Dear church,

Unlike the Israelites of old, we are not called to join a physical battle here on earth. The final inheritance of God’s people is not in this un-resurrected life. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50).

But this does not mean we are not called to war. “This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.”

The people of God go forward as people of victory. The battle is finished, and we have won. This wasn’t by our own cunning but by Christ, our Captain. Death is swallowed up in victory, nailed to the cross by the sacrificial act of the Son of God (1 Corinthians 15:54; Colossians 2:14).

And now Christ, leading the way, has shamed the rulers and authorities – those of the demonic realm – and is presenting us as the victorious ones (Colossians 2:15).  

We must be discerning, however – as the Israelites were called to be discerning – about who our true enemy is. Our battle is not waged against people who may already have their “inheritance” given to them by God, whatever that may be. 

The battle, in fact, is not against people. Rather, it is a cosmic battle (Ephesians 6:12). Satan wants nothing more than to destroy the work of Christ in the world. And as this is impossible, Satan desires to hinder it from continuing. And this means Satan wants a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Where is the battle being waged in your own life? A person may have upset you. But that person is not the enemy. That is not where the battle is to be fought. “Do not contend with them.” 

Keep going. You will find the true enemy, lurking in the shadows. Expose the enemy, just as Christ always does. Call it by its name. “This person over here is not the enemy. Rather, the enemy is bitterness brought on by human weakness and Satan’s temptation.” See it for what it is. 

Have compassion on the human, and drown out the spiritual forces of evil with the blood of Christ. 

Chris