Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, 15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; 18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God's people.
Spiritual Boundaries
If we think boundaries are just about managing a healthy relationship with others... we have forgotten a very real battlefield that we must learn to effectively fight and defend our bounds in: The spirit.
Our spiritual battles are ALL ABOUT BOUNDARIES!
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy... violating our spiritual boundaries. Only he tries to make us think we are fighting ourselves and our own struggles.
So, we need to take our God given authority and dominion and stand up for ourselves. The enemy cannot make us do anything any more than a person can make us do something. We have the privilege of choosing what we will do and not do, what we will think about and will not think about.
The enemy tries hard to get us to utterly hate and condemn our own selves, from frustration thinking that we are powerless in the war against own minds. But this is not true, for we struggle not with flesh and blood (which includes ourselves). He would rather us fight ourselves than fight the enemy!
We take every thought captive and make it obedient to the knowledge of Christ. Does that mean we are putting part of ourselves into captivity. NO! Who the Son sets free is truely free. We are putting the enemy's suggestions into captivity. and choosing freedom for ourselves. This awareness is rather helpful for self esteem. We are called to love ourselves, which makes us love others. And to hate evil. So, we separate ourselves from evil. If we don't do this, then we are needlessly battling our own selves. And the word says that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Ephesians exhorts us to stand, which means we cannot be divided against ourselves. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
So, stand firm. Set your boundaries. You don't have to scream and yell at the enemy- don't be aggressive. Be assertive. Love yourself, love God and love others. You, God and others are not enemies! And God has given you authority...
Luke 10:19 CJB
Remember, I have given you authority; so you can trample down snakes and scorpions, indeed, all the Enemy's forces; and you will remain completely unharmed. -Jesus
