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”
Tag Archives: spiritual warfare
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”
WHEN DARKNESS KNOWS WHO JUST WALKED IN
In the Life of Christ There is a striking moment early in Mark’s Gospel that I think we can read too quickly. Jesus enters the synagogue at Capernaum, teaches with an authority unlike that of the scribes, and suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cries out. Mark 1:24 records the spirit saying, “What doContinue reading “WHEN DARKNESS KNOWS WHO JUST WALKED IN”
The Battle Is Won in Daily Choices
DID YOU KNOW “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” — Proverbs 1:10 Did You Know that temptation becomes sin only when desire is welcomed and embraced? James 1:12–16 gives us one of Scripture’s clearest descriptions of how temptation works. James does not say that being tempted makes us guilty. He says thatContinue reading “The Battle Is Won in Daily Choices”
The Battle May Be Closer Than You Think
On Second Thought “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” — Proverbs 1:10 There is something compelling about the language of spiritual battle. Scripture itself uses it. Paul speaks of armor, warfare, endurance, and standing firm. We are told to resist the devil, remain alert, contend for the faith, and refuse the enticementContinue reading “The Battle May Be Closer Than You Think”
When God Raises the Warning Signal
DID YOU KNOW “Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.” — Isaiah 13:2 Did you know that God’s warning of judgment is also an expression of His mercy? Isaiah 13 opens with the sound of battle. God commands that a signal beContinue reading “When God Raises the Warning Signal”