Our Fight Isn't With People and the Spiritual Battle is Already Won!

There are many places in the world where the spiritual darkness of humanity separated from God has been clearly displayed for generations. Here in the United States, we have largely managed to keep the direct opposition hidden; societal niceties, the luxury of enough wealth to keep up appearances, and a national structure that long at least acknowledged a Divine held things in check.

That façade is cracking, though. For decades, whispers of evil practices have circulated. As the days have passed, more and more of the hidden evil is being exposed and, in many cases, embraced.

How do we not despair? How do we overcome evil with good? As we always have: by employing the spiritual weapons of our warfare. The blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony.

I recently recounted a specific story of our testimony to friends and feel that it is appropriate to share it with you. May its telling embolden you and give you courage to walk into the dark places where God calls you to bring His light. He is with you. Even when you stumble into those dark places unwittingly.

The year was 1991. Dan and I had been married scant months and were living in El Paso, TX. The church we attended had purchased a cabin in Glorieta, New Mexico for retreats and such. Because it was wholly owned by the church, it was available for rental to church membership for a ridiculously low cost.

During the Fall, a 4-day weekend came up unexpectedly, and Dan and I rented the cabin. Loading up our 20lb cat, Dinky, and ourselves, we struck out toward New Mexico. This was in the days before cell phones and online web searches for area attractions, so along the way we thumbed through the AAA Guidebook for the area.

In one little town, we found a listing for an old mine and museum that looked interesting. Adding it to our itinerary of old ruins and interesting archaeological sites, we planned to check it out the next day.

There we were, late the following morning, enjoying breathtaking scenery new to us Florida kids. Weaving up through the mountains, we entered the little town, noting with a smile the picturesque little white clapboard church settled in the valley across the river from the Little League field.

Oh! Look at that beautifully painted mural! Wait…is that…an angel? With serpents twisted around its wings? Struggling as they anchor themselves to the landscape at the bottom of the scene and attempt to drag his luminescent body downward?

A little further into town, a shop with a huge purple pentagram painted on it.

Our Bible perched on the back shelf of our little hatchback, we paused for a moment to consider if we should bypass the museum. “NO!” We defiantly concluded, arrogant in our faith. “We walk in the power and authority of Jesus Christ! We’re not going to surrender our plans just because some people here clearly embrace evil.”

Arriving at the museum, pulling into the parking lot, we noticed an empty little restaurant across the street with picnic tables scattered about. Nice! A possible lunch spot after the museum! Until the residents of the house next to our parking lot began streaming out of the 2-story dwelling with massive, unsettlingly watchful eyes painted on either side of the attic window. Across the street they headed, looking at us and occupying every picnic table. There was no doubt that we were the object of their attention.

Did we reconsider and get back into our car? NO! Let the demons be put on notice that we aren’t afraid!

Heading up the stairs to the museum entrance, we breathed a prayer and stretched our hand out to open the door. Plastered to the door was a community flyer announcing the date and time of the Chaos Magic demonstration at the Little League field. Right across the river from that pretty little church. Pausing again, a quick glance at one another, a setting of the shoulders, a defiant uptick of the chin, and in we went. The enemy may have claimed this town with its consent, but he wasn’t gonna ruin our day out!

We thoroughly enjoyed perusing the museum’s railroad and mining history. We prayed often, as the spiritual climate was tangible. We finished our tour at our own pace, returned to our car, and watched in the rearview mirror as every person who had come out of the house returned to it as we drove away.

Y’all. It was not wisdom. Picking a fight with the enemy unnecessarily isn’t a thing I’d recommend. Yet, in our youth and arrogance, God protected. We literally stumbled upon the spiritual enemy’s encampment and came away unscathed. More amazing to me is that, in the spiritual, it was clear that the enemy knew who we were because of Who came with us. We were watched. We were taken note of. Little 20- and 19-year-old us. We weren’t messed with because the Spirit with us restrained the enemy on our behalf.

Many times over the years, we have looked at that day and found new lessons. His ever-Presence. His protection in our ignorance. His absolute authority. The clear demarcation of His followers to the enemy. The reality that battle will not be engaged unless He allows it and has gone before to make a way for you to endure it (we thought so much of our faith at the time, but we were NOT ready for battle of that magnitude; so He said "not now" and the demons listened).

As the darkness in our immediate surroundings becomes more tangible and open, let us not forget Who walks with us. In us. And through us to our communities. He has already claimed the victory.