Tag: meditation

Wrestling the Unseen 

Wrestling the Unseen 

The ancient city of Ephesus, a bustling hub of commerce and diverse spiritual practices, was no stranger to the shadows of the unseen world. As recorded in the Book of Acts, when the Apostle Paul ministered there, he encountered an unusual and striking amount of demonic activity. This historical backdrop, where spiritual forces overtly manifested, serves as a powerful reminder that our world, even today, is a battleground where unseen powers vie for influence and control. Our struggle, as Ephesians 6:12 declares, “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This passage compels us to acknowledge spiritual warfare’s reality and equip ourselves for the fight.

The Pervasive Reality of Spiritual Conflict

To effectively stand against the devil’s schemes, we must first come to terms with the undeniable reality of evil spirits, or demons, and their capacity to possess people. This reality isn’t a phenomenon confined to ancient texts or distant lands; it is a spiritual truth that transcends all faith traditions. Temples, synagogues, mosques, and churches—no sacred space is entirely immune to their influence. We shouldn’t find it strange to occupy a pew with a person grappling with an evil spirit.

Consider the stark illustration in Luke 4:33-35, where a man possessed by an impure spirit cried out in a synagogue, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” This biblical account underscores a critical truth: if demon-possessed individuals can be found in the temple, and if God in Jesus Christ is present at church, what makes us think demons can’t find our addresses? Those possessed by evil spirits are everywhere; they are in the White House, the Senate, Congress, police stations, schools, and city hall.Disturbingly, they are even in the church, some in Sunday school, and for some of us, they are in our very homes.

The sole aim of this adversary is to destroy the God-given potential within you. Evil is hellbent on ensuring that you never realize the power you possess as a child of God. The Bible consistently depicts the violent and destructive nature of demons toward those they possess. In Acts 19, an evil spirit jumped on several Jewish exorcists, overpowering them and sending them running, stripped of their clothes and dignity. Another account describes a demon throwing a possessed man down in front of the Lord Himself. These vivid narratives highlight the tangible impact of spiritual oppression.

Three crucial understandings about evil emerge from these encounters, each vital for effective spiritual engagement: 

Evil is Strong and a Bully: This isn’t a passive force we can ignore. Evil is an active, aggressive entity that will relentlessly wrestle to overpower you or your loved ones. It seeks to dominate, control, and ultimately destroy. Recognizing its strength means we approach spiritual warfare with a sober awareness of the formidable opposition, preventing us from underestimating its tactics or becoming complacent. It’s a reminder that we cannot fight this battle with just our own strength. 

The Person Possessed Is a Victim, Not an Enemy: This distinction is profoundly important. When we encounter individuals under demonic influence, our posture should be one of compassion, not condemnation. The evil Spirit is the aggressor; the person is merely its host, a captive suffering under its oppression. Discerning this allows us to direct our spiritual efforts toward the deliverance of the victim, focusing our compassion and prayers on their freedom rather than viewing them as the antagonists. 

Evil Recognizes and Submits to the Authority of Jesus Christ: This is the cornerstone of our hope and the ultimate key to victory. Despite its strength and bullying nature, evil is not sovereign. Every demonic entity, every spiritual force of darkness, is ultimately subordinate to the power and authority of Jesus Christ. This truth empowers believers when we operate in the authority granted to us through Christ. Even the most formidable evil is compelled to submit. It means our victory is assured, not through our might, but through the indisputable power of our Lord.

Failing in the Fight

Despite the clear reality of spiritual warfare and the power available through Christ, many struggle to engage in the fight effectively. One significant reason lies in a misapplication of spiritual authority, as exemplified by the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13. These Jews, who “went around driving out evil spirits, tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed.” They would declare, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

However, their efforts backfired catastrophically. As commentators note, Sceva was likely not a legitimate Jewish high priest but perhaps a self-styled leader of a pagan cult who found it profitable to pose as a Jew. His “sons” attempted to wield the name of Jesus like an unfamiliar weapon, and it exploded in their hands. They were taught a brutal lesson about the danger of using the name of Jesus superficially or opportunistically, dabbling in the supernatural. Their lack of genuine connection and authority rendered their invocation powerless. This ancient account illuminates a contemporary problem. We are failing in the fight because we are faking in the fight. Many have Jesus on their lips, but their hearts are far removed from Him. We may maintain a form of godliness, adhering to outward religious practices, but we deny its inherent power. Such a state leaves us utterly unfit for the spiritual battle. Knowing about Jesus is not enough; we must know Him intimately, have a genuine relationship, and walk in His authority.

