Know Your Enemy

To most Americans who don’t know the Bible (especially younger Americans), Christians seem to be fighting a war against progressive ideas. Given the media portrayals of Christians denouncing this or that societal change, that’s an easy conclusion to reach. It would tie together what they know of our complaints and boycotts.

Now, let me go on record here to say that I’m committed to a straightforward reading of the Bible. All the way. I just accept what it says.

That’s why I know the enemy. And the enemy is not gay marriage, evolution, liberals, conservatives, or any other ideology. No, here’s what Paul says:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

When we focus on the symptoms, we miss the real disease. The reason we’re fighting these secondary issues is because we’re not struggling against the primary one. We’re not here to attack people or their ideas—and certainly not their failings. We’re here to love them, point them to the Truth, and bring down Satan’s strongholds. (Yeah, I know—we like to act like that guy doesn’t exist.)

There are many, many people out there who are held captive. Satan uses them as living shields. We see those held hostage and ignore the one who’s really doing the damage.

Our fight isn’t against any person. It’s not against unbiblical relationships or gruesome acts. It’s not against institutions.

Our fight begins on our knees in prayer and continues with our servant’s hands.