Are You Prepared to Fight?

[Fiosh]

Ephesians 6: 12 tells us " For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"

Powerful stuff.

It is often too easy to get caught up in day to day life and forget just how REAL this is.

Considering what is happening in the world and in our very own homeland, I think it's a good time to remind ourselves that there is indeed another war going on. One though unseen, is still as real as any on earth; maybe even more real.

We are ALL affected by this war. We can choose to pretend it does not exist; we can stand on the sidelines and watch; or we can step on to the battlefield.

I believe most of you here have chosen to fight, even though you know the dangers. Satan may be willing to only dally on those who watch from the relative safety of ignorance or apathy. But he attacks, full force, those who stand up for his nemesis, Jesus Christ, and His Truth.

What is your understanding of this war that we are in?

What is our role?

How does he attack?

What are the manifestations of this spiritual war on earthyly things?

We often hear it said, "Satan's best weapon is to convince us that he does not exist". True.

Know your enemy. He is powerful. But He that is in me, is far more powerful than he that is in the world. Praise God!

I am blest to know you all.

In the Love of Jesus,

Fiosh

[irishcowboy]

you may see people that are never attacked by satan, there is two reasons for this,

one is that they are living for satan, even thou they may be "in church, practicing religion" and have been deceived to the point they are lost and dont know it....

another is that they are in constant spiritual warfare and are doing battle daily, as they go through life, spending hours in prayer every day......

now,

those that are living for God and have their battle armor on, and never take it off, the enemy will try a different avenue of attack to break us down.....

just like with Job..... satan was unable to touch Job, but was allowed ( yes, allowed ) to attack the things around Job.... so satan took Job's family, crops, live stock and every thing he had, except his contentious wife and loyal (achem) friends...... Job mourned, but remained loyal to God..... satan then had to have permission to touch Job, but could not take his life..... now, Job was inflicted with illness.... and still remained faithful..... satan used the back door so to speak to get to Job, but was unable to......

you will see people that they are unmovable in their faith, and then, they loose a son or daughter, and then their parents.... some will crash, some will press on, continually remaining faithful to the Lord......

I have seen where a couple had just about all their children turn against them, and they remained faithful.... raising their children, then watch as one drifts off into drugs..... there was hours upon hours upon days of prayers going out for this one, and after a couple years this one has become a prayer warrior himself, and is not spending a massive amount of time with the Lord every day.....

another kid has turned into the prodigal son so to speak, ( bucking heads with his dad ) he is now preaching the Word of God, as he is going thru college......

a daughter is afraid of what God may do with her... afraid of loosing her friends, she is still in prayer.... being lifted up tothe Lord for strength and understanding...

the other two are seeking the Lord for their lives and are growing stronger......

the attacks still come to this family, but the attacks are further away.... why???

cause this family has had the hedge of protection placed around them and they are in unity, together, in Christ.....

here are some statistics......

of all adults in the usa about 45% say the Bible is totally acuate.

35 % of americans believe that God helps those that help them selves.

and 88 % have read something from the Bible in the last 7 days.

of those born again

50% think satan is just a symbol of evil,

33% believe that if a person is good enough they can get to heaven.

28% believe that Jesus did commit sin while he was on earth.

15% believe that Christ did not rise from the dead in the physical.

world in general

61% believe that gambling is ok

59% believe it is ok to have sexual fantaciess,

60% believe it is ok for co-habitation

45% believe it is ok to have abortions.

42% believe it is ok to have sex before mariage

36% believe profanity is not wrong

35 % say that drunkenness is ok

34% believe that same gender sex is ok

there are many more....

as was said above, satans most effective weapon is that of getting people to believe that he does not exist.....

satan attacks us very suttelly, not too many times does he attack with a full frontal attack, he wants to sneak in and get you while you are not looking....

remember what Christ said....

"Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

we are being hit with anything that will take our eyes off of the Lord.....so that we will sink, just as Peter started to when he took his eyes off of Christ, on the water... we have to stay close and keep our eyes on Christ.....

and Fiosh is correct, it is too easy to get caught up in the day to day life....

we do forget to spend time with the Lord...

the time is drawing close....

mike

[Leonard]

I'm a bit 'o th' heretic here, I'm afraid. Jesus said the "Kingdom of Heaven is within you," so I think this battle's main 'front' is in our interior life.

The Scripture tells us satan is utterly defeated. How then does he seem to have power? Because BY OUR OWN WORDS we empower him in ourselves, and give him power to work in the world around us.

[Fiosh]

I'm a bit 'o th' heretic here, I'm afraid.  Jesus said the "Kingdom of Heaven is within you," so I think this battle's main 'front' is in our interior life.

The Scripture tells us satan is utterly defeated.  How then does he seem to have power?  Because BY OUR OWN WORDS we empower him in ourselves, and give him power to work in the world around us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I'm understanding the lesson in Job, it appears that Satan often uses on "outer" attack in an attempt to break down our inner defenses.

However, I sometimes am brought to my knees seeking the power and protection of my Father against an attack directly upon my spirit.

Jesus has won the victory and given us the power. We sometimes, in our lack of complete trust in Him, do not fully grasp on to it.

Or as Mike so aptly put it we "look down".

Peace,

Fiosh

[NITE OWL]

It is my belief that not many people understand spiritual warfare. They talk up a good talk about the Holy Spirit but know little about the devil and his buddies.

Knowing the devil is just as important as knowing Christ. Most people don't understand this and it's the #1 reason why people abandon the faith. Actually it's the only reason. What other reason would there be?

Our role in spiritual warfare is to understand the devil's tactics and to teach others.