Fighting to Win

Now to the foundational call of Ephesians 6:10-17: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.“

To effectively stand, Paul instructs us on the specific parts of this divine armor: 

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist: Just as a belt holds a soldier’s tunic and other gear in place, truth provides stability and integrity to our spiritual lives. The unwavering foundation of God’s Word grounds us in reality, protecting against the deception and lies of the enemy. 

With the breastplate of righteousness in place: A breastplate protects the vital organs. Righteousness, imputed (Christ’s righteousness credited to us) and practical (living according to God’s moral standards), guards our hearts and consciences against accusation and guilt, ensuring our spiritual vitality. 

And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: Soldiers needed sturdy footwear for long marches and battle. Our readiness to spread the good news of peace with God and to live in that peace provides us with stability and purpose, enabling us to advance spiritually and withstand the enemy’s assaults. 

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one: A shield protects the entire body from incoming attacks. Faith is our active trust and confidence in God, serving as a protective barrier that deflects and nullifies the fiery temptations, doubts, and accusations that the enemy hurls our way. 

Take the helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vulnerable part of the body—the head. Salvation, our assurance of God’s deliverance and eternal life through Christ, guards our minds from despair, fear, and confusion, keeping our thoughts fixed on God’s victorious plan. 

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: This is the only offensive weapon in the armor. The Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is sharp and powerful. It allows us to actively engage the enemy, counter false doctrines, and dismantle strongholds, not just defending but advancing God’s kingdom.

The solution to our failing in the spiritual fight lies not in rituals or borrowed power but in authentic faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ. We must be intentional and have an empowered readiness for the unseen war. To stand in the strength of God’s power requires more than words; it demands a life fully yielded to Him, clothed in His divine armor, and ready to engage the spiritual forces that seek to overpower us. By consciously putting on and utilizing each piece of this spiritual armor, we are not merely defending ourselves but actively demonstrating the mighty power of the Lord in our lives.

Just a Little While

Just a Little While

The human heart yearns for arrival. From the impatient child in the backseat, “Are we there yet?” to the adult wrestling with life’s profound challenges, the question echoes: “Lord, how long until my breakthrough? When will this season of waiting finally end?” This persistent inquiry is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to our innate desire for resolution, for the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. Yet, what if our “arrival” is not solely a matter of God’s timing, but also intimately connected to our posture in the pause? To uncover the profound purpose embedded within our periods of anticipation and trial, let’s turn to a passage of immense comfort and challenge: 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV). Peter, writing to believers undergoing severe persecution, offers not a quick escape, but a divine framework for flourishing within the furnace of affliction. He writes: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” This “suffering” Peter speaks of is not merely fleeting discomfort, but a comprehensive term for the trials, hardships, and pains that often accompany a life of faith. It’s the prolonged illness, the chronic financial strain, the fractured relationship, the seemingly unanswered prayer. Our deepest struggle isn’t always the presence of difficulty itself, but the agonizing duration of the wait for its resolution. Yet, within these verses, God Himself offers a transformative lens through which to view our “lingering hardships,” revealing their meaning, purpose, and most importantly, their divinely appointed end.

Peter doesn’t leave us languishing in our impatience; he provides a clear, actionable pathway to navigate the waiting room of life with grace and strength. The first, and perhaps most crucial, step is to humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand.” Humility, in this context, is not self-deprecation, but a profound acknowledgment of God’s absolute sovereignty and our complete dependence on Him. It means releasing our grip on control, relinquishing our prideful attempts to orchestrate our own breakthroughs. We often believe that if we just strategize harder, work longer, or worry more intensely, we can accelerate our arrival. But Peter reminds us that true elevation—”that he may lift you up”—comes in “due time,” God’s perfect time, not our own. This humbling posture leads directly to the second command: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Our anxieties are often the direct result of our perceived lack of control. When we humbly acknowledge God’s “mighty hand” over every circumstance, we empower ourselves to genuinely lay down our burdens. The Greek word for “cast” here (epiriptó) implies a decisive, once-and-for-all throwing off. It’s not a polite handing over, but a forceful release. Why can we do this? Because He cares. This isn’t a passive interest; it’s an active, compassionate, fatherly concern that embraces every detail of our lives. When we fully grasp His care, the weight of waiting, though still present, becomes immeasurably lighter. We are suffering the wait, yes, but never without the intimate presence and unwavering support of the Almighty.

