I declare War
Sometimes in my journey of faith I get really tired and a little bit disoriented. I try to wear this world loosely, but every now and then life gets heavy on me. In those times I tell myself "If this is what God wants then he must be training me, but if this isn't God's will I am not going to take this." This may sound a bit confrontational, and that's because it is.
What I have come to know is that this journey of faith is right through a war zone, and everyone who takes this journey needs to be vigilant and in full armor ready to fight for their spiritual life. You see God is not the only one that has a plan for my life. Just as light can not exist without dark, good can not exist without evil. When we fail to recognize that we have opposition, we make ourselves easy victims, and set ourselves up for a fall. There is a real enemy of our souls and we need to be ready for him. Scripture puts it like this:
Ephesians 6:11-13King James Version (KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The devil is real, and he will do anything he can to stop us from completing our journey of faith. How does he do it...ideas! Here we have the saying that "the idle mind is the devil's playground." This points to the theory that Satan messes with us by presenting bad thoughts into our minds. Thoughts of doubt and fear are like fiery arrows aimed at us to destroy our hope which is the fuel that faith runs on.
Here are some of the ideas that pop up in my journey of faith that attempt to stop me from moving forward:
1. Are you sure this is the way?
2. Aren't you lonely?
3. Aren't you tired?
4. Is all of this really necessary?
5. What's the point in all of this?
6. It doesn't matter.
7. No one cares.
8. You're never going to make it.
9. Quit now.
10. you can't do this.
It is painful to even encounter these evil thoughts, but that's why God's word says to armor up. When these thoughts come to mind I remember that my faith is a shield to me that puts out these fiery darts and that God's word is a sword that I can use to send the devil packing. I have the faith to stand up to these lies from the enemy, and I have God's word to defend myself. To put it simply, I choose to believe God. I remember that the Lord is my shepherd who leads me, directs me, feeds me, protects me, preserves me, and presents me to the world as his precious one (Psalm 23). I remember that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that I have the authority to condemn any tongue that raises up against me(Isaiah 54:17) I remember that all things work together for my good because I love the Lord and I am called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I remember that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I remember that If I wait on God he will give me the strength to keep going (Isaiah 40:31). I remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I remember that God is the author and finisher of my faith through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). I remember that my current suffering won't even be able to compare to the glory that God will reveal(Romans 8:18). I remember that the Lord is my light and my salvation and I don't have to be afraid (Psalm 27). I remember that the Lord will perfect what he began in me (Philippians 1:6).
When only one side is fighting, it's not war, but a massacre. People of God, stop being the victims and declare war on every evil thought that would stop you on your journey of faith. If it's not God then it's got to go.
What I have come to know is that this journey of faith is right through a war zone, and everyone who takes this journey needs to be vigilant and in full armor ready to fight for their spiritual life. You see God is not the only one that has a plan for my life. Just as light can not exist without dark, good can not exist without evil. When we fail to recognize that we have opposition, we make ourselves easy victims, and set ourselves up for a fall. There is a real enemy of our souls and we need to be ready for him. Scripture puts it like this:
Ephesians 6:11-13King James Version (KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The devil is real, and he will do anything he can to stop us from completing our journey of faith. How does he do it...ideas! Here we have the saying that "the idle mind is the devil's playground." This points to the theory that Satan messes with us by presenting bad thoughts into our minds. Thoughts of doubt and fear are like fiery arrows aimed at us to destroy our hope which is the fuel that faith runs on.
Here are some of the ideas that pop up in my journey of faith that attempt to stop me from moving forward:
1. Are you sure this is the way?
2. Aren't you lonely?
3. Aren't you tired?
4. Is all of this really necessary?
5. What's the point in all of this?
6. It doesn't matter.
7. No one cares.
8. You're never going to make it.
9. Quit now.
10. you can't do this.
It is painful to even encounter these evil thoughts, but that's why God's word says to armor up. When these thoughts come to mind I remember that my faith is a shield to me that puts out these fiery darts and that God's word is a sword that I can use to send the devil packing. I have the faith to stand up to these lies from the enemy, and I have God's word to defend myself. To put it simply, I choose to believe God. I remember that the Lord is my shepherd who leads me, directs me, feeds me, protects me, preserves me, and presents me to the world as his precious one (Psalm 23). I remember that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that I have the authority to condemn any tongue that raises up against me(Isaiah 54:17) I remember that all things work together for my good because I love the Lord and I am called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I remember that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I remember that If I wait on God he will give me the strength to keep going (Isaiah 40:31). I remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I remember that God is the author and finisher of my faith through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). I remember that my current suffering won't even be able to compare to the glory that God will reveal(Romans 8:18). I remember that the Lord is my light and my salvation and I don't have to be afraid (Psalm 27). I remember that the Lord will perfect what he began in me (Philippians 1:6).
When only one side is fighting, it's not war, but a massacre. People of God, stop being the victims and declare war on every evil thought that would stop you on your journey of faith. If it's not God then it's got to go.
Comments
Post a Comment