A tale of two brothers.....

   As is common in my experience, I will take on a teaching tone in my head and a story or experience will pop into my head. I realize God is teaching me something. Tonight was one of those, aha! moments for me. I was remembering an incident with two brothers when I realized the purpose for the incident occuring as it did. These two men never focused on me for any reason, so I was surprised when they addressed me. The question asked was odd as well considering every other interaction I have seen of them. Keep in mind they are both over 30 years old. My response surprised me as well because I am normally quiet and non-violent, shy and insecure of myself.
   In a garage one evening, the brothers were up to their usual antics. Older brother would tell younger to go up behind and hit the scrotum of a guy bent over working on an engine. Younger brother would, the victim would tussle with him and for the rest of the night eye the younger with suspicion. Older brother would tell younger to go mess with another. He would and it would go the same way: tussling and eyeing with suspicion. No one got ansy around the older brother, though. This was normal daily activity in this clan. I thought often I should video tape them and send it in to America's Funniest Home Videos. These men all always walked around with hands covering their private areas protectively, hitting eachother there in every imaginable way, and squirming or tussling, They were all always jumpy around oneanother.
   After a couple incidents that particular evening, the older brother looked at me and asked what I would do if he told the younger one to come hurt me. "I would come hit you", I replied. No one expected to hear that, I could tell from their reactions. "Why?", older brother asked. Made perfect sense to me. They really didn't understand. I didn't bother to explain. But the moment I remembered him asking and my reply, the lesson came to me:
    We are to fight the "spirits of the air", not people. I am not here to convince anyone of my beliefs. I write here to share with those led to it and because it serves me. I have been encouraged to write by people before, they find my dealings with life's events inspiring so I continue when I can.
    But, we are told in scripturethat we are at war with the "spirits of the air". They are the older brothers in the experience serving as illustration in tonight's lesson. The people around us are simply the younger. If I want to fight back, I am to hit the older brother where it hurts him. I've got my grit back ;) This is also why we are admonished in christian scripture not to argue doctrine within the congregations. In Revelation, in speaking to the congregation, the angel tells us to listen to and learn from what is said to all the congregations. We are told of one receiving discipline, "but I know who among you is faithful". God knows where our minds and hearts are no matter who we're asked to associate with. He knows each person's doctrines and how they practice them.
    How do I fight the "spirits of the air"? With my mind. Knowing my thinking process, leading it down the right road. Showing trust not fear. Not judging people, they are just tools. Existing always in prayer and prayerful meditation. Older brothers are a pain in the bottom. They get you as you begin to awake, nevermind the moment  you wake up. They start playing that tape when they sense your consciousness coming close to Earth, back into your body. But, get your focus in the right place as soon as possible, spirit comes in with you and you're great the rest of the day. Just show love to the people. By heaping love on people, you heap coals upon the head of the older brothers out there.