We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
If there is a wound in your body, two things can happen. The wound can heal, or the wound can go septic. You need to know how to deal with your wounds.
If you were to ask Absalom, “Who’s the enemy?” without hesitation he would have said, “It’s Amnon! Things will be right after we get rid of him.” That was a big mistake. Things were not right after they were rid of Amnon. As soon as Amnon was dead, Absalom threw himself into another conflict—this time with his father David. If you believe that people are the problem, you will never be done.
Your struggle is not against flesh and blood. The primary struggle in your life is not with a person. It is the activity of your enemy through that person. There is a world of difference between these two things. If you can grasp the difference, it will be a wonderful help to you.
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He did not say to them, “Deliver us from Caesar,” or “Deliver us from the Pharisees.” He said, “Deliver us from evil.” We are to pray for people and against demons.
Our problem lies with the unseen forces of evil that are at work through men like Amnon. If you pin the problem on the person who has wronged you, you will never be able to do what Jesus tells you to do. This is the hardest thing He ever called us to do: Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.
Who have you been thinking about as “the problem” in your life? Ask God to help you begin to pray for him or her.
