Family Division - Fighting the Right Battle

The sooner we realize that family division is spiritual warfare, the better. If you’re not aware, listen up. Because, oh, yes, this is a battle.

People – all people – have an enemy. Christ followers do not enter the battle alone.

This enemy hates people with a malevolent, relentless purpose. It’s hard for most people, at least in the western world, to wrap our minds around this kind of hatred. It’s not

exaggeration. It’s not hyperbole. And we had better be aware of what we are up against.

Why does our enemy hate people? Very simply, it’s because God loves people.

His plan is clearly written in John 10:10 – “The thief’s (the enemy’s) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy."

What does he want to steal? Fill in the blank – peace, love, security, closeness to God, and we can add, an intact family. What does he want to kill? Health, relationships, beauty, truth. And destroy? Yes. All of the above.

1 Peter 5:8&9 – “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith…”

Sounds intimidating, and it is, especially if we don’t know what it means to belong to Jesus, with the Almighty God as our Father, Jesus as our Savior and Advocate, and the powerful Holy Spirit as our – wow – Counselor, Helper, and much more. See also John chapters 14 and 16 for some more information about Him.

Read and study Ephesians 6:10-18, noticing especially verses 10-12: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

When we take our situations to God in prayer, remember that this is indeed a spiritual battle, engaged in the mighty power of God. You are not only in a battle with your child, but with that which has influenced him or her. It involves all the cultural, academic, social media, therapist, and many other influences that the world holds.

Of course, this is but a brief overview of spiritual warfare. Many heavy books have been written on the topic. My goal here is to help you understand that the estrangement you are experiencing involves more than your familial relationships

It might be encouraging to look up a song by Brian Johnson and Philip David Wick

ham:

Battle Belongs

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory

When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved

And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me

For there is nothing to fear now, for I am safe with You

So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees With my hands lifted high

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And every fear I lay at Your feet I'll sing through the night

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me, who can be against me

For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You

When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty (You see the beauty)

When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb

Almighty fortress, You go before us

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

You shine in the shadow, You win every battle

Nothing can stand against the power of our God