I struggle.  You struggle, we all struggle.  If only my husband/wife loved me, if only my boss wasn’t such a jerk, if only our neighbors would think of somebody besides themselves, if only that guy hadn’t cut me off in traffic, my kids, my parents, etc., etc.  The world would be a great place if it wasn’t for all of these stupid people.  Stupid liberals, stupid conservatives, and don’t get me started on other countries……

You know what all of the above struggles have in common?  Flesh.  They are material, physical, corporeal, carnal.

The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:12:

^““For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

What? It isn’t “them”? How can it not be, it is so obvious.  It has got to be them, because if it isn’t then it has to be……..me?

Our struggle is not against people. It is not your mate, your boss, your neighbors, that jerk in the other car, your kids, or your parents. It is against our learned responses, our prejudices, our habits; it is a lack of regard and concern for our spirit. It is our spirit that needs strengthening, fortifying, stimulating.  How?  Paul continues in Ephesians:

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

The Bible teaches that if you are struggling, and struggling hard, you are not putting on the full armor of God.  Read the Bible, memorize key verses, pray, go to church and fellowship with like-minded believers.  It is an easy prescription and the medicine you take can save your spiritual life.