As we humble ourselves and cast our anxieties, Peter issues a vital warning: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Our periods of waiting and suffering are not merely passive experiences; they are battlegrounds. The adversary, ever vigilant, seeks to exploit our vulnerability, to plant seeds of doubt, despair, and discouragement. He wants us to believe God has forgotten us, that our faith is futile, that our suffering is pointless. Being “alert and of sober mind” means exercising spiritual discernment. It means guarding our thoughts, saturating ourselves with truth, and recognizing the enemy’s insidious tactics. How often do we see individuals, just on the cusp of a breakthrough, succumb to temptation or discouragement, thereby missing their divine appointment? Satan’s objective is to ensure we never arrive at God’s intended destiny. He seeks to derail us, to convince us that our purpose is unattainable. But Peter assures us that “resistance” is possible, by “standing firm in the faith,” and by remembering that our “family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” We are not alone in this fight; there is strength and solidarity in our shared journey.

This is where the true glory of the passage shines through, offering not just a promise, but a divine guarantee: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” The phrase “a little while” is crucial. In the context of eternity, even a lifetime of suffering is but a fleeting moment. God, who is “the God of all grace,” will not allow our suffering to be in vain. He is actively working within our waiting. This promise is rich with transformative verbs: He will restore what is broken, heal what is wounded, and bring back what was lost. He will make you strong as our weakness in suffering becomes the crucible for divine strength, forging resilience we could not have otherwise gained. He will make us firm, establishing us with a solid footing, ensuring our faith is unshakeable; the KJV’s “establish you” perfectly captures this sense of foundational stability. Finally, He will make us steadfast, resolute and unwavering, enabling us to stand firm against future trials. There is, indeed, a profound purpose in waiting. It is in the “agony of the wait” that our character is refined, our faith deepened, and our dependence on God solidified. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, knows that if success comes too easily, without the crucible of patience and perseverance, we might not appreciate its value, nor possess the inner fortitude to sustain it. He desires for us not fleeting victories, but a “firm footing on life’s triumphs”—an enduring success built on a foundation of tested faith. So, the next time you find yourself asking, “Are we there yet, Lord?” take heart. You are not stuck; you are in a divine process. Humble yourself under His mighty hand, casting every anxiety upon Him because He deeply cares. Be vigilant against the enemy’s schemes, standing firm in the knowledge that you are part of a global family of faith. Trust that the “little while” of your suffering is a purposeful prelude to God’s glorious work of restoration, strengthening, firming, and establishing you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Solid Witness

Solid Witness

As we progress in postmodernity more Americans, than ever, are asking why Christianity is still so prevalent in our time. Believers in Jesus Christ are being mocked by a growing cynicism that asserts far too many Americans are still unintelligently infatuated with Jesus in the new millennium. There are a multitude of explanations for why our critics think we are silly for still believing in what they consider fairy tales about the deity of Jesus. The biggest reason critics of Christianity cannot comprehend our commitment to our faith is because they grossly underestimate the power of solid witness.

It is because of solid witness Christianity is prevalent today. Without the witness of Jesus’ resurrection Christianity may have died on the cross a forgotten fable. But, after his execution Jesus visited his followers. Like usual, he was met with disbelief. According to the witness in the Gospel of Luke Jesus put on a demonstration of his “realness” by urging people to touch him to ensure them that they were not seeing a ghost. The same Gospel records Jesus eating a piece of broiled fish; post execution. This is not to say that there were not times in which the witness made claims about Jesus appearing in a mysteriously inexplicable way after he died. Rather, it is to say that Jesus did appear resurrected as a solid being. After his death Jesus briefly appeared as one that could be seen plainly, and touched physically. He ate food, and he had apparent wounds. Christianity is alive today because of the testimony of former-unbelieving people who witnessed a solid Jesus Christ, pre and post his crucifixion.

