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Thursday, June 10, 2010

Addressing Our Spiritual Enemies

(part 1)

“When the servant of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my Lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid.” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servants eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

2 Kings 6:15-17

The King of Aram had sent his troops to capture the Prophet Elisha. God had been revealing the King of Aram’s plans to Elisha and, in turn, Elisha was relaying those plans on to the King of Israel. When the King of Aram found out about it, he sent his army, including his best horses and chariots to the city of Dothan to detain him. When Elisha’s servant woke up the next morning, the place where they were staying was surrounded. They were in a very real, physical dilemma. They were completely surrounded by the Aramean army.

What is significant about this passage of scripture is that, through it, we are made aware of the “spiritual component” pertaining to Elisha’s situation. Where Elisha’s servant was only aware of the “physical struggle” playing out in front of them, it is clear that Elisha was aware of the spiritual.

Like Elisha’s servant, many of us have “carnalized” our problems. We have relegated them to the “physical” while ignoring the spiritual. We have “demonized” our friends, co-workers, loved ones, and spouses; rather than addressing our very real spiritual enemies. We have done in the natural all that we know and care to do, but have largely ignored the “spiritual struggle.”

Jesus was very much aware of and addressed these spiritual struggles on a daily basis. He recognized demonic activity in people’s lives and was not afraid to address it. We see a great example of this in Mark 1:21-28. Jesus is teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum when a man possessed by an evil spirit cried out:

“What do you want with us , Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are- the Holy One of God!”

Mark 1:24

Jesus, recognizing that the man was possessed by a demon, turns to him, commands him to be silent, and then casts the demon out of him. Jesus didn’t try to ignore him, explain him away or even medicate him…He recognized the “spiritual struggle” this man was steeped in and addressed it! We, too, must recognize that the realm of the Spirit is very real and acknowledge that there are spiritual enemies that must be faced!



Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com

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