Are you a constant casualty in an unknown war?
Our enemy hates us: God said to Satan, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring" (Genesis 3:15a). Enmity is hatred. Our enemy hates us. Therefore, we need the strength of one who is stronger than our enemy.
In Luke 11, Jesus said, "But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Luke 11:20-23, ESV)
Do you see that, dear friends? For centuries upon centuries, we have been locked in an epic struggle against an enemy that hates us. This enemy would harass us, oppress us, depress us, and, if possible, possess us with himself and dispossess us of our senses and make us mad (see Ecclesiastes 7:7).
Who's with the enemy? I'll tell you: everyone who is not with the Lord Jesus is with the enemy. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24). If we are not "for Him," then certainly, from Jesus's standpoint, we are "against Him" (Luke 11:23).
This war is constant. It doesn't let up. There are no sidelines and no timeouts. There is no peace treaty.
Spiritual armor* is not available for unspiritual people, so many are unprotected in a war they don't even know exists. The spiritually blind don't look into a spiritual war, even though we are all spiritual. The spiritual dead are being held captive by the enemy, and all that enemy wants to do is steal, kill and destroy...lie...roam around, being crafty, disguising himself as an angel of light, looking for someone to trick, ensnare and devour (ref. John 10:10, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3 and 14. 2 Timothy 2:26, 1 Peter 5:8).
Romans 8:31 says "If the Lord is for us, who can be against us?" But, dear friend, that is the catch...we must be hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3) for the Lord to be for us!
Many are not even fighting a losing battle; they are suffering a defeated life! Friend, we must have the Strong One on our side! He is willing to fight for us! The Lord Jesus casts none away who humbly come to Him in surrender. He grants life and gives partnership to all who come to Him! If we are not with Him, we are against Him. We already have one enemy, and, unsurrendered to God, we position ourselves against Him as well. That means we'll be defeated in both life and beyond. We need victory! We need Him who has won! We need supernatural, super spiritual strength to defeat our natural predilections and spiritual foe.
Be aware of the war.
Be surrendered to the Savior.
Be victorious!
*Spiritual Armor
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit,with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV)
