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
It is once again Thanksgiving time in the United States. Most countries have some version of this particular holiday, and rightly so. We have so much to be thankful for!
Yet there are those around the world who will be faced with suffering, war, persecution, and starvation. I think of people in Ukraine, suffering from a war imposed upon them by Vladimir Putin. It seems that his specialty is attacking schools, hospitals and other civilian targets with long-range rockets. So, the verse in Ephesians which talks about struggling against evil is demonstrated here.
Paul, in this verse above, was discussing evil which is brought into the world through wicked rulers and authorities, acting perhaps in the thrall of the “evil one” himself. As representatives of Jesus in our role to bring peace, health, and unity to a broken world, we must identify evil and stand up against it. This concept is described well in the book by N.T. Wright titled The Vision of Ephesians: The Task of the Church and the Glory of God.
So, my friends, we are called to identify evil, resist it, and continue in prayer for vigilance and strength. Jesus has won the battle against evil through his presence on Earth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But we too are called upon to be witness to the ongoing resistance of that evil as it hurts and affects our fellow travelers.
Prayer: …and deliver us from evil, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 