Imagine you were one of the women followers of Jesus during his three-year ministry on earth. What would it be like as you heard his teachings, walked by his side, and watched his ministry?
Dear sister,
Jesus is so popular now. Everywhere we go, people crowd around us to listen to his teaching or to be healed. Yesterday, there were so many people crammed into every part of the house that we could not even eat. Jesus’ family showed up and disappointed us by their disrespectful behavior. They wanted to take Jesus away because they said, “He is out of his mind.” Oh sister, how can his own family misunderstand him like that! That must be painful for our Master.
Yesterday, the tension got even worse. Some of the Pharisees came in and accused Jesus of being possessed by the prince of demons. As usual, Jesus handled the confrontations calmly and with wise words. He said, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.” What really spoke to me were his next words. “No one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strongman.”
Sister, I realized yesterday that we are not just in a battle with people. Yes, Jesus must have been hurt when his family misunderstood him. The teachers of the Law falsely accused him of being from the devil. How awful after all the merciful deeds he has done this past year for so many people. Jesus helped me to see that our real struggle is against Satan. Jesus said he is going to bind Satan and his evil. I don’t know how or when. Perhaps this is what is happening when he casts out demons and makes the blind to see. It is a whole new perspective to realize that ultimately, the evil done around me is the result of Satan’s work. I am sure this is part of the reason Jesus does not feel utterly rejected, betrayed, or bitter when others misunderstand or accuse him.
I have always been one to react strongly when I feel misunderstood. Now I see that it is the evil one who is trying to bring division and despair into my life. Because of this, today I was able to forgive a few people from my past. I know it is because of the new understanding of what is going on in the spiritual realm. Sister, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and his workers, the demons.
Experiencing a new freedom,
your Big Sister
Today’s Bible Reading: Mark 3:20-30; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Today’s Application:
We all go through times of rejection and feeling misunderstood. This is quite painful and can lead us into arguments or division with others. The Lord calls us to forgive those who hurt us. Realize that our true struggle is against Satan and his demons. They are trying to bring division into our relationships. That is why Paul warns us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness (see Ephesians 6:12).
Paul also tells us that when we hold onto anger, we give the devil a foothold into our lives (see Ephesians 4:26-27). Satan has an opportunity to erode our relationships and our own physical, emotional, and spiritual health. We are not to use the weapons of this world: bitterness, arguing, unforgiveness, lying, gossip, intimidation, manipulation, or abuse (physical, emotional, or verbal abuse). Rather, we are to use the weapons of prayer and God’s Word to demolish arguments. We are to take captive every thought toward others and make it obedient to Christ. Then we will demolish the devil’s strongholds and experience freedom (see 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
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