Not against flesh and blood

Last week I brought up the subject of demons. I realize that this is not a subject that most Presbyterians like to talk about. I have appreciated your comments. As is almost always the case, our collective insight and experience illumines the topic at hand in new and fresh ways!

The Chicago Bears lost to the Miami Dolphins yesterday afternoon. The Bears went into the game as one of the two NFL teams that were undefeated. The Dolphins have been a huge disappointment this year. IMHO the Bears failed to recognize the Dolphins as a threat. This neglect led to their downfall.

The North American church has down played the “supernatural” for decades. Movies like The Exorcist have made demons into Hollywood fiction. Others have tried to use mental illness as a way to describe the strange behaviors of those who may/or may not be demon possessed. For others, it is just too uncomfortable to talk about the evil side of the supernatural.

There are battles against “flesh and blood.” Like most almost-middle-aged men, there is too much of me around my waistline. My problem… I love to eat. This is a battle against “flesh and blood.” Many of our battles are against flesh and blood. However, we can fight our “flesh and blood battles” more effectively if we are spiritually fit.

There are battles that are not against “flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12 says, “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.” There is a spiritual enemy. That enemy must be fought in the spiritual realm. Failure to recognize this enemy can be dangerous.