God has constructed reality in a certain way. When we understand how he has done so, we will be better equipped to navigate life successfully.

Consider the following four categories. 

Category 1 is God. He is above all. Nothing or no one else is like him.

Category 2 is heavenly beings. This includes angels (who are good) and demons or ‘unclean spirits’ (who are bad).

Category 3 is humans. That’s us. We have free will and are made in God’s own image.

Category 4 is creatures. They are alive but not made in God’s image.

Many people put a mental line between categories 2 and 3. In other words, they think of God and heavenly beings as exclusively ‘up there’ and humans and creatures as ‘down here.’ But the line is not a barrier which cannot be crossed. The line is porous. Heavenly beings—both good and bad—can interact with us here on earth in our day-to-day lives. (More on what they tend to do tomorrow.)

This is a reminder that you need to put on spiritual armour and stand in the truth of Jesus. There are beautiful and glorious things in our world, but there are also dark and dangerous things. We want to celebrate and be a part of the good things, but we also want to defend and guard against the bad things.

Imagine playing a football game with professional athletes. They intend to take you down. Would you stroll onto the field without training or equipment? Not if you want to survive! 

Paul summarizes his approach in Romans 13:12: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Pray, learn from (and stand firm in) God’s Word, worship, love your neighbours, use your spiritual gifts, and resist the Devil.

Let’s live with both eyes open and put on the armour of light.

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Notes and extra content:

–“Never Outnumbered.” Sermon. Click here. July 14, 2024
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.