Spiritual Warfare is Not Spooky

Well, God is on the move. And because of that, there are lots of distractions. Yes, because God is on the move, the enemy is on the move as well. But believers in the workplace are strategically placed to make a difference.

Whether you are working in education or business, private sector, public sector, small towns, big city, whether you are in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe or the Americas, God has you there to make a difference for Him. There is only one place to look for guidance and that will never change.

Believers believe that God has spoken to us through His word which has been written down by writers inspired by Him. Why many do not believe this is because of a truth borne out in Scripture, that is, we are not in a battle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Spiritual Warfare is Not Spooky

Some people freak out at the mention of the term “spiritual warfare.” They think it means that you must be some sort of spiritual giant, a great saint, someone who has worked their way to the top battling demons in the prayer closet for 15 hours a day, 365 days a year.

I wish we all could spend that much time praying in a closet, but most of us cannot. I believe the Bible teaches that if we do not work we ought not to eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). And the Bible also says we are to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:16). Therefore, 15 hours a day in the prayer closet may actually be counterproductive!

In other words, you and I are to be salt and light in this world every day wherever we are (Matthew 5:13-16.) That is our job! Our other job is to believe God! (John 6:26-29) And praying without ceasing must be a real expectation or else Paul would not have written it. This is where a lot of us get nervous.

You Don't Need to Go Out and Buy Another How-to Book

Big ministries stay in business by convincing you that you need to buy another book, go to another conference, buy some more technologies, this, that and the other. Sorry, you are free to disagree. I'm from the school that believes that Jesus Christ gave us everything we need for our life and godliness (II Peter 1:3), and that it is in Him. Not saying don't buy books, don't go to conferences or use technology.

Just saying, and I think we need the whole verse here: “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (II Peter 1:3-4)

Now that is something to ponder.

Meditate On These Things

Those are the kind of verses that stop us in our tracks and give us a moment just to reflect on the great gift we have received in the knowledge of the Lord. This eternal God we serve and love and receive life from on a daily basis has provided us with everything we need so much so that we can share it with others – must share it with others. Even if they don't want to hear or receive or follow or believe.

He has given us a job to do. So no matter what the job market looks like right now, no matter what trial you and I are facing in this crazy, confused, distracting, painful and difficult world, we have this Lord who came to us and revealed Himself to us through His life, His death, His resurrection, His word, His spirit, His love and His power. We have what the world is looking for. May they find it in us.

Father, we are so grateful for Your love and Your gifts, most of all the gift of Your Son. Teach us to know You better and love You more, so that through our love relationship with You we may let our light so shine that the world may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. For the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ephesians 6:12

II Thessalonians 3:10

I Thessalonians 5:16

Matthew 5:13-16

John 6:26-29

II Peter 1:3-4

This article will also appear in the Fellowship of Global Christian Job Seekers October, 2014 newsletter and Examiner.com. If you need prayer, want to comment or ask questions, email me at carolyncogswell@yahoo.com