Are You Ready for Battle?

 Are You Ready for Battle? - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com Picture in your mind a battlefield. The enemy is formidable and armed with their weapons of battle. What are those weapons? Lies, deception, temptation, fear, chaos, and allthings evil. As you look around at your fellow soldiers in this war, you catch a glimpse of an enemy soldier lurking behind the ranks. That enemy is whispering lies to the troops. The enemy seems to know their weapons well and how to use them skillfully. You’recertain that the battle will soon be fully raging in all-out war. There have been many small skirmishes, but nothing that has tried the troops like what is about to come. You know that your side of this war also has weapons, and you look around at your fellow warriors, and your heart sinks. Look at them! Where’s their armor? They’re dressedin shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and sandals. What happened to the battle gear that the Instruction Book described? You think hard trying to remember what the Book said. Something about putting on armor, but nobody in your troop seems to have put on any armor.Peeking out from under a bunk, you notice that somebody had hidden the Instruction Book. It was opened to a section about the battle gear. As you pick it up to begin reading, a voice whispers from behind you “You can read that later. The battle hasn’t startedand some of your fellow soldiers are watching TV and playing cards in the other room. That will be much more fun than reading this ancient book.” The whispering voice made sense. Why upset the troops with stories of battle, and tales of an enemy, when there’smuch more interesting activities to do. You know that you are armed for battle, but as you look down at your feet, your heart sinks. You only see sandals, but you recall the Book instructed “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15. Spiritual sandals just aren’t spiritual battle gear. Is that just an imaginary story? Something that makes for interesting reading, but just not applicable to you or your fellow soldiers? Sadly, most Christians are clad in vacationclothing rather than the full armor of God. “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. There is a war raging all around us, but many Christians aren’t fit for battle. They’ve chosen to listen to a watered-down Gospel that tickles ears and doesn’t prepare anybodyfor war. I have to be honest and say that I’ve attended churches where the preacher has no grasp of Scripture. There is a growing trend found in many pulpits to ignore the battle, make the congregation feel comfortable and cozy, and send them to battle inflip-flops. Pastors should know Scripture and be able to discern the times in which we live. Sadly, in this day and age of softening God’s word so that congregations and offerings grow, God’s word has gone missing. That’s another piece of the armor that seemsto be misplaced. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” Ephesians 6:17. Christ hung on a cross, shedding every drop of His blood in order to offer salvation to all of humanity. That salvation has to be accepted by each individual. Protect yourhead and brain from enemy attack. Wear your salvation like a helmet to protect you from the lies of the “feel good” Gospel. Your salvation was purchased at a great expense, but is offered to you freely. Admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.Your sin has condemned you to eternity in Hell, but you have a choice. Choose to repent of your sin, and accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation. Too many Christians stop there, “I’ve gone to the altar and mumbled a prayer,so I’m set for eternity”. Well, if your trip to the altar and your repentance was sincere, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Now you need to show evidence of your changed attitude and turn from your sin. Pick up the “…sword of the Spirit, which is theword of God:” Ephesians 6:17b. Don’t wait for a preacher to arm you, but allow God to fit you for battle. Pick up your Bible, study it, and apply it to your life. In studying Scripture for yourself, you’ll learn that there is a real spiritual battle raging. It began in the Garden of Eden, and has never eased up. The unseen realm isvery real, and overflows into the physical realm. “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.” Ephesians 6:12. Our enemy is not flesh and blood…it’s not people. It may look as if our enemy is human, but we all have spiritual ears. We can choose to listen to Satan’s voice and act outhis evil towards fellow humans, or we can choose to listen to God, and show His love to others. Jesus said “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34. We are to love our fellow Christians. Well, we need to love people in general, but our brothers and sisters in Christ are family. Don’t waiver from God’s truth. “All scriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If you are sitting in a congregation where the preacher compromises God’s truth, you need to use Scripture to rebuke the teaching. Does your congregation accept sexual perversion?Get out of there. If you continue to listen to liberal teachings, you allow your spiritual armor to be tarnished. If you continue to listen to false teaching, you will be shod in flip-flops rather than having your feet shod with the Gospel truth. Stand firmon God’s truth and don’t waiver. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” Ephesians 6:14. You need to know God’s truth by knowing His word. Put on His armor and don’t take it off. How can you know a false teacher? First you need to know God’s truth. If your pastor doesn’t rebuke sin, there’s a problem. If your pastor doesn’t teach that Jesus Christwas God incarnate, there’s a problem. If your pastor doesn’t understand how important Israel is to God, there’s a problem. False teaching comes from Satan. Just as he confounded Eve in the Garden by twisting God’s words, that evil being is still twisting Scripture.You need to know God’s truth and stand firm on your faith. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16. When you come to faith, and especially if you allow your faith to guide your life, you become a target for the enemy. God won’t let you be a casualty of the spiritual war,but you need to stand with Him, not against Him. When Jesus was in the wilderness, fasting and praying, Satan in all his pride and arrogance tried to twist God’s words to the One who wrote those words. Jesus was in the beginning with God and He created allthings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1: 1-3. John goes on to say that the Word was made flesh. The Word was Jesus…God in the flesh. This is truth. You can either believe it, or you can believe Satan’s lies. Personally,I believe God. As Satan tried to manipulate Jesus into sinning, he pulled Scripture out of context and twisted the meaning. Jesus cannot be fooled and Satan lost that battle. Satan is always a loser. Your faith will be challenged, but don’t compromise. Parents, you need to teach your children God’s truth and prepare them for the spiritual battle they will face. Fathers,be sure you are teaching your sons to be godly men. Lead by example. Mothers, teach your daughters to honor God and not to compromise their faith by living worldly lives. I am horrified at what is being taught in public schools, and any Christian parent whoaccepts the curriculum that’s being taught needs to examine their own faith. Anyone who claims to be a Christian, yet can teach children Satan’s lies, also needs to examine their faith to see if it is real. Never compromise God’s truth. Study to know whatyou believe and why you believe it. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” 1 Peter 3:15. Scripture is truth and from beginning to end and it never changes. If you think Scripture should be “updated” to fit into modern society, then you need to check your spiritualarmor. You’re allowing it to become tarnished. Satan’s fiery darts are messing with your mind. Don’t forget to pray. Prayer is an important piece of God’s armor. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseveranceand supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:18. Praying for all saints? These aren’t humans who the pope has deemed special. If you are a person who has submitted to Christ and know that your righteousness is only throughHim, you are a saint, holy and set apart for God. Live your life to honor Him and never be ashamed to openly let your faith be known. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to theJew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. Wear God’s armor proudly, and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. The spiritual battle may be unseen by human eyes, but it is all around. It is spilling into the physical realm and manifesting in the acceptance of the moral decay and mentalillness of confused people who think they are something they aren’t. People are not animals, girls are not boys, and boys are not girls. No matter how much you mutilate your body, males are males and females are females. Stand firm on God’s word, put on thefull armor of God, and be ready for battle. God bless you all, Nathele Graham twotug@embarqmail.com Recommended prophecy sites: www.raptureready.com www.prophecyupdate.com www.raptureforums.com All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed. If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6.