Prepare for Battle

 Prepare for Battle - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com Picture, if you can, an army intended to defend a powerful nation. That army just lolls around, denying that there is an enemy. They actually deny the enemy exists. This denialresults in lowered defenses and lack of training. As the army sleeps, the enemy, who is very real, slowly infiltrates the troops. The enemy whispers many lies and convinces the soldiers that they don’t need to train and that the guidelines for the conductof soldiers are old fashioned and the rules need to be slackened in order for a happier, user-friendly group of soldiers. The soldiers begin to argue with the commander’s orders, they make changes to the battle plan, and they generally side with the enemy. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to today’s ekklesia! We have our battle plan, as well as a description of the enemy’s plan, but we ignore it. Scripture is very clearas to what our King requires. Men are commissioned to lead the battle, but they are now allowing soft-hearted women to lead the troops. This is not Biblical. In order not to upset the women, men compromise the battle plan. This apostasy allows the New Ageto flourish within our troops. Every person, male or female (and there are only two choices), must prepare for their own spot in the army of God. We cannot close our eyes and live in denial. The battle is real, and the enemy troops are becoming braver. Inorder not to be called haters or to be seeker friendly, God’s troops remain silent, and the enemy becomes more brazen. Brothers and sisters, we must prepare for battle. We must listen to Christ our King, and be brave as we wage war against the powers of darkness. History is clear that if an army hides, the enemy grows braver. King Saul was a weak leader of Israel. He was double minded and not always in his right mind. Today we mightsay he had a mental disorder. Whatever his mental state, he didn’t honor God. The physical enemy of that time were the Philistines. The Philistines had a “champion” to fight for them. He was a very formidable opponent named Goliath. To look at him was a frighteningsight. He stood “six cubits and a span”, which is over 9 feet tall. Not only was he taller than any man in Saul’s army, but he was heavy and strong. Saul’s troops hadn’t prepared for battle. They should have known the enemy and prepared to fight him, but theywere weak and scared. Goliath had remarkable armor which helps to understand his giant proportions. “And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was 5 thousand shekels of brass. And he had greavesof brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weight 6 hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.” 1 Samuel 17:5-7. Some scholars estimate the battle gear that Goliath wore weighed around 200 pounds. Yes, he looked unbeatable. So, in the Valley of Elah, Goliath stood before Saul’s troopswhile those unprepared soldiers hid in fear of the enemy. Many pastors refuse to teach from the Old Testament. This is wrong. Many Christian soldiers could draw strength and encouragement from the Old Testament accounts of God’s people. This is one of thoseaccounts. The enemy looked strong, Saul’s army was unprepared, but God had prepared His own champion to fight. The champion whom God had prepared, was a young man named David, the youngest son of Jesse. He was a shepherd, not a warrior, but he had prepared for battle in an unusualway. He had protected his flock from attack by a bear and a lion. We can assume that David didn’t waste his time lying in the green pastures or enjoying the still waters while his sheep grazed. He must have spent time in target practice with his slingshotpreparing for battle. When the enemy appeared, he was ready. David didn’t look like a giant-killer, but he was prepared. When his youth and stature were questioned, he had an answer. “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and therecame a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and thebear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing that he hath defied the armies of the living God.” 1 Samuel 17:34-36. Where are the shepherds today? The enemy is plucking the lambs from among the flock, and instead of fighting for the life of the flock, the shepherds today allow the enemyto take the lambs. This is done by allowing doctrines of devils to enter into their sermons, and the Gospel is watered down until it is no longer the Gospel of Christ. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from thefaith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2. Paul wrote these words to a young pastor. If the shepherds are lacking, the flock will die. Men ofGod, prepare for battle, because it is upon us. David won the battle with Goliath because he was prepared. David, armed himself only with his shepherd’s staff, his slingshot, and five smooth stones (he only needed one),and went to face Goliath. David’s youth and stature gave Goliath a false sense that the battle would be easy. “And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” 1 Samuel 17:43. False gods can never prevail against God Almighty. “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to theein the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistinesthis day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not the sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S and he will giveyou into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47. Goliath felt prideful and self-confident. On the other hand, David knew his strength was in the Lord. The Lord won the battle that day because one young man had prepared forbattle. It only took one stone perfectly aimed at the Giant’s forehead to bring him down. Then David cut off his head. Victory was complete. The same enemy that subtly whispered lies to Eve in the Garden of Eden, the same enemy who attempted to destroy the army of God, is working his evil today. He is becomingbraver in his attacks and his mocking and twisting of God’s truth. There are many, many false doctrines entering our congregations today, and the shepherds don’t care. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be loversof their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers ofpleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This sounds as if the Apostle Paul was looking at today’s Christians and their “form of godliness”. It has no substance, no battle-worthiness, and is filled with false teaching.That word “perilous” is a very strong word. In Greek it is “chalepos” and is only used twice in the New Testament. The first use of chalepos is found in Matthew, and translated “fierce”. “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes,there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” Matthew 8:28. These days in which we live are exceedingly chalepos…perilous and fierce. There is a demonic evil pervading the world.The battle is real and it is demonic. The enemy is invading and Christians are asleep or hide in the hills. We listen to seeker friendly sermons filled with politically correct, seeker friendly words that don’t the soldiers for battle. That battle isn’t coming,it’s here. Christianity isn’t for the feint-hearted. The war was won at the Cross, but Satan isn’t giving up. We each have a place in the final battle. Satan is in his death throes and wants to destroy as many souls as he can.The only way we can lose our part in the battle is to not prepare. Study Scripture. Most pastors don’t teach line upon line through Scripture. It seems as if it’s more important to get through the allotted hour rather than arm the soldiers for battle. Thatshouldn’t stop you from your own study. Prophecy is extremely important in being armed for battle. The Rapture will happen very, very soon, but do you know how to use this as a witnessing tool? Prophetic signs are happening quickly. The world leaders, andsome false teachers within the church, are pushing for a one-world order. It’s happening, but we aren’t prepared for battle. God has given us His word…both Old and New Testaments. The Apostle Paul talked a lot about spiritual warfare, but many pastors today erroneously think we shouldn’t talk aboutevil spirits and demons. The only way to be prepared for battle is to be aware of the enemy’s strategy. Jesus seemed to think demons were real, and I trust Him to know. Christians have God’s armor, not your own armor, but God’s armor. “Finally, my brethrenbe strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers ofthe darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:10-12. The armor is there for you, but if you don’t know what it is, then you need to study Scripture. The things we wrestle against, or should wrestle against, are spirit beingswho serve Satan. If you aren’t armed with God’s armor, you will hide in the hills like Saul’s soldiers and lose the battle. “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.” Ephesians 6:13. This passage of Scripture follows after Paul’s warning of the destruction of family. Men are to love their wives as Christ loves His church, not mentally or physically abusing her (Ephesians 5:25), women are to submit to their own husbandsas if submitting to Christ (Ephesians 5:22). Fathers aren’t to provoke their children (Ephesians 6:4), and children are to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1). Servants (employees) are to be obedient (Ephesians 6:5) and masters (employers) are totreat servants kindly (Ephesians 6:9). Satan is attacking God’s order of life, and the demons are getting more open in their attacks. God’s armor will protect against the attacks of Satan. It won’t stop the attack from happening, but you will be protected. “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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; aboveall, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:13-18. Learn to use God’s armor now, before the battle. Begin by accepting Christ for salvation. Not with lip-service, but with your whole heart. Prepare for battle now. Don’t wait until you see the enemy pointing his weapons at you. The war is all around you right now. If you don’t see the enemy, then maybe you areon the wrong side of the battle. God bless you all, Nathele Graham