We live in a reality in which not all of our thoughts are our own. We walk throughout our lives, often being unaware of a spiritual realm which is interacting with our daily reality.
Ephesians chapter 6 reads that we do not battle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers and against spiritual wickedness in high places. Although we see in the physical world, there is an unseen realm which is active, not only throughout our lives, but throughout the whole world.
There are people who live their whole lives unaware of this spiritual reality. They are tossed around being led by impulsive thoughts and feelings that manipulate them throughout each and every day of their lives. A thought enters their head, and they act upon it, not realizing that the thought may not have even been their own, but an arrow hurled from the spiritual forces mentioned in Ephesians.
This is why we are commanded in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” We are told to be aware and prayerful of even our own thoughts.
The world calls these intrusive thoughts, brought on by our own subconscious. Some certainly are, but some are brought on by the principalities of darkness.
The good news is that God, for those our who are his, gives us the Holy Spirit in which we can discern and test our thoughts and the power to “brings them into the obedience of Christ.” We are not in a solo battle, but we have the resources of all of heaven, walking beside us, and the holy spirit working though us in a war that we are in, whether we choose to be or not. In this war, there are no conscientious objectors.
If you do not know Christ, or do not believe in him, you are not excluded from the battle. Disbelief doesn’t exclude you from the draft, but it may send you in the battle with no armor, and no protection.
The good news is that Christ didn’t come into this world for the healthy. He didn’t come into this world those who have it figured out. He didn’t come into the world for those who are without sin. He came into this world for the riff raff like you and I. He came for those who are broken. Jesus came into this world for the sick. He was crucified, buried and three days later, arose from the dead to be the propitiation for our sins.
He knew the mistakes you were going to make. He knew your brokenness and the darkness that you and I would choose to dwell in. He had this on his mind when he willingly went to the cross to break the chains of darkness and to take the punishment of our sins upon himself.
There is a story in John chapter 8 where the Pharisees and Scribes dragged a women before Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery. They asked him, “The law of Moses commands us that she should be stoned to death. What do you say?”
Jesus responded, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
The women’s accusers were filled with their own shame and left. Jesus asks her “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? Well neither do I.”
We are the adulterers. You, and I. To come to the feet of Jesus at the cross, we are not required to clean up our lives first. You go to the doctor to cure a sickness. You don’t go to the doctor after you have been healed. Jesus is the cosmic doctor. Healing is waiting for you at the cross.
We are in a battle, whether you believe or not. So come to the foot of the cross and take up God’s armor.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6:10-13
Rogue Journal 