Our critics should be aware that Christianity was birthed out of a milieu of skepticism, unbelief and scrutiny. Different from today, the consequences of making false claims about God in the First Century were deadly. Those who held claim to the extraordinary occurrences of Jesus had far more to lose than an exhaustive argument about who God is, or if God is. More difficult than accepting the professions of Jesus, is believing that multiple witnesses would be willing to die for telling imaginative stories. The testimony of those who witnessed Jesus Christ in the flesh is (1) solid in that they had far more to lose than to gain by fabricating events. Their witness is (2) solid in that they had no earthly incentive to tell such outrageous, socially unacceptable stories. Their witness is (3) solid in that they had to overcome their own doubt when encountering Jesus resurrected. In other words, it took some convincing on Jesus’ part to show that he was not a ghost, but solid. They witnessed a resurrected, solid Jesus.

Those of us who accept the testimony of Jesus’ disciples as solid witness know something that non-Christian intellectuals don’t. That is, critical thinking is not void of emotional intelligence. Just as sound decision-making requires that you use your head, it equally demands you use your gut (instinct). There are some things we simply cannot comprehend without first taking the risk of exercising faith. Sometimes we must put forth what we feel, apart from what we think. A skydiver never really knows whether her parachute is going to open until she takes a leap of faith. Thus, before jumping she is left to trust the testimonies of all those who leaped before her. Only after we decide to believe God in Jesus Christ will we be able to add to our faith knowledge. Christians know that when our intellect runs out our faith can carry us the rest of the way. This is not enough to convince a determined skeptic that Jesus was God incarnate. Nor is that the aim. The purpose is to illustrate that no intellectual pursuit will prove Jesus’ deity above the convicting testimony of a solid witness. We either believe the witness, or we don’t.

Jesus said to Thomas, after he demanded proof that Jesus had been resurrected, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).” Believers are blessed because we know that only after taking a leap of faith we can give solid witness of Jesus Christ. Christianity will remain to be prevalent as long as we continue to give solid witness. We need to be careful not to leave this generation, or the next to wrestle with the nature of God with nothing more than intellect. We must pass on to them what was given to us, the testimonies of solid witness.

Read: Luke 24:36-43 & John 20: 24-27

 

Tidying Up

Tidying Up

What do we know, teach and do about morality? In this expanding ideological society “morality” is becoming an increasingly ambiguous term. Though the term “moral” has never been one in which we could speak about definitively, there are some attributes of morality that we all ascribe to in common. At the basic level most people would agree that human beings ought to be kind and helpful to one another. The problem is we view this basic attribute as the pinnacle of moral standard. Contrary, kindness and helpfulness is the least we do to demonstrate our sense of morality. Kindness and helpfulness is where we begin in celebrating the evolution of our humanness, not where we end.

We fail miserably at the ground level of morality; which probably explains why most of us never reach beyond being kind and helpful to others. If we were to graduate from the ground level of morality we would find that there is more to it than the way we behave towards others. There is also the morality that exists within us for us. It is the way we temper our self-destructive behavior. Our internal morality should serve to warn us of the sins we commit against ourselves. To behave with moral integrity is to be kind to others while being kind to ourselves. How moral are we if we offer the best of ourselves to others, but inflict our mind, body and spirit with toxic pollutants (e.g. selfishness, drugs, cigarettes, profanity, laziness, porn, drunkenness, poor diet)?

Demonstrating moral integrity consist of being kind and helpful to both, others and ourselves. Perhaps, only after we master these two levels of morality can we truly advance to the third and final dimension. That is, living in peace with our Creator. The ultimate morality is to express continuous gratitude for being made. We express thankfulness by celebrating creation in its various forms, and honoring the Creator. Anything less than acknowledging and paying homage to that which is responsible for your existence is immoral.

These are the three levels of morality we must know, teach and do; be kind and helpful to others as well as to ourself, while paying homage to our Creator. It is evident in how we behave towards one another that what has been simply stated about morality here is proving to be increasingly difficult as we become more diverse in our thinking. Progress we must, but how far can we expect to advance if we fail to tidy up on morality?

Read Mark 7:21-23