As we travel through enemy territory here in the valley of the shadow of death, we can remember that the Lord Jesus has subdued our enemy so that we can drive him out quickly.
Perhaps this is what James had in mind in James 4:7 when he wrote, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (NASB 2020)
Rather, we struggle against unseen powers, rulers of the darkness—the valley of the shadow of death—the world and its earthy (fleshly) systems and ways of operating. We struggle against spiritual forces of wickedness that are not of this world. The devil and his minions.
You may be familiar with the record of a tiny shepherd boy named David defeating an enormous and fearsome giant named Goliath. As we read in 1 Samuel 17, David did not come to the fight in his own strength. He carried no usual weapons of war. Instead, he had the weapon of a boy. Just a slingshot against an enemy so great that the entire Hebrew army was afraid to fight him.
The Accuser When we get the idea that we don’t measure up, we’re failing at bearing fruit, or maybe even that we might not be saved, we are miserable. That comes from our enemy, the accuser. He wants us to be confused, ashamed, guilty, and fearful. He knows that two things he loves will result…
