“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)

While at a coffee shop recently, I overheard someone say that they hated a certain politician passionately and wished that they would... (I won't repeat what they said they wished would happen to them, but it was ugly.) The person saying this was a fellow believer, so I asked him if that politician was made out of “flesh and blood.” And if their answer is “yes, they are,” then our fight isn’t against them but against the enemy who is using them for his evil purposes. The passage above reveals that our warfare isn't with people but against the spiritual powers who inspire and use people.

God can change evil people!

Pray that God will save and turn around those who are off track. God is good at doing this! A good example of this is the Apostle Paul, who was complacent in the murder of Stephen and actively persecuted and imprisoned Christians. However, Jesus dramatically converted him, transforming him into a great servant for Christ. (See Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-21; and 26:12-18).

Therefore

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Tim. 2:1_2)

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matt. 5:44 ESV)

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

When slavery ended, not everyone got the message, so they remained in slavery even though they were legally free. Then there were some who were comfortable in slavery and chose to remain there. The same applies to Christianity: some people are unaware of their freedom, while others find comfort in the bonds that bind them. And, however they think in their minds, that’s their reality: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7).

Jesus set you free

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isa. 61:1)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17)

Therefore

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Rom. 6:22)

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” (Eccles. 10:10 NIV)

Practice

The above passage says you need to sharpen your ax with skill, because a dull ax takes more energy and a sharp ax allows you to work more efficiently, which is smarter, not harder.

Sharpen up your abilities your aptitudes, and your skills

Sharpening up is a prudent step towards achieving success in your abilities, aptitudes and skills. How do you do this? One way is to stir them up and get them moving and working. Here’s the key: Just work on what you’re good at and make it better. Build on your strengths so that your weaknesses become irrelevant.

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...” (2 Tim. 1:6)

Therefore

 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Eccles. 10:9)

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov. 31:8-9)

The Bible clearly commands us to pray for and love those who persecute us personally (see Matt. 5:44). An example of this attitude was Jesus’ prayer on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). But we are also commanded to stand up for truth and righteousness, to defend the rights of the poor and the needy, and to fight injustice toward those who are vulnerable in society.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)

Act justly and love mercy

Micah gives a concise summary of what God requires of us,

“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Part of living righteously means actively pursuing justice, especially for those who cannot stand up for themselves. To treat people fairly and push back against corrupt systems and power structures that oppress the marginalized. True righteousness demands action, speaking out with courage against corrupt powers to correct oppression.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isa. 1:17)

Freedom for the oppressed

When Jesus announced the launch of His earthly ministry, He did so by quoting the prophet Isaiah,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

As followers of Jesus, we must be willing to take courageous stances for biblical principles, even in the face of persecution. Relying on the strength of the Lord, we can confidently obey God by advocating for the oppressed and speaking out against all forms of evil. May we passionately pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God.

Obey God rather than men

When the religious authorities attempted to stop the apostles from preaching about Jesus, Peter responded boldly,

“We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29)

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7)

Everyone has enemies

Even Jesus, despite his perfection, faced opposition from religious leaders who harbored jealousy. People encounter enemies in various forms, such as childhood bullies, jealous coworkers, unkind neighbors, highway road-ragers, divisive employees, or even mean-spirited “friends” or toxic relatives. Here’s how the Bible puts it:

“For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” (Psalm 109:2-5) 

How you should treat enemies

Even though it goes against human nature, God commands us to love our enemies and to counter their unkind acts with kindness and generosity.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:27-31 ESV) 

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Rom. 12:14)

Therefore

Let the Lord fight your battles for you.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7 ESV) 

“But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” (Exo. 23:22)

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exo. 14:14)

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:17)

Wow! The above passage says, “we have all received grace upon grace!” Imagine that! Grace is defined as unmerited favor, and God heaps it on with His over-the-top kind of favor with a multitude of His blessings. In fact, His blessings are described in another passage as “Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Eph. 3:20).

Blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” (Eph. 1:13) 

Therefore

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV)

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

You were fearfully and wonderfully made

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalms 139:13-16)

Ask God to enlighten you to know His purpose for you

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” (Eph. 1:18)

Therefore

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Eph. 3:20)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8)

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Eph. 4.13)

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 NKJV) 

The devil will flee

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:7-10, NKJV)

Jesus will help you

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Heb. 2:18 NKJV)

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18)

Satisfaction is defined as the state of being content, the feeling that one’s needs or wants are met. In the late 1960’s there was a popular song called, “I can’t get no satisfaction!” True satisfaction is still a rare condition today, as many people show dissatisfaction with their jobs, marriages, circumstances, and with themselves. The reason they can’t find it is because they are looking in the wrong places. True and lasting satisfaction in life depends on having a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Nothing else even comes close!

Contentment is the prelude to satisfaction

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

Therefore

To be satisfied means you are not yearning for something else. When your hunger is satisfied, you don’t want more food. When your thirst is satisfied, you don’t crave more water. When you are in right relationship with God, you are satisfied.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25–26).