“I was talking with one of my neighbors the other day,” Stan said one morning. “We got on the subject of his pre-Christian days and how he sees where he was then as exactly where a lot of people find themselves today.”
“Anything specific?” I asked.
“Satan,” Stan replied.
“Satan? What about him?”
“Whether or not he exists,” Stan said.
“That he exists?” I replied. “Isn’t that a given?”
“Not for everyone,” he replied, “and, as my neighbor and I talked about, Satan really likes it when he can get people to think he doesn’t exist. That’s where my neighbor said he was, doubting that Satan even existed.”
“Yeah,” I replied, “I suppose that if Satan can do that, people can easily fall into the trap of doing his work without even knowing that’s what they are doing.”
“Another great supposition,” Stan said with a smile. “And the spiritual warfare that is going on in our world is just like any other war. If you don’t know who the enemy is, it’s going to be a tough fight.”
“And even further than that,” I added, “If a person doesn’t even recognize the fact that an enemy exists, there’s little chance of being prepared for the battle.”
“Bingo and amen!” Stan exclaimed. “For me to be ready for the spiritual warfare I encounter each day, I have to be prepared by the Holy Spirit to see and to recognize the enemy in all of his various forms. Then, of course, I must rely on the Holy Spirit in dealing with whatever the enemy wants to throw at me.”
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Bible verses to consider:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as an angel of light. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angle of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12.
Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the victory of the cross and for making available to me all that Christ Jesus accomplished with His finished work. Thank you that one day, when my time here is finished, I will board the train, bound for where there is nothing but heavenly glory. Until that day, you have left me here to live and to be yours on this side of eternity, a place where there is evil, wickedness, and darkness. Thank you for the presence of your light to guide me. I pray for those who are living their lives in ignorance. Ignorant of you and all you are and have available for them. And ignorant of the existence of the evil one who wants only to devour them. Please, Father, open their eyes. And please help me in keeping my eyes wide open to see all you have for me to see, including helping others to see. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you ever dealt with someone who denies that spiritual warfare exists? If so, what was that like? Do you sense you are adequately prepared to deal with what the evil one wants to throw at you? If no, and you sense changes are needed, how are those changes going to occur? Do you believe that it is possible to be “over the top” in watching for evil and the evil one? If so, a warning: that could be the beginning of a breakdown in being prepared. Remember that Satan loves it when we discount him and/or his effectiveness.
Waiting for the Train 