Daily Thought for Tuesday, July 12th

July 12, 2011

Spiritual Enemies

Today’s Thought:

“There is no little enemy.” – Benjamin Franklin

Today’s Quote:

“Know your enemies: avoid them if you can; intimidate them if you can’t; subdue them, if you must.” – Thomas Szasz

Today’s Question

Did you know that: “The most formidable enemy lies hid in one’s own heart?” – Publius Syrus

Today’s Bible Verses:            Ephesians 6:12 &  1 Peter 5:8

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.  Our antagonist is our helper.” – Edmund Burke

The quote above may seem to be somewhat of an oxymoron, but is it really?

If our faith is challenged by the enemy of our soul and we stand firm on the rock of our salvation and fight boldly the good fight of faith: has not the enemy of our soul enabled us to develop a stronger and bolder relationship with our Lord?  Of course if we crumble, yield, given in or succumb to his lies and temptations then I guess the converse would be true.

The reality is this; we are not going to go through our natural life, walking a spiritual walk, without facing some trials, tests and tribulations.    The purpose for them is to make us stronger and bring us to our knees (prayerfully speaking).  They are not to defeat us beat us down and cause us to run the other way.  We can be more than over comers; we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  Satan may chase us but he cannot defeat us.

Sometimes: “You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.” – Eric Hoffer    Typically Satan will attempt to use your faith, your prayers life, your Bible study and your commitments to serving God, as the very things with which he will slow you down or stop you from being effective for the Lord.  He doesn’t have to win, and he won’t if you don’t let him.

God has already provided the victory through Christ Jesus: all we have to do is embrace it, believe it and live it out.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, while I may need to love my natural enemies; you do not require me to love my spiritual enemy; so grant me wisdom, grace, strength and boldness to resist him, to bind him and to cast him out when necessary.