December 13, 2021 – Click here to listen
Smash and grab robberies, racism, soaring inflation, open borders, murder rate at an all-time high, China threatening Taiwan, Iran threatening Israel, Russia threatening Ukraine, political polarization, tornadoes, government mandates, propagandized education, mind-boggling national debt, homosexuality dominating every facet of society, inept leadership, abortion – It’s enough to make one gag and/or go nutty. A friend wrote the following concerning the above issues:
“Had an interesting text message thread with my conservative brother and two (former Democrat) sisters who were expressing, quote: “what can we actually do about all that is going on to this country”.
I think that is something that is on the minds of at least half of the country. Short of taking up arms against the state as our forefathers did what can someone do? My advice was stop sitting on the sideline, to stop remaining quiet in conversations where liberals are attacking conservatives or this country, and to not agree with government mandates that are unconstitutional such as mask and vaccine mandates, to put a bumper sticker on your car stating how you feel, etc., etc. anything is better than doing nothing and just watching our liberties and freedoms evaporate.
Hmmm . . . I get it and some of that might help but is that the crux of the matter? It is obvious to all but the weak-minded that we are at war. However, many do not realize it is spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. The enemy is firmly entrenched; these strongholds have been guarded for thousands of years, presenting a great wall of resistance to the Truth. None of this should deter the Christian warrior, however. Using the weapons of God’s choosing, we must attack the strongholds, and by the miraculous power of Christ, we can win the war.
Ephesians 6:10–12 says, “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, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This text teaches some crucial truths: we can only stand strong in the Lord’s power, it is God’s armor that protects us, and our battle is ultimately against spiritual forces of evil in the world.
Ephesians 6:13–18 is a description of the spiritual armor God gives us. What do these pieces of spiritual armor represent in spiritual warfare?
- We are to know the truth, believe the truth, and speak the truth.
- We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us.
- We are to proclaim the gospel no matter how much resistance we face.
- We are not to waver in our faith, trusting God’s promises no matter how strongly we are attacked.
Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, an assurance that no spiritual force can take away. Our offensive weapon is the Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings. And we are to pray in the power and will of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus came as the Messiah, He was rejected by many including the Zealots who advocated the violent removal of the Romans. They were ruled by a harsh Roman authoritarian government. They rejected Christ because He did not come as a military leader. One day He will return and conquer, and it will be devastating, but currently, we are living in the period of grace.
The flesh uses fleshly strategies to battle our enemies. The Lord however is building His Church, and the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). What we need are Christian soldiers, totally surrendered to the will of Jesus Christ, who will use the spiritual weapons He provides. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
With all that said we do have a responsibility to choose wise leaders who understand that only following God can result in prosperity and vote for them, but we must keep in mind always that the key to success in spiritual warfare is to rely upon God’s power, not our own.
When put on the whole armor of God we draw upon the power of Scripture and the Word of God is the Spirit’s sword. We pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God.
Modern-day America needs the Truth and word of God more than at any time in its existence. Ours is not a political issue and no politician can fix the problems in our country. We need a revival, and we need faithful Christians to witness and teach our friends and if you want bumper stickers use the ones that tells the world that God loves us.
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.