The mistake we can make in this text is to see it as some kind of individualized way to attack the devil or the evil in the world. For Paul, the cosmos is shot full of evil in every realm-personal, political, and demonic. Paul is actually referring, in part, to the ‘realm’ of Caesar. There is evil in the world that goes beyond us-evil that is human inspired but beyond us. Interestingly, when he speaks of ‘ the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.’ He is not just talking about the demonic realm. Now he speaks of that which is evil without. Most of his book has been about renouncing that which is evil within us. Paul has followed our baptismal covenant well. Paul invites us to a different kind of outlook. The problem we have as political creatures is to see one candidate or party as evil and the other as not. While my kids watch the commercials, they ask, ‘is it true?’ Because everything you hear on TV is true, right? Says one, Obama will drive the bus that runs over gramma says another. All of the Facebook aficionados in the congregation no doubt see where all of our ‘friends’ are politically because it can get pretty venomous. I mentioned a few weeks ago the difficulty we have in moral discourse. Is there anything worse than poitical ads, commercials and phone calls during an election year? Every time a commercial comes on, my kids give a collective ‘ugh.’ Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The reasoning behind the House GOP's many, many investigations that are starting now? It's all about taking down the president and nothing more ( vox.Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. I'm too old to drink the brown liquor anymore, but I sure do miss it ( ) » (37 comments) The 15 Best Single Malt Scotch Brands to Drink Right Now. Watch a man get emotional about Wally the Cuddly Alligator who really likes playing in the pool with kids ( ) » (5 comments) Whose Fans Are They Anyway? ( ) » (6 comments) Magic Mike 3: The Search for Spock gets $10 million stuffed in its g-string as Avatar: Waterworld is #2 with $7.1 million, and the masturbatory geriatric 80 for Brady is #3 with $6.3 million, edging out the unwanted Titanic re-release's $6 million ( ) » (1 comment) Hacker hacks the Bing AI by instructing it to hack itself ( ) » (10 comments) Gee, it's almost as if no one wants to watch cable news anymore ( ) » (28 comments) Will Citeh's financial turmoil carry down to the pitch? On USA ( ) » (84 comments) A rematch from Wednesday's draw, who can improve? 11:30 Man. Sunday Premier League starts off at 9:00 am ET with Leeds hosting Man. Whether you call it a stadium anthem, a jock jam, or it was just something you loved to play in marching band, we're looking for the best sports-related songs of all time this week in the Sunday Morning Music Club ( ) » (164 comments) ![]() Doug nowhere to be seen ( ) » (21 comments)
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