom Paul wrote to Timothy as being like...were IN the Church.  Not just outside of it.  

We are easily deceived. Believers and unbelievers alike.  You have to remember Satan has been doing this since his downfall.  He managed to take a whole third of the host of Heaven with him in his power grab for God's Throne. A THIRD. 

He has had infinite practice at how to manipulate people.  Yet only in the life of a Believer can we be protected from the harsher things like demon possession. 

Demons are everywhere.  If you take into account one third of the host of Heaven, easily people are outnumbered.  We really are. 

There are things God allows that are for our growth as well as either growing others or bringing them to the place where they choose Jesus. 

Our choices either help us or get us into deeper trouble.  Even Believers can choose to ignore God's call or heed it. We can choose to spend time with Jesus or waste it for several hours watching a movie, video games, sporting events. What is at the core of being a Disciple of Christ? Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ.  We make those choices. Us.

In our world of sinful people, we can choose to react in a Christ like way or react the same as the world.  

I have heard Christians commenting that some accused person deserves to die. 

Well...we all have a sentence of death on us from sin. Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for Salvation have it commuted.  Everyone will face death.  The more important thing in everything is to pray for them.  As long as they are breathing there's hope to save their soul. 

Ever notice that while on the cross, Jesus didn't rip the truly unbelieving criminal? He addressed the one who's heart was tender.  

We get mad, get angered, and quite often don't allow God to work in a person because we demand justice.  We would rather they spend eternity in torment in Hell.  Really that's what it comes down to. 

Pray that your eyes are opened.  It wasn't an extraordinary request of Elisha.  I will warn you though, you may be shocked and ashamed at what God shows you about you. 

Even if you think you are going well in life. Feeling peaceful and all that.  Remember that Scripture says that the Lord sees your heart.  What He sees about you isn't what you see about you. 

There have been many painful times in my life where He has opened my eyes to see more of me.  Those in my life didn't understand changes that I have made.  Jesus didn't give a pass on any Disciples. They were to obey it they were going to follow Christ. 

Think about your life.  Think about it with opened eyes.  Pray that Jesus would open yours to show you your world around you for what He knows is there.