Suit up

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Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The four of us were strolling along the beach esplanade. Even though we were in Far North Queensland, it was almost winter, so the mid-morning temperature was relatively mild.

“Have a look at this guy.” My friend nudged me and indicated with his head whom he was referring to. The shirtless disheveled young man was 50 feet ahead walking haphazardly towards us. A shiver crept up my spine, as an overriding sensation to flee struck me.

A quick glance at the intense expressions on my colleagues’ faces revealed a similar foreboding. Our previous casual saunter now became tight and upright.

As he drew closer, his hands were talon-like, his mouth moving as if he was muttering to himself. I was sure he was going to walk straight through us.

Ten feet away his eyes met ours. I gulped.

He growled like a dog as he suddenly changed direction, fleeing diagonally away from us. We all turned to see where he’d gone. We caught a momentary glimpse of his back escaping into adjustment public restrooms.

“Should we go find him?” my mate suggested, taking a step towards the restrooms.

“Are you serious?” I replied, relieved the danger was past.

“He’s possessed, Ian, we could pray for him.”

Our wives were less keen on the proposal and discouraged my friend’s good intentions.

We returned to our saunter, a little shaken, but intrigued.

“He sensed the Holy Spirit inside us,” my friend answered my unspoken question. “The spirit inside him was challenged, hence, the growl and taking flight so hastily.”

My friends, more experienced in the ways of the supernatural, though alarmed, were not overly disturbed by the intrusion.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it for the rest of the day.

Invisible World

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12 NASB)

There is a spiritual battle going on all around us. The battle typically doesn’t confront us so directly like it did that lovely autumnal morning in Cairns over 20 years ago. But if we believe the Word, then it certainly is taking place.

The battle for Christians is likely to be most fierce. When we turn our life over to Jesus, I expect there is a celebration in heaven. Simultaneously, I imagine a contract with our name on it is issued to a demonic assassin or potentially a team of them, to take us down. To undo what the Holy Spirit has birthed in our hearts and have us return to our old ways.

We don’t have to fear this battle as in Christ we have both power and authority over the dark forces. Heaven’s angels don’t lie down and they too have Christ’s authority.

Angelguard features a fictional representation of this ongoing battle. I thought over the next few weeks I’d share some of my perspectives on this battle.

This is a tough, controversial topic and as Kris Vallotton of Bethel states, “Most Christians understand the invisible world with their minds but not with their hearts.” I’d suggest I’m still a long way from that heart experience. Accordingly, I’d welcome any initial comments and/or experiences readers may have had in this area.

May you have a wonderful weekend.

 

 

9 replies
  1. Joanne
    Joanne says:

    I think more recently as I grow in my faith I am truly grasping just how real the Enemy is in this world. Personally I have not seen, but felt very strongly the battle. Once I acknowledged this fight was with evil and suited up, I won! This life with Christ is a whole deeper level that requires redefining your mind. It’s not for the shallow end.

    Reply
    • Ian
      Ian says:

      Amen to that Joanne. It’s strange how often I leave myself unprotected. Standing firm and suiting up every day is the only way as Paul reminds us. Thanks for popping by Joanne.

      Reply
  2. Cherie Gagnon
    Cherie Gagnon says:

    This blog post reminds me of the time Elisha prayed for his servant to see the spiritual world. When his eyes were opened he saw the mountainside filled with chariots of fire. I wonder sometimes what unseen activity is going on around us, or how we might act if we were more mindful of the unseen….

    Reply
    • Ian
      Ian says:

      Yes Cherie, how true you are. Your comment is a good segue to my next post on preemptively striking. Expect the temptation, for example, and do what is needed to minimise it’s impact. Thanks Cherie for sharing.

      Reply
  3. Charlotte Versagi
    Charlotte Versagi says:

    Decide whether you want to write dramatic prose or handle the important issues of spritiual warfare. Your opening reads like a novel…and for someone hungry for this very important topic, your love of your own words and the “I gulped” makes it obvious you are more interested in your writing style than the topic. Take this journey seriously, please.

    Reply
    • Ian
      Ian says:

      Hi Charlotte, thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Please be assured I take spiritual warfare very seriously, however, do profess to be a novice as I acknowledge in the post. By sharing my first experience I sought to introduce the topic. I’d love to hear more of where your hunger for the topic is leading you.

      Take care.

      Reply
    • Ian
      Ian says:

      Indeed it is Margaret. That’s one of the key themes of Angelguard in fact. Prayer and scripture are 2 mighty weapons we have access to. Thanks so much for your encouragement, Margaret.

      Reply

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  1. […] I mentioned in my first post on spiritual warfare, we’re in a battle, if we like or not. And the best way to survive and […]

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