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 –Ephesians 6:12King James Version (KJV)
“The greatest hindrance to Christianity is NOT the worldliness outside the church, but the worldliness inside.” – Zwingli
I had a disturbing conversation with someone this morning. After I had calmed down, I realized that this is not a human issue it is just the enemy using a situation to divide and conqueror.
When God’s people have hope and trust in Him and others, the devil will step in and attempt to divide and conqueror. That is what he is splendid at doing. We must always take the high road and eliminate any instance that could tarnish who we are in Christ and what we believe. This nation is acting as if it is devoid of hope.
The enemy will try to suck the construct of “hopefulness” from families first, then spread that concept of hopelessness into the neighborhood, community, county, state, and then out into the nation. The result? Look at anything or any group that you are involved with and see if it is growing for the sake of The Kingdom of God or growing because of what you are doing. It takes faith and hope to live this life that we are called to live. But it takes the Holy Spirit to grow any endeavor that is “Kingdom”.
- Know that you will face roadblocks.
- Know that although we seek to live peaceful lives we are slated to be in a continued battle that involves spiritual warfare against the evil powers of this dark world (Eph 6:10-20).
- Know that we are in a battle between two worlds: God’s Holy Scripture and the unbelief that is riveted into the minds of humanity by the devil (2 Cor. 10:3-5). And, as every Christian knows, there is a fierce inner battle that goes on between the flesh and the spirit, the old man and the new.
- Know that sometimes that same battle goes on within a Christian as they wages that wage against the flesh and the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:17). If we do not learn how to overcome the strong inner urge to gratify the flesh, sin will take us captive and enslave us. Paul describes this war within in
- Know that when a believer does not hand that battle over to the Lord sin holds them captive and enslaves them. Paul identified it in Romans 7:14-25 That is how strife and division flourish within the body of Christ – James addressed it in James 4.
- Know that we can win the war that rages within (Romans 7:21-25).
- Know that when strife presents itself within the body of Christ, it is coming from the Devil. Then ..
- The hurt will not be as intense.
- The anger is aimed at its correct source – the enemy.
- The Christian can easily take the high road recognizing that they too are engaged in the same battle like the one who has hurt their feelings.
- The Church can strengthen its horizontal relationship with the heavenly father.
- The Church can heal and re-establish horizontal relationships with estranged brothers and sisters in Christ.
- This statement will become a memory, “The greatest hindrance to Christianity is NOT the worldliness outside the church, but the worldliness inside.” – Zwingli
Hunger for the things of God and use the Scripture and prayer to fill that desire and the greatest hindrance to Christianity will cease to exist!
You Are Not the Only One 