I have seen all these “throw back” pictures and throw back thoughts on FB. As I have gotten a little older I have started going back through pictures of my family history, man what a “throw back.” I didn’t realize that my mother had taken pictures of me when I was working out and lifting weights. Not a pretty sight, let me tell you. It is probably a good thing that the Lord called me into ministry because sports is NOT my forte. I’m short, I’m slow, and I’m not very coordinated in any sport.
However, in saying all of that I did try a few. I play all kinds of “backyard” sports, football, baseball, basketball, and even wrestling. I did sign up for the 5th grade wrestling team. I think I lasted about a month on the team. The whole thing about wrestling is to get your opponent down on the mat and pin their shoulder to the mat for a three count. Most of the time my shoulders were on the mat for the three count not my opponents. In one match my opponent grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder into the air and then down onto the mat. Of course I was on my back and pinned before I knew what hit me and before I could react. Like I said I was not very good at wrestling.
In our study of Ephesians 6 we are up to v. 12 which talks about wrestling with our enemy. The word “wrestle” that Paul uses here actually is defined as endeavoring to throw your opponent. Then to press and hold him down with your hand on his neck as you gouge out his eyes giving him blindness for the rest of his days. Now as much as we might want to do this to some of our physical enemies we have to realize that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. We are wrestling against spiritual forces that possess unbelievable power. There are some things that we need to keep in mind:
- The forces of evil are powerful forces. The thrust of this verse is to stress the enormous power of evil forces which stand against us.
- The forces of evil are numerous. Principalities, powers, rulers—all convey the idea of a large number of evil forces who are struggling against the believer.
- The forces of evil are apparently organized into a government or a hierarchy of evil. Again, principalities, powers, and rulers of this world in high places—all point toward a ranking of spiritual forces with enormous authority, position and rule.
- The forces of evil are the rulers of the darkness of this world. Darkness in the Bible means the ignorance of truth and reality, of the real nature and purpose of things. For example…
- What is the source of man and his world?
- Where have man and his world come from?
- What is the purpose of man and his world? Why are man and his world existing?
- What is the end of man and his world? Is there even a place to go after this life another world, another life?
Darkness is not knowing these things; it is being ignorant of them. Light is know God and His Son, Jesus Christ—that God and Christ stand as the Source and Purpose and end of man and his world. Light is knowing the truth and reality, that God created all for Himself, and that He loves and saves all to live with Him eternally—if all will only believe and trust Him.
The forces of evil are the rulers of darkness, the rulers who blind our minds to try and keep us from believing the glorious gospel of eternal salvation. What is it that you believe? Are you standing strong against the enemy? Have you thrown him back? Today, instead of throwing back a picture of the past, throw back the enemy, fight him. Live VICTORIOUS and until next time have a blessed day.
Pastor Rob
