In The Heavenly Places
I believe Paul uses the word "heavenlies" five times in the book of Ephesians. In Greek it is one word in the dative or locative case to show location. In English it is translated "in the heavenly places." What are the heavenlies? It is not talking about heaven, itself. It is a reference to the spiritual realm that is all around us all of the time. Most people do not even know it is there. This lack of knowledge of the heavenlies puts them at a distinct disadvantage in life.
There are thousands of angels and demons around us. They are in the heavenlies. They are fighting against each other, and they are trying to influence people here on earth to do the will of their master. Of course, Satan is the leader of the demons, and God is directing the angels. It is a huge spiritual war that effects everything we experience in life. That is why Ephesians 6:12 assures us that our struggle is not against "flesh and blood." The war is against the forces of Satan in this world. Yes, people are used by him to do his will, so we do have to realize his tactics. However, he is the force behind it all.
Once we realize this war is raging around us in the heavenlies, we can enter the battle by using the spiritual weapons and wearing God's armor. Christians have been given all we need to see Satan defeated in God's power. However, we have to put on the armor each day and stand against Satan in it like Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:10-18. Without the "whole armor of God" Satan will find a crack in the armor. We must have all of the armor and employ the Word of God and prayer against him. Then, there is no way he can defeat us. If we don't fight with God's weapons and God's armor, we are no match for Satan.
Please, take note of this spiritual truth, trust Christ as your Lord, and live each day in the spiritual armor, fighting the good fight of faith with God's weapons. Your life will be so much better.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Philippians 2-4 and Colossians 1.
There are thousands of angels and demons around us. They are in the heavenlies. They are fighting against each other, and they are trying to influence people here on earth to do the will of their master. Of course, Satan is the leader of the demons, and God is directing the angels. It is a huge spiritual war that effects everything we experience in life. That is why Ephesians 6:12 assures us that our struggle is not against "flesh and blood." The war is against the forces of Satan in this world. Yes, people are used by him to do his will, so we do have to realize his tactics. However, he is the force behind it all.
Once we realize this war is raging around us in the heavenlies, we can enter the battle by using the spiritual weapons and wearing God's armor. Christians have been given all we need to see Satan defeated in God's power. However, we have to put on the armor each day and stand against Satan in it like Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:10-18. Without the "whole armor of God" Satan will find a crack in the armor. We must have all of the armor and employ the Word of God and prayer against him. Then, there is no way he can defeat us. If we don't fight with God's weapons and God's armor, we are no match for Satan.
Please, take note of this spiritual truth, trust Christ as your Lord, and live each day in the spiritual armor, fighting the good fight of faith with God's weapons. Your life will be so much better.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Philippians 2-4 and Colossians 1.