Summoned: Stepping Up to Live and Lead With JesusMuestra

Fighting Back

Legolas was right when he said to Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings), “A force is set against us.” In this life, where the kingdom that Jesus announced has come in part but not in full, our lives are opposed. We’ll have to fight for the good that we want.

Want to see a stronger marriage? Healthier communication? Life-giving leadership? Harmony, joy, peace, reconciliation? A full heart? Justice? We’ll have to fight for them.

What gets in the way? According to St. Paul (Ephesians 2:1-3), sinful human nature (the flesh). Institutional and ideological forms of evil and oppression (the world). The accuser of the people of God (the devil).

What to do to fight? I once heard someone say, “Crucify the flesh; resist the devil; overcome the world by the renewing of your mind.”