Peace and quiet finds me with a good book in the sun room. The sun sets ushering in a subtle darkness yet I continue to read. Eventually, complete darkness closes in making me struggle to see. Why not turn on the light? I adjust to the darkness even while knowing that the light is better. The power of the inevitable darkness has a hold…
The power of Satan at work in our lives is as subtle and sneaky. Most addictions do not happen overnight. Most stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and depression happen as a result of something else. Satan fights for our soul using attacks on our brains. We don’t see the attack coming until we are already in the darkness. Fortunately, we have One who is also fighting for us to give us Light in the darkness. Isaiah tells us, Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Jesus is our Light. While circumstances change time and again, Jesus’ light remains constant.
How to focus on His Light? I don’t know about you, but I make mistakes. Lots of them. I tell my mind to focus and it does the exact opposite. Luckily for me, instructions are given in Ephesians on how to use the Lord’s mighty power with the armor of God to fight against the power of darkness and focus on His Light.
Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
The instructions are there to use. Choose to believe no matter what. Read the word of God to be strong in the mighty power of the Lord. How else can I use these words? If I put each of God’s armor on a sticky note around the house and car, I can remind myself of the Light. It’s as if I’m plugging in lamps everywhere I go. It will give the constant reminder every time I see them. Give the Light power.
John tells us that,
1 John 1:5b-7 God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Avoid subtle attacks. Fellowship with each other and help them to avoid subtle attacks. Then like Paul in Acts 26, open others’ eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.
~Shelley Rindfuss
