Happy Friday church family!

With the end of October looming, I’ve been thinking about the Trojan War. Yes, I love history, but that’s not why. I have been thinking rather about the battle strategy that was used, and how it continues to be employed these days. But the war that we are in currently is not physical, but spiritual. Throughout the New Testament, and Paul’s letters in particular, he emphasizes that we do not battle with fellow man, but we wrestle with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. And that is why our weapons are also spiritual – prayer and the Word.

But the devil and his minions do not typically make a frontal attack, because they know how ineffective they are against prayer, against the Word, and against the Spirit. Resist the devil (James says in 4:7) and he will flee from you. So instead, he is tricksy and looks for ways to sneak in – an unprotected window or door. Or – using a Trojan Horse. If you know the story, the Greeks fought for 10 years to break down the city of Troy, their enemy. But they could not break through the defenses. So they set up a ruse. They pretended to give up and go home, and left a large statue of a horse in front of Troy’s gates as if a parting concession in their defeat. Troy took the bait, brought in this horse statue no knowing that inside of it was an elite group of Greek warriors who waited until nightfall, and then snuck out and opened the gates from the inside to let the swarming Greek warriors in, and Troy fell in a mighty way.

While we walk through this life, we need to be spiritually wise and on guard against the ruses of the enemy. And this is the time of year that many spiritually dangerous things are hidden in plain sight, disguised as cute costumes, scary movies, kids games and shows. Now, I am NOT saying we need to totally abstain from any and all Halloween-related activities. Our family has typically participated in trick or treating and whatnot over the years ourselves. What I AM saying is – be wise – and ensure your defenses are up (Ephesians 6 gives a good list for your spiritual defenses), cover your families and especially children in prayer, and ask the Lord to make clear any Trojan Horses you need to leave outside the walls of your home!

And a final note on this – I find no place in scripture that tells you to fear the enemy. Respect his strategy and acknowledge his desires – sure – he prowls like a lion looking for someone to devour. But He that is in you is SO far greater than any enemy, spiritual or otherwise! Let Him be your guide and fortress.

-- In faith, Pastor Eric

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 ESV