April 3, 2026

LOOK PAST THE PERSON

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

As Paul draws his letter to a close, he delivers a wake-up call. If you are going to be victorious in life you must know who you are fighting.

1. The Reality: Conflict is Constant

Early on in my journey, I thought that if I just got all the sin out of my life and lived perfectly, my problems would vanish. I assumed everyone would love me and I’d be perpetually favored by God and man.

The truth? On this side of eternity, we will always be in a battle. Whether it’s financial stress, health struggles, or relationship tension, Jesus promised us: "In this world, you will have trouble." Following Jesus isn't a vacation from conflict; it’s an enlistment into a cause.

2. The Revelation: People Are Not the Problem

This is the hardest shift to make. When someone hurts us, our instinct is to "fix" or "fight" the person. But Paul pulls back the curtain on the "unseen world."

We aren't fighting a political party, a difficult neighbor, or a demanding boss. We are fighting a hierarchy of spiritual forces. Whether or not we fully understand the "evil rulers" Paul describes, the point is clear: People are not your problem, they are often just pawns. Many people are blinded to the forces controlling them, using "biblical sounding" phrases to mask a nature of pride or bitterness. If you spend all your energy fighting the "flesh and blood" in front of you, you will be too exhausted to fight the "evil spirits" behind the scenes.

3. The Strategy: Don't Go Out Undressed

You wouldn't head into a physical war zone in your pajamas. Yet, many of us head into our Mondays without any spiritual protection. Tomorrow, we begin looking at the Armor of God. But before we put it on, we must accept the reality of the war. You cannot win a battle you refuse to acknowledge.

The "War Room" Audit

Think about the person or situation that is causing you the most stress right now.

• The Question: Am I treating this person as my enemy, or am I seeing the spiritual "mighty powers" trying to use this situation to steal my peace?

• The Move: Stop fighting the person. Make the shift from complaining about them to praying against the spiritual forces influencing them.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, give me the discernment to see the true forces I am fighting. Forgive me for the times I’ve attacked people instead of praying against the darkness. I recognize that I cannot win these battles with my own intellect or resources. Teach me how to stand firm in Your power today. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”