Post by cspain03 on Oct 1, 2015 6:56:38 GMT
So these chapters are short sooo on to chapter 2 !
What was most eye opening to me was the theme that I AM responsible for casting out demons and engaging in spiritual wardare. It was never something I associated with myself - like it's not my calling or spiritual gift, that's for someone else to do, that's for pastors to do, I'm just here to serve Lord - WRONG ! We're shown here that through salvation and the Holy Baptism (pg 17) we are already provided with what we need to fight back. There great scripture references throughout this chapter on how we are equipped and our responsibility to fight (and action) back - it's spiritual warfare but still warfare. The emphasis and breakdown of POWER and AUTHORITY stuck out to me as well, we have it and have to use it against what has been given to demons in this world. I'm encouraged by pg 18 where the author talks about Satan's armor being removed and happy he is vulnerable but how we as Christians never are. For me that says, the hard part has already been taken care of, I'm going to be victorious in this fight, but I need to fight - the loss comes when no action is taken.
We also have to remember that Satan is already defeated (pg 17) - so we have the right to treat him and his demons as trespassers but that requires action - the "no trespassing" property signs aren't going to be enough !
Lastly, the reminder that ignoring Saran isn't the answer and only permits him to operated unchallenge (pg 19) - that right there hit me hard. We wanna walk around and act like all is well (with this world and with ourselves) when we know that's not the case. In doing so we are giving Satan more power to keep do distructive things. Yea it may be easier on the front side to act like my envy isn't a big deal or operating in the things of marriage outside of marriage is ok cause others do it - but I'm only hurting myself. Like @quia said before - God can't use me like He wants to and should be able to if I'm not actively addressing issues in myself (first) or the environment around me
What was most eye opening to me was the theme that I AM responsible for casting out demons and engaging in spiritual wardare. It was never something I associated with myself - like it's not my calling or spiritual gift, that's for someone else to do, that's for pastors to do, I'm just here to serve Lord - WRONG ! We're shown here that through salvation and the Holy Baptism (pg 17) we are already provided with what we need to fight back. There great scripture references throughout this chapter on how we are equipped and our responsibility to fight (and action) back - it's spiritual warfare but still warfare. The emphasis and breakdown of POWER and AUTHORITY stuck out to me as well, we have it and have to use it against what has been given to demons in this world. I'm encouraged by pg 18 where the author talks about Satan's armor being removed and happy he is vulnerable but how we as Christians never are. For me that says, the hard part has already been taken care of, I'm going to be victorious in this fight, but I need to fight - the loss comes when no action is taken.
We also have to remember that Satan is already defeated (pg 17) - so we have the right to treat him and his demons as trespassers but that requires action - the "no trespassing" property signs aren't going to be enough !
Lastly, the reminder that ignoring Saran isn't the answer and only permits him to operated unchallenge (pg 19) - that right there hit me hard. We wanna walk around and act like all is well (with this world and with ourselves) when we know that's not the case. In doing so we are giving Satan more power to keep do distructive things. Yea it may be easier on the front side to act like my envy isn't a big deal or operating in the things of marriage outside of marriage is ok cause others do it - but I'm only hurting myself. Like @quia said before - God can't use me like He wants to and should be able to if I'm not actively addressing issues in myself (first) or the environment around me