War…It is real. It is here. You and I are IN it. ‘This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels.’ (Eph. 6:12 The Message)
‘Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.’ (Eph. 6:13 The Message)
Are you prepared? Do you make it your business to stay prepared? The enemy has no shame, he will surely notice if you are not…and he will take advantage of the opportunity. He will attack when you are most vulnerable. There is no honor found in him. He ‘prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’…so ‘be self-controlled and alert’ (1 Peter 5:8)
The natural response to the awareness of danger is to seek protection. We will never succeed in protecting ourSELF from this enemy. He has the upper-hand, he won it in The Garden incident. It’s that curse. Death…and we can’t defeat death, remember? I have been saved from that curse…but the war goes on. The attacks still come. Daily. And I need protection. ‘Give me aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.’ (Ps.60:11)
There are many battlefields. The frustration and anger that shows up in the workplace. The behavior we display when a neighbor annoys us. The addictions that hold us captive. The attitudes of disrespect and dishonor to other people. The self-righteousness and pride in our hearts. Dishonesty. Gossip. Neglect. Putting ANY thing or ANY one above God. There is no place, no moment…that we are not standing on a battle ground.
Are you fighting? Or are you surrendered?
I want to fight. I have protection, and I have One weapon. ‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….take up the Sword of the Spirit..’ (Eph. 6:11,17)
Get your Sword, and let’s look at this armor a little closer….
