At War

It has come to my attention that we are at war. I'm not talking about the one going on in the Middle East; I am referring to the one that has been raging for centuries and has taken its toll on millions of lives. This war is far greater than any war we can see with our eyes, and the weapons of this war are far more personal and cut more deeply than anything man could dream up. The consequences of this war are more devastating than death. This battle we are fighting goes beyond death. It is a war of eternal proportions, and too many have discovered this too late.

This war is described very clearly. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, and against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evul comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)


This is the war I'm talking about. Followers of Jesus Christ have intentionally engaged themselves in a battle to oppose the works of the devil, and his weapons of hate, bitterness, jealousy, anger, gossip, discouragement, depression, filthy language, lies, and greed. The weapons Christ's followers have been given are not the ones the enemy uses. As a Christian, I have been given something much stronger and more powerful - God's Word.


"The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account." (Hebrews 4:12)


If I tried to fight the schemes of Satan with his own tools, I would fail. God has given me everything I need and more to cling to what is good and overcome the evil that tries to drag me away from my Lord. Nothing is more important than clinging to God in this midst of this battle! He is my refuge and my strength, and an ever present help in trouble! (Psalm 46:1). I am to prepare myself to live for Christ in this constant struggle. I must bring every part of my life into the light of God's truth, in order to be prepared to stand firm. This includes all that I say, do, and even the thoughts I think.


"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)