Ready and Steady
by Yesenia Menjivar
“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (Acts 2:34-35).” When I think about this truth - flesh and blood do not come to mind in terms of an enemy. What does come to mind are the spiritual forces of evil that create spiritual warfare and havoc in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). There are three ways I can think of that individuals may perceive evil principalities and the enemy.
One way is to be ignorant against the power and darkness of this world. Therefore, we live our lives blind and oblivious to what is really happening in the spiritual realm. To be ignorant of anything is to lack awareness and knowledge. Whether a believer or unbeliever, the topic of pure evil in this world is not one that you bring to the dinner table. Accordingly, if it is unspoken and not identified it remains in the dark and has dominion over one’s life. Looking back, I can think about experiences in my own life where evil spiritual forces were influencers, yet disguised as normalcy. There was no gauge of evil doing in my life. A life unhindered. The more I lived for my happiness alone, the more power the enemy had over me.
The second way one may perceive dark rulers and principalities is to believe it exists, yet not regard Jesus. This is also the work of evil spiritual forces in one's life and can point to that “New Age” trap. I’m sure we can think about people in our lives with this mindset or that believe in some other feel-good concoction from this world. But Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He has unfailing love for us. Then and now. He reconciles us to our Father and redeems us from our sins. When we grab a hold of this truth, the enemy is not happy and will try to steal it (John 10:10). The bible doesn’t tell us we will be free of trouble, but he gives us peace because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Leading me to the third and transformative way we ought to view evil spirits and therefore spiritual warfare - be ready and steady. You see, there is a gauge for spiritual warfare, and it is the Holy Spirit. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. Partnered with your faith and your trust in God, spiritual warfare is a means to victory for the glory to God. It is a means to victory because Jesus already won the ultimate victory. We know how the story already ends. Thus, be ready and steady to war in praise, worship, and prayer through it all. Because it is he who will sustain you and it is he who will make your enemies your footstool. When you are sensing from the Holy Spirit spiritual warfare in your life I challenge you to change your perspective. Beloved, fight your battles as a victor and not a victim.
There are historical war illustrations that give greater depth to the footstool symbolism. War tells of a time when enemies were captured and defeated, they would be at the mercy of their conqueror. The enemy would become the slave of the warrior by bowing down and allowing the victor to place their feet on the enemy’s back as a sign of victory. Humiliating their enemy and making them their footstool. My prayer is this, by the authority of Jesus Christ that has been bestowed upon you, fight warriors fight.
“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (Acts 2:34-35).” When I think about this truth - flesh and blood do not come to mind in terms of an enemy. What does come to mind are the spiritual forces of evil that create spiritual warfare and havoc in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). There are three ways I can think of that individuals may perceive evil principalities and the enemy.
One way is to be ignorant against the power and darkness of this world. Therefore, we live our lives blind and oblivious to what is really happening in the spiritual realm. To be ignorant of anything is to lack awareness and knowledge. Whether a believer or unbeliever, the topic of pure evil in this world is not one that you bring to the dinner table. Accordingly, if it is unspoken and not identified it remains in the dark and has dominion over one’s life. Looking back, I can think about experiences in my own life where evil spiritual forces were influencers, yet disguised as normalcy. There was no gauge of evil doing in my life. A life unhindered. The more I lived for my happiness alone, the more power the enemy had over me.
The second way one may perceive dark rulers and principalities is to believe it exists, yet not regard Jesus. This is also the work of evil spiritual forces in one's life and can point to that “New Age” trap. I’m sure we can think about people in our lives with this mindset or that believe in some other feel-good concoction from this world. But Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He has unfailing love for us. Then and now. He reconciles us to our Father and redeems us from our sins. When we grab a hold of this truth, the enemy is not happy and will try to steal it (John 10:10). The bible doesn’t tell us we will be free of trouble, but he gives us peace because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Leading me to the third and transformative way we ought to view evil spirits and therefore spiritual warfare - be ready and steady. You see, there is a gauge for spiritual warfare, and it is the Holy Spirit. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. Partnered with your faith and your trust in God, spiritual warfare is a means to victory for the glory to God. It is a means to victory because Jesus already won the ultimate victory. We know how the story already ends. Thus, be ready and steady to war in praise, worship, and prayer through it all. Because it is he who will sustain you and it is he who will make your enemies your footstool. When you are sensing from the Holy Spirit spiritual warfare in your life I challenge you to change your perspective. Beloved, fight your battles as a victor and not a victim.
There are historical war illustrations that give greater depth to the footstool symbolism. War tells of a time when enemies were captured and defeated, they would be at the mercy of their conqueror. The enemy would become the slave of the warrior by bowing down and allowing the victor to place their feet on the enemy’s back as a sign of victory. Humiliating their enemy and making them their footstool. My prayer is this, by the authority of Jesus Christ that has been bestowed upon you, fight warriors fight.