Winning the Battle Inside of You
By Rick Warren
“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.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
You may not realize it, but you’re in a battle. You may not wear a military uniform, and you may not dodge physical bullets.
But you’re in a battle—an invisible one. It’s called spiritual warfare. You’ll be in the battle from the moment you’re born until the moment you die.
The Bible tells us that you have three mortal enemies out to destroy your life and everything God wants to do through it:
- The world: the dominant value system around us
- The flesh: the old nature within you
- The Devil: a real being that’s out to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NIV) along with his demonic minions
The victory for the battle you’re in won’t come through bullets or tactics. The Bible teaches us that, “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” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV).
In this battle, all that matters is Jesus. He has to be the general of your life, the one in charge of the battle plan. You may be a believer, but that’s not enough for this war within you. Jesus has to be your Lord, too.
Many people believe in Jesus. But to find victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil, Jesus has to be more than just someone you believe in.
Romans 7:24-25 says, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (NIV)
The answer to the all-consuming battle you’re in isn’t a self-help seminar, a new book, or a conference. It’s Jesus. Make him your boss. Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, makes it clear he can’t win the battle on his own. His only hope is “Jesus Christ our Lord.”
And that’s your only hope, too. Jesus, the Lord, who will deliver you.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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