Subtle Opposition

The Israelites faced immediate opposition when they laid the foundation of the temple. It was immediate and it was ongoing throughout the construction of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. Opposition is inevitable. But often opposition comes in our lives in such subtle ways. We often don’t see it as opposition.

Oppose means to offer resistance to – to get in the way.

Opposition will always exist when we follow Jesus. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 that

. . . our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We in the Reformed tradition don’t often spend time talking about spiritual warfare or even acknowledging the powers of darkness. But they are real and they are seeking to oppose your pursuit of Jesus Christ. They will do anything they can to keep you off track and focused on anything else.

And often they are very subtle yet very effective. Here are a few examples of subtle opposition.

- You are “drawn” to the TV to be entertained and distracted from what is really important in life.
- Your alarm goes off so you can get up and pray, but your mind tells you to get your sleep instead.
- Your marriage is struggling and you dwell on the faults of the other person. “It’s his/her fault.”
- You make the purchase of something you don’t need because your desire is so strong.
- You judge others to avoid honestly assessing yourself.
- You don’t join a small group or are unwilling to meet new people because you are uncomfortable.
- You lie because it’s easier to tell the truth.
- You exaggerate because you care too much about what other’s think.
- You don’t pray because you haven’t prayed.
- You don’t invite a friend or co-worker to church or over to your house because you care more about what they might think of you than you do about their place with God.

Think for a moment about the power behind your desires/wants. Think about the control they so often have in your life. The force and power are real. They impact you in significant ways. Who or what is behind them? Why do they hold so much power over you? (The easy answer is they tell us to do what we want to do.)

That’s why the text in Ephesians continues with important words of encouragement. The battle is real. Our enemy is strong and crafty. The darkness knows your weaknesses and will do everything it can to keep you from following God.

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:13-18

The attacks of the darkness often come from the back. They come in unexpected places and in subtle ways. But know they are attacks. They seek to keep you distracted, complacent, and self-focused.

Stand firm on the foundation and power of Jesus Christ. There is no darkness in Him.