Fighting the Wrong War

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  

(Ephesians 6:12)

It has just occurred to me that we are fighting the wrong war.  We are spinning our wheels, fighting the symptoms rather than the disease.  What happens when you have an infection, but only treat the fever?  The infection gets stronger, because the fever was not the problem, only a symptom.  In fact, fevers are part of your body's defense against infections.  In defeating the symptom, you gave more power to the disease.

We have a war on drugs, a war on cancer, a war on aids, and a war on terrorism.  I am sure there are more wars going on, but these are the ones that come to mind immediately.  But what if all of these wars are not fighting the disease, but only the outward symptoms?  Or in the case of drugs and terrorism, the misapplied cures? 

As Paul said to the church in Ephesus, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood."  Terrorists are flesh and blood, as are drug dealers.  Cancer and aids are part of our flesh and blood.  But they are not the enemy.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8  NASB).

We would do better to fight the real enemy here.  Not the symptoms.  

We are fighting against "spiritual wickedness in high places."  And we can't fight spirit with flesh.  The battle is in the spiritual realm.  We have to fight spiritual battles. 

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

(Jude 1:17-25)

 Our job is first of all to pray.  And then to have compassion and relieve what suffering we can.  To save those we can, and to keep ourselves in the love of God.   If we do this, we may just win the right war.