WHAT WE BELIEVE: We Do Not Struggle Against Flesh and Blood

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle 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." Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)

Your enemy is not the person who disagrees with you, nor the one who has repeatedly blocked your path. It’s not the institution that has wronged you, nor the man-made system that has failed you. All these may have sinned against you and committed unfathomable harm, but never forget the true name of the power that wants you dead.

You can call him the serpent, who twisted God’s good words in the garden and deceived humanity with murderous intent (Genesis 3).

You can call him the dragon, who leads the whole world astray and wages war against those who hold fast to Jesus (Revelation 12).

You can call him the accuser (or the satan), for he never stops hurling charges against God’s saints even after he himself has been hurled from heaven (Job 1:9; Zechariah 3:1; Revelation 12:10).

You can call him the adversary (or the devil), whose native language is lies and slander (John 8:44).

This one is your real enemy. So put on the full armor of God and take your stand against him. Stand your ground, and after you have done all, you can—keep standing! For he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:12).