Spiritual Warfare

Did you ever have something you wanted to do? Not really that important, but something you wanted to look up or a book you wanted to read? I for one, have multiple wish lists on multiple websites, of multiple books I would like to read at some point in my life. I go through these lists about once a month, updating new ones and deleting ones I've actually read. There is this one book in particular that has been hanging around on one of my wish lists for about five years. I never bought it, because I wasn't sure of the author and I wanted to try and find it at the library. I've searched here and there and it was never on the search list - let alone available. Anyway, about a month ago, out of the blue, I searched for it on my library account and found it. So, I requested it in and went and picked it up (with many others) and brought it home. It sat on my table for three weeks. I renewed online. It sat for another 2 1/2 weeks. I got a notice it was due. So I decided I had better put down the other books I'm reading and get to it. It was due on Saturday. I finished it today.

It changed my world.

It's called The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldmann. It happens to be a novel about spiritual warfare and it's about a girl who goes to Harvard University and the many things that happen at college that can shake your belief system. The story is a riveting ride through the history of Harvard and the spiritual battle going on behind the scenes there. A great read - I highly recommend it. There are also a lot of great conversations that often come up for Christians going to a secular university. She brings out some really great points that I've never even thought of before. Those parts of the book were a bonus.

I've read a few novels that dealt with spiritual warfare before (and yes, they are novels but they have some great research behind them - not to mention divine inspiration) and they always get me thinking. We as Christians often take for granted that there is a battle being fought -for us. All around us. This book in particular showed how beings - be they angels or demons - actually influence our every thought. I knew feelings of doubt, discouragement and inadequecy were of the devil, but I never really thought about how they were put into our mind. The idea that we are in a constant battle is a bit overwhelming - and yes, a bit scary.

I was brought up in a legalistic church environment where our parents and church leaders refused to talk about demons. "They are of the devil. We don't speak of them. Doing so may let them into our homes" were some of the reasons we were given. So, I never really thought about them. We just basically believed they only existed in biblical times. Boy, were we wrong.

The veritas (truth) is - there is a battle going on all around us. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan and his minons are trying to twart the plans of God and the lives of those carrying out those plans. Do you realize that trying to do something of your own strength gives evil control? Any time we think we don't need God that day, or that we "got this all under control", we are pushing God and those beings fighting for us to the back of the fight. I never really thought about it that way before. Makes you wonder what God can accomplish in your life if you just give him the controller daily, doesn't it?

So, be aware of when your day isn't going right, or something seems off. Pray up before you make any decision - important or petty - and listen for the leading of the Spirit.

Maybe, just maybe, you'll give your angels a slight break that way.

And to think, that book sat on my table for six weeks before I read it.