If We Could Just See

O brothers and sisters. If we could just see. We see what goes on around our families, communities and country. Through news agencies we see things happening around the world. That is not what I am thinking about today.

If we could only see we would live differently. We would pray differently. We would pray more fervently and persistently. We would live more soberly. We would live more intentionally. We would reprioritize. We would serve God more passionately.

We don't see. We are blind. We are lulled to sleep by the seduction of our society and evil forces. Apathy seems normal when you look around at most church people. Families drift further and further apart. Children and teenagers are seductively enticed into fantasy worlds through gaming systems. They prefer that world than to real life.

Insecure people paint make believe lives through social media. A world where everything appears picture perfect. People putting their lives on display for others to watch, to envy, and to compare their own pathetic lives to.

We don't see. We look out at manicured lawns, fashionable clothing, and new automobiles but we do not see. Not really. We see a facade. We see the nice houses but we do not see the pain and war that happens in those houses behind closed doors.

We see dirty, homeless, and strung out people. But we don't really see. Behind everyone of those people is a story. A story of heartache. Sad tales of sordid sin. Tragic stories of men and women who lost their way and now feel like they do not belong.

If we could only see. If we could only see the truth. It would shock us out of our stupor.

If we could only see. The truth is many don't want to see. They prefer the facade. They don't want to see the truth. The gritty reality of lives wrecked and ruined. They don't want to know the fairy tale lives depicted on social media are often lies. Pretense proudly displayed for the watching public. Do people really want to see behind the pictures to marriages crumbling, divorces, and bitterness. Do we want to see the sibling rivalries and the parental favoritism in families but especially blended families.

If we could only see. You may think by now you have a grasp on what I am writing about. My guess is you are wrong.

I am talking about seeing in the spiritual realm. Seeing the daily hourly war taking place between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. I am talking about seeing the spiritual war between angelic and demonic forces night and day. I am writing about seeing beyond the physical realm and the illusion that this life is all there is. I am talking about the bloody battles intercessors are fighting day and night to hold back the forces of darkness from completely destroying our families and country.

In my mind I see demons and angels fighting for souls. Once God fearing men and women are enticed and led astray into bondage by demonic influence. The temptation to just take one drink, one puff, one view, one more one night fling, one more purchase, one more post, and one more flight of fantasy. Clank. The iron jaws of Satan's bondage and destruction falls on another one. Some of these are the people we love. Family members and friends. Colleagues and clients.

Demons stand invisible to the naked eye hissing and howling in glee when another saint chooses sin over the Savior. Demons gloat when another gospel witness and message is ignored and rejected. Demons seethe sowing discord among spouses and children. Demons hound the steps of the unsuspecting night and day tempting them array while keeping others in bondage and torment with no hope for freedom.

This is a dark reality. A grim outlook. A dangerous battleground for the souls of people. While this war rages in the invisible realm millions are content to never see it, never think about it, and never engage in it. What we have is a cowardly and defenseless army of God losing more ground everyday.

If we could just see the truth. If we could just the see the schemes of Satan. If we could just see the  war for our own families I am sure we would fight back. We would not just lay down and offer no resistance. We would fight in prayer. If we could just see we would do something. Alas, we are blind, apathetic, cold hearted, and weak in our faith.

God, please open our eyes to see the truth. Please wake us up from our spiritual slumber and indifference. Please help us not cower from the fight of faith. Please help us to see the war.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
¹²  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.
¹³  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.
¹⁴  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
¹⁵  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
¹⁶  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
¹⁷  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
¹⁸  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,