Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Battle Is On


Do you ever just sometimes want to look the Enemy in the eyes and scream, "LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"  Sometimes I just get this overwhelming urge to do that.  Doesn't it just seem like a perpetual battle?  Oh wait.  It is a perpetual battle.  

I guess that's why God speaks to us in Ephesians 6 about gearing up with His special (and very effective) armor.  
I guess that's why He promised us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no temptation will be greater than we can handle and that He will always provide a way out.  
I guess that's why over and over in the Bible we are commanded to FEAR NOT.  
And I guess that's why we are given a glimpse of the glorious victory to come. 

I firmly believe in spiritual warfare, and I suppose in a way I'm thankful (for major lack of a better word) for it because I don't believe that the enemy would care to fool with someone who is apathetic or is already doing his bidding.  Still, it's a struggle every single day.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  Getting hit on the blindside.  And it can come in such sneaky ways--so how do we deal with it?  

For one thing, we claim the beautiful promises of God.  John 16:33 says, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world."  1 John 4:4, "Greater in He that is in me than he who is in the world."  

Another way is to be sure that we are recognizing the lies from the truth.  I believe that one of the greatest tools of the enemy is weaving lies into things that we perceive as truth.  We know we are believing his lies when we have certain negative thoughts (about ourselves or others), prideful thoughts, jealousy, bitterness, and when we rely too heavily on our emotions.  We recognize these lies by saturating ourselves with the TRUTH of the Word, claiming those precious promises, and then of course, through prayer.  We have so much to cling to when it comes to spiritual warfare!  Just remember, however, that even though a battle may be won, there can still be wounds from the fight--and sometimes the scars may remain until eternity.  But through the tears, through the pain, remember that your God is on your side.  He will never forsake you, and He does not condemn you!  Any condemnation you feel is from the wrong side (Romans 8:1).  God wants you to have the victory, and thankfully, He promises to lead you there.  Now I just feel like screaming "THANK YOU GOD!!!"

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Yes i want to scream that to the enemy, but usually don't recognize that it is him until i have screamed(so to speak)at others or myself,etc. I want to become so much more stronger in the Word of God, trusting God more and allowing Him to give me the victories in my life in His timing and ways. I usually get mad at God for allowing us to have an enemy. I just need to get over it and allow Him to help me. Trust and Obey. I love how you end this blog with "THANK YOU GOD". Thank you for using the sword of the spirit in this one as well. Wonderful reminders again of God's unfailing love for us.