Scripture

1 John 5:4-5 (New Living Translation)

Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Consider

When trouble comes at us through a relationship, it helps to remember that we are part of an ongoing spiritual battle. Satan is at war with God, and part of his strategy to defeat God is to hurt his children.

The pain we suffer in human conflict may drive us away from God, or it can lead us closer if we ask, What is the evil in this situation that I need God to help me overcome?

• Am I being threatened with harm?
• Do I feel tempted to sin?
• Is my faith as a follower of Christ being shaken?
• Am I falling prey to self-doubt or to guilt and remorse over things I have done?
• Are my flaws and fears being exploited?

We cannot escape this great spiritual battle, but our faith and trust in God can help us to deal with it. The Spirit can teach us how to identify and oppose the evil in a conflict without our hating and opposing the other person, whom God dearly loves and for whom Jesus died.

Our Savior assures us that he has overcome every evil that we face in this world. Moreover, he promises that we, too, can defeat evil if we put our hope and trust in him.

Pray

FATHER, I have been shocked and hurt by the evil that has come at me through my relationships. Give me faith to stand strong in your work of salvation on the cross, where you defeated all that assaults me now. I ask for wisdom to see my true adversary in Satan and not in other humans who, like me, are susceptible to being used for evil purposes. Thank you that evil will not have the last word in my life as I daily choose to follow you.

Reflect

John 16:33;  1 John 4:4

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What weakness in you is Satan most likely to exploit through human conflict?