I didn’t know about this before I became a Christian. Another Christian had to explain to me about “spiritual warfare”. That time, I thought, it was just me with some family issues and personal issues. Until I started recognizing patterns.
Yes, there are “blinded people” – the ones who can’t discern or distinguish right from wrong, and only care about getting their way, or controlling you to do their way.
40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” – John 12:40 (NASB) – Jesus Foretells His Death – (John 12:27-35)
Some hearts are just way too hardened. They don’t even realize how much they hurt or harm others in their controlling. Well, that’s evil at work in the hearts and minds of people. That gives meaning to what Jesus said before He died on the cross “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
And then God also made me realize that it’s not yet time for them to change, but for ME to change – for me to learn to have more patience, to learn to forgive them from my heart, and learn to pray and love your enemies. That was the lesson for me. 🙂
And we all need to remember, that the sufferings we face as followers of Christ is not exclusive to us – Christians in the past have gone through the same, far worse torture and trauma, that eventually led to their brutal deaths. But God’s Word lives on, as they are taught and passed on from generation to generation.
God does not change. He is the same before, He is the same now – Ruler of All, God of this Universe. And He gave us tips and instructions on how to live, and what to do, how to think, how to pray, how to teach each other, how to love and care and pray for one another. It’s in the Bible and it is in our realizations as we hear His voice and guidance.
We are not battling against people, but the evil in people. We hate the sin, but not the sinner. But we have to keep our faith and our focus on the One who loves us, saves us, nurtures us and guides us. On our part – it’s an action, to “PUT ON” the Full Armor of God. And here it is from the bible, written by the apostle Paul, while in prison, to the Christians in Ephesus:
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 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.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” –Ephesians 6:10-20 (NASB)