On Second Thought There is a considerable difference between possessing a statement of faith and living a life of faith. We may affirm that Jesus is Lord, Scripture is true, prayer matters, temptation is dangerous, and obedience is necessary. Yet those convictions become spiritually effective only when they influence our choices, habits, relationships, and responsesContinue reading “When Belief Steps Out of the Church Door”
Tag Archives: spiritual warfare
The Strength That Begins on Our Knees
On Second Thought There are moments when the Christian life feels more complicated than it should. We search for the right strategy, the strongest argument, or the spiritual technique that will finally make us victorious. Yet Paul warned the Corinthians that their minds could be “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 CorinthiansContinue reading “The Strength That Begins on Our Knees”
When Kindness Needs Courage
As the Day Begins “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables.” —2 Peter 1:16 Peter’s words come from an eyewitness who had seen the majesty of Jesus Christ. He was not offering a religious legend or a story polished to impress an audience. The Greek word translated “cunningly devised” is sesophismenoi, related to sophizō,Continue reading “When Kindness Needs Courage”
When the Lion Waits Until You Are Tired
On Second Thought There are certain temptations we expect. We know our weak places, we understand some of our recurring struggles, and we often believe that simply knowing them gives us an advantage. But Scripture warns us that temptation is not always obvious, predictable, or polite. Sometimes it arrives when we are tired. Sometimes itContinue reading “When the Lion Waits Until You Are Tired”
When the Battle Is Bigger Than You
On Second Thought There are days when spiritual warfare does not feel theological at all. It feels personal. You wake up already tired. A temptation you thought had weakened suddenly returns. An old fear finds its voice again. Something someone said begins replaying in your mind. A problem you had hoped would resolve itself growsContinue reading “When the Battle Is Bigger Than You”
When the Battle Is Won by Surrender
On Second Thought There are battles in the Christian life that cannot be won by simply trying harder. We can discipline ourselves, change routines, avoid certain situations, and surround ourselves with better influences, and all of those things can be helpful. But when Scripture speaks about spiritual strongholds, it points us beyond ordinary self-improvement. PaulContinue reading “When the Battle Is Won by Surrender”
When the Enemy Finds a Place to Stand
On Second Thought “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 There are battles we recognize immediately and others we barely notice. We know when someone opposesContinue reading “When the Enemy Finds a Place to Stand”
The Enemy Is Dangerous—But He Is Not God
On Second Thought There is a healthy kind of spiritual awareness, and there is an unhealthy kind. Scripture never invites us to become fascinated with Satan, obsessed with demons, or preoccupied with darkness. At the same time, the Bible does not tell us to pretend the enemy does not exist. Peter gives us a balancedContinue reading “The Enemy Is Dangerous—But He Is Not God”
The Enemy Who Has Already Lost
On Second Thought There is something about fear that enlarges whatever we are looking at. A shadow becomes a threat. A possibility becomes a certainty. A difficult opponent becomes unbeatable. The same thing can happen spiritually when Christians think about Satan. Scripture does not encourage us to treat him casually, but neither does it permitContinue reading “The Enemy Who Has Already Lost”
Do Not Ignore the Enemy—Do Not Fear Him Either
On Second Thought There is a strange imbalance that can creep into the Christian life. Some believers hardly ever think about spiritual opposition at all. Others seem to think about little else. The study for today calls both approaches dangerous. Mark Bubeck warns that Satan and the kingdom of darkness present a genuine challenge toContinue reading “Do Not Ignore the Enemy—Do Not Fear Him Either”