Sunday, 28 January 2024
BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED AND ALERT
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).
As Christians, we must be spiritually minded and alert at all times because we're soldiers in God's army, engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 says, "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."
Then 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us about our weapons in this ongoing warfare: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." Although the war is always on, we're not told exactly when each battle will occur, but God wants us prepared all the time. He tells us about the "...evil day..." (Ephesians 6:13).
The "evil day" signifies battle days. A battle is the actual fight of a war. Hence, we must be battle-ready by being spiritually minded, being acutely sensitive to the Spirit and attuned to His signals. We have an adversary that we're up against-Satan. He doesn't just go to sleep.
1 Peter 5:8-9 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith" Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
You have dominion and authority over principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Use the spiritual weapons listed in Ephesians 6:14-18 to frustrate their stratagems and wiles, and foil all their evil works. Hallelujah!
PRAYER: Dear Father, my mind and affections are set on the Lord and things pertaining to Christ, His Gospel and eternal Kingdom. I live in the Word and walk in the full consciousness of the spiritual Kingdom to which I belong. I'm guided by the Word, and I maintain my dominion over Satan and the principalities of darkness, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 8:5-8; Romans 8:13-14; Ephesians 6:10-19
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 19:16-20:1-16 & Exodus 15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 13:13-25 & Job 26-27