The Struggle is Real


The life and death struggle in the natural world is not always pretty. Most of you would probably prefer that the butterfly get free rather than be the spider's next meal, but each creature has its place and purpose in God's creation. In nature if you are not the one eating the food then you may BE the food. The struggle is real!

You struggle with many things in your life too I'll bet. You may wrestle with paying the bills, dealing with an aging parent, your own health issues, relationships, work, etc. But then there's also temptations we face where we must decide whether to do the "natural" thing or the "supernatural" thing. The natural instinct is to go with those sinful urges we acquired at birth. The spiritual nature within Christians (acquired when we were born again) is generally contrary to that natural desire; so we wrestle.

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus about that struggle.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

No, this is not the dark side or evil force depicted in Star Wars. This is a real life battle for your devotion and commitment. There are angelic powers of darkness that want to see you fall and hurt your reputation and your witness for Jesus. There is great news though. Satan and His army of demons are powerless compared to the omnipotence of God. So take encouragement by the following:

"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

and

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The struggle is real, but you do not have to fall into the spider's trap.

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