spiritual warfare

fitting my triad studied the chapter on spiritual warfare last week since i am really dealing with some right now. i knew it would be coming, it always does.

in ephesians 6:10-20, we are commanded to put on the full armor of God when these things arise:

belt of truth
breastplate of righteousness
shoes of peace
shield of faith
helmet of salvation
sword of the spirit

i struggle with the feet (shoes) of peace. i need His peace.

i think often many forget that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. CS lewis in the preface in The Screwtape Letters said that we make 2 opposite yet equally destructive errors regarding the devil (and his demons). "One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

I never struggled with the first one, but was glad they gave more of an explanation of the second error. sometimes christians blame everything they do on demons..."the devil made me do it." well, no, you had a choice there buddy.

here are the 4 common strategies of the devil:
temptation
accusation
deception
direct attacks

oh and he tries to hit hard-he knows what makes you tick. he can even use good people in your life who unknowingly help with the lies and deception. all it takes is one false word or sometimes no words at all. oh, it drives me batty!

so, today, be encouraged and put on your armor. it is in ephesians for a reason :) and in case you forgot, evil never wins. take charge, no matter how you do it. while i don't like to give satan any credit for anything, he was really bothering me and some i love over a situation a few months ago. i remember driving in my car,music and fists pumping, cussing that joker out. he will not have my family, he will not have my life. i not-so-gently reminded him what is in store for his future and basically told him not to mess with me (well, we all know what i really said). he knows i was raised in waldorf-he knows better than to even try- i have the victorious one on my side :) i ain't scerrrrred! love yall!