On the Cutting Edge of the Kingdom
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 6:10-20
Our struggle is … against the rulers … the powers of this dark world and … the spiritual forces of evil …
Ephesians 6:12
There is a new kind of hidden warfare today—cyber war. This war is fought from behind a computer screen, as websites important to national security are hacked in attempts to bring down key parts of a country’s infrastructure.
Another kind of warfare that we don’t always see is as old as human history. It’s the battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. We enter this battle whenever we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Often the violent clash between these kingdoms is most evident in places of the world where the gospel is making its way for the first time. I hear reports from our African and Indian staff about demonic exorcisms and miraculous healings. I don’t discount those reports. This is what I would expect to hear from the front lines of battle against Satan and his demonic armies.
Such reports make me more aware of spiritual warfare that is also happening closer to home. As the devil is driven back, he likes to “go underground” and engage in guerrilla warfare. In fact, Paul says the devil’s approach is to mask himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). But his identity and purpose are still that of “a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Lord, open our eyes to see the ways the devil is attacking my own life and community. Help me to resist by your power, knowing that the devil flees from the strong name of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
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