Monday, September 7, 2020

Weapons...Battle

A few questions:  You do realize you ARE in a battle - yes? Do you know your enemy? Do you feel equipped? Do you believe 'you win'? There are other questions, but these are essential ones. A few answers: 

   "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only 
    with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the 
    powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, 
    against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly 
    (supernatural) places." (Ephesians 6:12, AMP)

Enemy defined: rulers, powers, world forces, spiritual forces of wickedness and this is NOT against flesh and blood.

   "Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid 
    armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to 
    [successfully] stand up against ALL the schemes and the 
    strategies and the deceits of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11, AMP - but do read 10-17)
  
Equipped: wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist, breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), on your feet the gospel of peace, above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Well equipped, nothing missing.

   "And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the 
    Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not 
    love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death" 
    (Revelations 12:11, AMP)  

We win: because of the Lamb's blood, our testimony, and not renouncing faith. I would also add remembering the reason Jesus came in the first place (John 10:10) - abundant life.

'Win' really needs defining. It's never lording it over someone else. But we also can't compromise, we must be strong in who we are and whose we are. Since we have the truth, we should confidently share to encourage someone else to make Jesus their Lord. That's a win.

   "The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and 
    blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of 
    fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every 
    exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] 
    knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose 
    captive to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:4-5. AMP)

Obviously, we are engaged in a battle... daily, even when we aren't aware. But we are equipped and not ignorant of our enemy. He is defeated. Enemy defined and sorted out (1 Peter 5:8). He may try and act like a lion but he's already chained. Remember what James 4:7 says - resist. We can choose to resist. We don't need to succumb to his machinations. Remember Ephesians 6:10 (AMP)

   "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him 
    and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power 
    of His [boundless] might."
 

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