“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.” (Eph. 6:12- NLT)

I know....that one is a ‘sticking point’ for a lot of well-educated, clear and logical thinking people today; but it came out of the same book all those other verses we love to quote did. And the sooner we begin to see the reality of their existence in this world today, then the sooner we might be more inclined to get serious about this ‘abiding in Jesus’ thing. And I will explain here today why that is so, and not just a bunch of church-speak hyperbole or ‘figurative language’.

John, writing to genuine followers of Jesus...affirms to them: “We know...that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the influence/power...of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19). Paul gives us helpful insight as to just how this spiritual enemy does that...working through the lusts and desires of our sinful flesh nature and mind (Eph. 2:1-3).

This would explain why the Spirit begins right away to ‘lead us to put to death’ these evident deeds and traits, underscoring the fact that if we continue to live according to those ways...we will ‘die’ (Rom. 8:13-14). In fact, Paul would spell out what many of those ‘evident deeds’ manifest as, there in Gal. 5:19-21, warning that anyone who continues to live like that and ‘practice those things...will NOT...inherit the kingdom of God’ (21).

If there was any question as to who are the true ‘children of God’, he tells us there in vs. 24- “those who belong to Christ have put to death (crucified) the flesh with its passions and desires”. And IF...they are truly ‘walking in the Spirit’...they ‘no longer fulfill the lustful desires of that flesh (nature) – Gal. 5:16...which then feeds right back into where John was writing when he said: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin...and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18).

I would like to challenge you to go back up top and read to this point one more time, and think of those 7-8 passages I provided above as ‘puzzle pieces’ that all ‘fit together’, rather nicely in fact; and you should see a very clear ‘picture’ come into view if the Holy Spirit is bearing witness to any of this.

Our ‘enemy’...is NOT...the ‘mainstream media, the ‘radical left (or right) fringe groups, ANTIFA, or ICE...for that matter. That’s not to say that ‘spiritual forces’ can’t or don’t ‘manifest through’ any such group you so deem as your personal ‘enemy’...but we can be easily be duped and convinced into believing just that. No wonder God likens us to ‘sheep’, which is not all that complimentary given the intelligence level of sheep from what all I know about them, which is not much. And for the record...Satan can actually work through and manifest himself through those who are very close to you, as Peter was to find out in Matt. 16:21-23.

So when you consider my messages from the past two days where we looked at this promise of being ‘endued with power from on high’...after receiving the Holy Spirit...it might bring more clarity when you come to the realization that God does not fill us with His Spirit so we can go out ‘wearing capes like a group of spiritual super heroes’ as we war against spiritual forces of darkness. He fills us with His supernatural power [dynamin] so we can stand against...these forces of darkness and overcome all sin (and temptation) as we ‘give no place to the devil’... So that...So that...So that...God can then work through us in setting not only us free, but those others whose paths we cross as we go about the Father’s business.

If...we are not surrendered to Him...then we are of little use to Him (Luke 6:46; John 10:27). And if we are continuing to sin, as most admit to doing on a regular, ongoing basis...then if what Jesus had to say is true...we remain as ‘slaves of sin’...and not...true children of God (John 8:34-35, Rom. 8:14; 1 John 3:9-10).

Jesus was ‘anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power’...so He could ‘heal all who were oppressed by the devil’ (Acts 10:38). But were you aware what had to happen first...before He began to use this power to set others free? Pay close attention here to this little hidden gem of truth – Jesus was first ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’...and then was immediately led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil’ (Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1-2). Do you know what the purpose of the ‘wilderness’ is? Go look at Deut. 8:2 real quick, and then also jot down 1 Thess. 2:4. Oh...and Jesus passed that test with flying colors.

When Jesus entered into this time of testing, we have no reason to believe, or evidence provided...that He had ever performed any supernatural acts or miracles or displays of God’s power. But ....but ... but... after...He ‘passed the test’ by standing firm against the temptations of the devil and ‘resisting him’...we read where “Jesus returned in the 'power' of the Spirit...and news of Him spread throughout the region’ (Luke 4:14).

So why does any of this even matter to us today? Well, take a look at what John the Baptist had to say, early on when the multitudes, including many ‘religious experts’, gathered around to hear him:

“You brood of vipers...who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Even now...the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit (fruits of repentance) is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7,9; Matt. 3:7-10). You might want to underline/highlight both phrases - ‘coming wrath’ and ‘even now’.

Which now leads us to Rom. 1:18, where Paul makes it known that “the wrath of God IS revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...”. Notice the ‘tense’ that is being used here. He was not speaking of some ‘far off in the future tribulation’ event...down the road; he said it IS being revealed...(as in ‘now’)...and ‘against ALL ungodliness’. Maybe it’s time to take another look, once again...as to just what this ‘wrath’ is all about...since it is here already. Join me tomorrow?