EPHESIANS 6:12

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.

TO PONDER

I heard a quote recently that went something like this, "victory is not about being better than your opponents, it's about being a better version of yourself than you were previously.

I think this is where we often go wrong in this world. When someone does something to hurt or upset us, we instantly want to get revenge, or even the score with that person. But Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Where does that kind of attitude come in if all we can think about is revenge.

The first key, I think, is in remembering that it is because of 'my' sin that Jesus died on the cross. As much as someone else might have done something wrong that has hurt me or my friends and family, 'my' sin sent Jesus to the cross. If Jesus can forgive that, then surely I can forgive those who hurt me also.

The second key, is to recognise that it is not even the person who has hurt or offended us that is even the real enemy in the situation. The brokenness of the world, the sins of others that are directed at us, even our own sinful and selfish desires, are tools which the devil uses to try and divert our attention from Jesus. Let's be sure to remember who the real enemy is. It is not other people, who just like us, have been made in the image of God. It is as Paul says in today's reading, it is against spiritual powers and forces that our real struggle lies and it is only a struggle if we tackle it on our own. Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin, death and the devil, and he makes his victory ours as as we keep our eyes fixed on him, the author and perfecter of our faith.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the Victorious Lord over all things, including our enemies of sin, death, and the evil one. Help me to remember that you have called me to love those who hate me and pray for those who would persecute me, because I have no need to fight, for you have already won the victory. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle