While at the lake today I was mobbed by brutal geese mobsters. You pull out one sandwich and all of a sudden you have forty five geese heading your way. I nearly squared off with the most courageous of the pack. What seemed to be my planned picnic lunch quickly turned in to brutal warfare. I had geese surrounding me everywhere ready to attack. And except for a shoe and my ability to run I was in no condition to fight back.
As christians we face spiritual warfare every day. Yet so many of us are unprepared for it. It should be no secret that we are constantly being attacked. Ephesians 6 is no stranger to most of us. It gives the full armor of God. In it some things are pointed out. In order to stand firm you need truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Word of God, and prayer. And all of these are extremely powerful weapons.
First is truth. Truth is the light. It shines out the lies. And our job as christians is to distinguish absolute truth. It should be no secret, the world is full of lies. Lies of guilt, lies of justification for the things they do. God is not the author of confusion. His word is truth, in which there are no contradictions. Those who try to twist the scriptures reap their own destruction 2 Peter 3:16. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Look to Him as your absolute standard. I guarantee if Jesus taught against it, then you shouldn't be doing it. He never sinned. Therefore, he is perfection. The perfect standard for your morals. The perfect example of what is light in such a dark world.
Second is righteousness. In Ephesians it is a breastplate. It protects you and your most vital organs. Proverbs 4:23 warns "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." The best way to guard your life is to have a holy and righteous one. Because every thing you think, say, and do comes from your heart. You can only be a hypocrite for so long. Eventually the truth of who you are and the condition of your heart will come out.
Third is peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. He doesn't cause chaos. He solves it. Matthew 5:9 tells us to be peacemakers. Because of our sinful nature, the role of peacemaker is not something that is easy to step into. In order to be a peacemaker, we often will need to make downward steps. By this I mean, we must back off from our own feelings of importance. Christ, the one who brings us peace made downward steps on our behalf. His first step downward was leaving His glory in heaven. Christ was at the right hand of God and He left that position for us. And most importantly He did it joyfully. Being a peacemaker always involves humility.
Fourth is faith. Faith is defined as complete trust or confidence in something or someone. Sometimes it's hard to trust God. It is during those waiting times when our faith can especially waver. And nobody is perfect, but I want Romans 4:20 to be said of me, "Yet he [Abraham] did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. " And we know that Abraham wasn't perfect, but that's where God's grace comes in. Because God is faithful. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." And he keeps His promises too. Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." It's comforting to know that despite how much I waiver at times, God never does. He is unchanging.
Fifth is Salvation. Without which none of this would be possible. Salvation incorporates Grace, Justice, and Mercy. And it is the prime example of unconditional love. It is the helmet that protects that brain. Your body cannot function without your brain. And even with medical technologies we have never been able to develop a brain transplant. Fighting for truth and trying to live a righteous life would have no meaning if Grace were not involved. Galatians 2:21, "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
One of the most powerful tools you have is the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Yeah, I think it speaks for itself. But so many of us have no idea how to use the sword. We don't know our weapon at all!
Lastly is prayer. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In a battle, to know the gameplan the soldiers must have constant communication with their higher ups. If not, the enemy could get in. The same works for Christians. We must be in CONSTANT communication. It's the only way the relationship can grow.
And above all my fellow warriors. Whether you be fighting geese or evil, God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Psalm 44: 6-7, "I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame." And if you read Revelation, you know the end. And in the end, you know that we win. The battle whether past present or future, belongs to the Lord. (1 Samuel 17:47) A very comforting fact.
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