“I constantly say these same words to myself as a reminder as satan is constantly trying to create separation and chaos.”
Our pastor has been doing a sermon series on Jonah. He reminded us of the verse:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness in this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Jonah hated the people of Nineveh because they were so wicked. But God had different plans for them. And our pastor said how we should not view people that disagree with us - even our enemies - as the ones that are evil - but that it is Satan. (And of course Satan playing on our weaknesses as well.)
Our battle is not with our boss, our spouse, the other political party, etc. It is with Satan. That doesn’t mean we put up with the wickedness, but we need to remember who we are really fighting.
Always good to be reminded from time to time about who is behind the curtain.
When I feel a negative thought or dark spirit in or near me, my immediate mantra is “I take refuge in Jesus.” It works.