The Spirit World - Most People Don't Even Realize What's Around Them

Not only is there an invisible world, that world is in the midst of an invisible conflict. The truth is we are involved in an invisible war, a cosmic conflict that has eternal implications. Ephesians 6 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is real, it is severe, and it is radical in its consequences. We are soldiers in the battle that matters most. The fact that we were born in the midst of a war that is raging in the invisible world is not surprising news, but it is important information. It affects almost every area of our lives, and in fact is the real arena in which we live. Paul's specific teaching in 2nd Corinthians 10 3 through 5 is this, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Do you hear the sense of conflict that comes through that passage? Paul clearly informs his readers that they are in a combat against invisible entities and that the battle is intense. He tells the Corinthians to see past the visible forms and to use the spiritual weapons that God has given them. These weapons are capable of destroying everything raised against the knowledge of God. Paul's conclusion gives us a comprehensive insight into where the majority of this battle occurs. Most of it is between our ears, our minds, our belief systems, our worldviews. That's where the enemy aims. If we had any doubt that this is what Paul thinks, we can find another astute observation earlier in 2nd Corinthians. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2nd Corinthians 4 4. In this verse and many others, the struggle is for the spiritual comprehension that takes place in the mind. Because salvation entails our minds and the way we see things, we tend to think that the knowledge of God is an intellectual issue. But it's more than that. It's a spiritual and moral issue. The God of this world has a master plan to blind people's minds so that they will not be able to grasp the truth. That's why intercessory prayer is so crucial. There's a vital connection between acceptance of the gospel and the invisible war. Jesus knew that the conflict was real. When he was in distress in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before his crucifixion, he was tempted to quit. When life became tough, he never put on a superhero cape and forgot to be a man. He was fully God, but he was also fully man. And the Bible tells us he was tempted in every way like we are. This means that he was tempted with so much sin. He agonized to the point where he was sweating drops of blood. What did Jesus do to overcome this struggle? He prayed. His three closest friends were there with him and the only thing he asked them to do was pray. He had a need in his life. He was in the heat of spiritual conflict and his greatest resource was prayer. Earlier that night, he had told Peter that Satan had requested to sift him like wheat. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, and thy faith fail not. And when thou art coveted, strengthened thy brethren. Luke 22 31 and 32. We must recognize that one of the reasons he came was to model for us what it means to walk in complete dependence on the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. So on the night when he was facing his greatest battle and Peter, one of his friends, was the target of the enemy's attack, Jesus expressed the solution for us. He prayed a lot. Do you understand the implications of this? There is a visible and invisible world that overlaps and we live in the intersection. A cosmic conflict is raging and has eternal implications. The souls of men and women, of little boys and girls, of people of all nationalities, color, and language around the world are at stake. The enemy seeks to blind us all to the truth, to dull our souls and ruin our lives. That's what spiritual conflict is all about. Wickedness is expanding on earth, but God says that there is a way out for his children. Knowledge is what gives you that way out. Therefore, seek after knowledge and challenge the forces of wickedness to their faces. Anything that blocks you from getting what you deserve in God constitutes wickedness and God has no hand in it. He also carried the whole world's diseases and sicknesses, pains and afflictions. Every evil thing in this world was laid upon him. Isaiah 53 4 and 5. So when Jesus said, it's finished, in John 19 30, he finished your battles against sin, difficulties, and any form of evil. Let us pray. God, creator of heaven and earth, we come before you to ask for your blessing, to start a new day, because we do not want you to abandon us, nor do we want to leave home without your protection and your guidance. Give us your blessing to not give false footing and not fall into the hands of misfortune and enemies. Give us your blessing so that everything we do today is in your honor, because we are yours. Number 6 24 and 25. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Loving Father, bless us so that we never lack anything. Give us health, strength, and hope to get up and face the world. With the blood of Christ, we do not walk alone. Christ walks by my side, who blesses us this day as every day and protects us from all evil. God, preserve us and save us with your peace, your heart, and your life. Let us return home better than how we left, and may your will be done that we will always know how to thank you. Philippians 4 6 and 7. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Jesus, you are our light in the midst of the darkness of life. You are our guide, our healer, and protector. We trust your decisions and we give you our lives. Remove obstacles from our path and protect us with your divine mantle. Lord, we give ourselves to you. Help us in everything. We put this day in your hands. Give us your blessing, victory, provision, and peace in the name of Jesus. We ask you to change on this day our tears for smiles, our sadness for joy, and our problems for your blessings. Eternal God, teach us to do your will on this day. Make your Spirit guide us and keep us safe on the roads that we have to travel today. Put evil out of our way and free us from all affliction. Give us faith to live, strength to forgive, and thanks to move forward in life. May your will be done today. We know that your plans and designs are perfect. Help us understand what we should do and light up our ways. Lord Jesus, give us the peace that our heart needs and make today a beautiful and blessed day. Drive away from us the enemy and malicious people from our lives. We ask you to guide our walk on the right path that each step will bring us closer to you and we will always remain by our side to overcome the challenges that arise. Bestow your grace on us to keep our eyes wide open and not stumble in the face of our life's difficulties. Give us the serenity we need to face them. May our words build comfort and produce enthusiasm in people who are discouraged or who do not want to continue moving on because of the difficult situation they are going through. Fill our mouth, Lord, such that with each one of the people to whom we have to address today, words of life and words of blessing spring forth from our mouth and whatever we say today attracts an abundance of blessings to people in spiritual and material goodness. Amen.