Using his weapons to fight him
By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."- NIV
We are engaged in a spiritual battle against forces of darkness in heavenly realms. But these forces execute their schemes on earth through human beings. Paul reminds us that our battle is not physical, but against schemes of the devil. This speaks to the battle strategy to use to defeat them. And so the armor of God is most suited to counter these forces.
Satan most times never appears as Satan in day to day life battles. What we see are people killing, stealing, lying, and engaged in all sorts of evil. Our first reaction is to hate and fight back people. But the real enemy behind their actions is the devil and his demons. True, human beings have a responsibility to account for their evils. But many have been held hostage by demonic forces that drive them to do what they do. That’s why they keep repeating them, despite the law catching up with them.
Satan’s strategy is to make us only focus on the physical, fight and hate people as he hides behind the scenes and escapes attention. Human efforts are very limited in dealing with demonic influences. That’s why they keep doing the same things. Only spiritual warfare suffices, the reason Jesus asked us to pray for our enemies and not pay evil for evil. By praying and doing good, you are dealing with the real forces behind their actions. Using evil to pay back evil is using the devil’s weapons to fight him back. You certainly lose.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21
Shalom children of God.