When someone hurt us, we normally want to kick that person off. It may also be tough for us to forgive that someone.

Perhaps after reading this today's devotional entitled "Who is your real enemy?" will change your perspective knowing that the people around you is not your real enemy.

There is someone behind them that wants to ruin your relationships. Find who is he.

Today's Scripture:

Acts 7:59-60, NLT

"As they stoned him, Stephen prayed,

'Lord Jesus, received my spirit.'

He fell to his knees shouting,

'Lord don't charge them with this sin!"

And with that he died."

Observation:

When you are in a conflict, you need to find the source of it. It's not the other people.

The pressure you feel to stand up where you should be quiet so that conflict will not stir up is not coming from other people. It's really coming from Satan.

That's the reason behind why Stephen said after being ridiculed and stoned is, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!"

Do you want to know the truth why Stephen said that? I'll pray that God will open your eyes and mind while continue reading this.

There is unseen spiritual battle going on all around you. The pressure to fight back is one of the weapons of the enemy. You might not be aware that Satan is already using you.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

"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."

There is spiritual battle around us! This battle is different from the previous World Wars we encountered. Satan has different tactics. He uses the people around us. That's why it is called "spiritual" because you cannot seen it but you can feel it from the happenings around you.

Satan knows that it is foolish to attack Jesus directly because he knows he cannot win over it. So instead he attacks those who follow Him. Satan is the voice behind us that stirring us to fight and insult others.

So, if you don't have Jesus Christ in your heart, then you have no defense against Satan. He can master your moods. He can lead you into depression. He can make you angry.

Yes, while reading this you might think you are strong enough to fight this unseen spiritual battle. But the truth is, you are not strong enough to fight Satan's attack on your own. You'll always find yourself being on Satan's yoke of sin.

Application:

Remember what I said before? Find the source of conflict. Do not look unto the person who are opposing you, look behind them.

So, you need to treat that opposition the way Jesus did.

How did Jesus treat those who opposed them?

Even on the cross He said,

Luke 23:34 (NIV)

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

The person who attack you do not know what they are doing.

The person who insult you when you are serving God don't know what they are doing.

So you have to pray for them.

We must give people what they need, not what they deserve.

You've got to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning the argument.

Why we should do it?

So you can show love while under attack and you'll have more energy to fight the real enemy.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Please forgive me for listening Satan lies behind my back. Help me to forgive the people who mistreated me. I know it's hard to forget the pain but I know that your love can take every heartaches away. Thank you for even though I am a great sinner you still forgive if I ask to. Help me to grow in faith and please help me to have the strength to stand firm in the midst of unseen spiritual battle. Help us to guard our hearts, minds, and tongues from any evil influences by meditating your Word day and night. We give you all the praises! In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Declaration:

I declare discernment from any unseen spiritual battle we are facing everyday. So that, Satan cannot deceive us with his tactics. I declare victory upon victory knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ has won over the greatest battle of all--- death. In Jesus' Name, we received it. Amen.

Let us talk it over:

If Satan is behind wrong people's action, why are they still accountable by God for what they do?

I am glad to hear about it in the comment section below. (English and Tagalog are accepted)