It’s Time to Stop Wrestling With the Spirit of Hostility

It’s time to stop wrestling with the spirit of hostility. It’s time to stop engaging in battle with a force over which you have the victory.

There are some things in your life, your church, your community and this nation that will only begin to improve when you make the decision to live like an overcomer instead of like the world’s sparring partner.

Now, don’t get me wrong: That struggle is real. We live in a world under a curse, and persecution—from seen and unseen forces—is a given. Hostility is one of the symptoms of this battle, and it’s bound to show up at your doorstep.

In America, we can see its effects everywhere we look: on the news, in the print media, on sitcoms, on social media and online. All it takes is a quick read through the comments section of one vaguely political Facebook post, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. We are living in a time of almost unprecedented, flagrant hatred. It takes energy and intentionality not to be swept up in it or drowned even in our attempt to swim away from it.

But your resolve will lead to reward. The Word of God is a book of victory. The reality of that victory does not only appear in the end; rather, it is a continuous truth that saturates almost every page of the Scriptures. Christ’s earthly walk modeled what it looks like to wrestle against the destructive forces of the enemy and still walk in victory always. Jesus faced hostile persecution, rejection and emotional and physical pain, just as we do, and He did so without giving up or giving in to sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (emphasis added) reminds us, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.” He knew the only way to get through His challenging times was to stay connected to the heavenly Father, His source of strength. He walked “not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1), and He fed His Spirit as intentionally as He fed His body, because His very purpose depended on it.

If this practice sustained Him, how much more will it work for us? Jesus said in John 16:33b, “But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” We need only to do what He did: stand fast in victory and make the commitment to prioritize times of supernatural refreshing. These times of renewal in the Holy Spirit are key to walking in His victory.

Struggle is one thing. Defeat is something entirely different. We all go through trials and tribulation in life, but the Bible paints the picture of a believer as a winner, a conqueror and an overcomer. That’s you, whether you feel like it or not, whether it’s your current reality or not. When you lay claim to the victory Christ secured for you and step out in Spirit-empowered purpose, the forces of darkness and hostile, tormenting spirits will flee, and the victorious, unshakable, living kingdom of God will be glorified.

You’re beautiful. I see Jesus in you.

Have a great week!