Satan's not stupid. He knows our weak points and uses them against us. Doubt is one of his best weapons. If he can get us to doubt our salvation, he's pretty much won that battle.

Arrogance is another tactic he likes to use. He will actually use what we know about God and turn it against us. He'll whisper in our ear that we are wise and smarter than the next guy. He'll puff up our hearts to the point of bursting.

Along with arrogance comes pride and boasting. I see it all the time. People like brag about how much they are doing for the Lord. They like to tell us how much money they gave or question our belief's because we don't put our works on display for the world to see.

He likes to put christians up against other christians. Look at some of these debates. Some people will go down fighting even if they know they're wrong. They'll ask for scripture to back up a claim and when one is given, their pride won't let them admit their mistakes.

Every negative emotion comes from the devil. Hate, jealousy, rage, anger....

He also visits us in our dreams. Granted we can't control what goes on in our dreams, but it's how we react to those to those dreams when we are awake. I've been having a problem with this lately.

Greed. Look at how many " get rich with the Lord " ministers there are. The devil knows scripture and he'll use it to his advantage every chance he gets. Not everyone who calls themselves righteous, is. People need to understand that.

Manifestations of this spiritual war on earthly things. Do you really want me to answer this? I will if you ask, but you know where I stand on this issue. I will leave it for now but if anyone asks....you get both barrels.

That's my take on the devil and his peeps. Never underestimate him. Just when you think you're in the clear, he'll blind side you.

That's about all I have for now.

As always...in His name.

[Fiosh]

you may see people that are never attacked by satan,  there is two reasons for this, 

one is that they are living for satan, even thou they may be "in church, practicing religion"  and have been deceived to the point they are lost and dont know it....

another is that they are in constant spiritual warfare and are doing battle daily, as they go through life, spending hours in prayer every day......

now,

those that are living for God and have their battle armor on, and never take it off, the enemy will try a different avenue of attack to break us down.....

just like with Job..... satan was unable to touch Job, but was allowed ( yes, allowed ) to attack the things around Job.... so satan took Job's family, crops, live stock and every thing he had, except his contentious wife and loyal (achem) friends......  Job mourned, but remained loyal to God.....  satan then had to have permission to touch Job, but could not take his life..... now, Job was inflicted with illness.... and still remained faithful.....  satan used the back door so to speak to get to Job, but was unable to......

you will see people that they are unmovable in their faith, and then,  they loose a son or daughter, and then their parents.... some will crash, some will press on, continually remaining faithful to the Lord......

I have seen where a couple had just about all their children turn against them, and they remained faithful.... raising their children, then watch as one drifts off into drugs..... there was hours upon hours upon days of prayers going out for this one, and after a couple years this one has become a prayer warrior himself, and is not spending a massive amount of time with the Lord every day.....

another kid has turned into the prodigal son so to speak, ( bucking heads with his dad ) he is now preaching the Word of God, as he is going thru college......

a daughter is afraid of what God may do with her... afraid of loosing her friends, she is still in prayer.... being lifted up tothe Lord for strength and understanding...

the other two are seeking the Lord for their lives and are growing stronger......

the attacks still come to this family, but the attacks are further away.... why???

cause this family has had the hedge of protection placed around them and they are in unity, together, in Christ..... 

here are some statistics......

of all adults in the usa  about 45% say the Bible is totally acuate.

35 % of americans believe that God helps those that help them selves.

and 88 % have read something from the Bible in the last 7 days.

of those born again

50% think satan is just a symbol of evil,

33% believe that if a person is good enough they can get to heaven.

28% believe that Jesus did commit sin while he was on earth.

15% believe that Christ did not rise from the dead in the physical.

world in general

61% believe that gambling is ok

59% believe it is ok to have sexual fantaciess,

60% believe it is ok for co-habitation

45% believe it is ok to have abortions.

42% believe it is ok to have sex before mariage

36% believe profanity is not wrong

35 % say that drunkenness is ok

34% believe that same gender sex is ok

there are many more....

as was said above,  satans most effective weapon is that of getting people to believe that he does not exist.....

satan attacks us very suttelly,  not too many times does he attack with a full frontal attack, he wants to sneak in and get you while you are not looking....

remember what Christ said....

"Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

we are being hit with anything that will take our eyes off of the Lord.....so that we will sink, just as Peter started to when he took his eyes off of Christ, on the water...  we have to stay close and keep our eyes on Christ.....

and Fiosh is correct, it is too easy to get caught up in the day to day life....

we do forget to spend time with the Lord...

the time is drawing close....

mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are a wise and insightful man (you must be even older than me! )

Thanks for your input. Those statistics make a powerful statement.

F

[Leonard]

It is my belief that not many people understand spiritual warfare. They talk up a good talk about the Holy Spirit but know little about the devil and his buddies.

Knowing the devil is just as important as knowing Christ.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You absolutely CANNOT be serious!

Your attitude is THE PROBLEM with Christians today: They'd rather learn about the devil than about Jesus. Makes 'em sound like they're one up on the rest of us.

The TRUTH about the devil is that he is utterly defeated, his kingdom destroyed and the universe belongs to Jesus Christ! Jesus said: "ALL POWER in Heaven and earth belongs to HIM. If ALL power belongs to Him, how much belongs to the devil? ZERO!!!

Christ mediates His power to this earth through the words of Believers. Your words are filled with Christ's power. The ONLY way satan can have ANY power, is for Believers to foolishly take Christ's power and GIVE it to satan, by speaking foolish words attributing power, glory, kingdom, and honor to satan!

WELL, STOP IT!!!!

[Fiosh]

It is my belief that not many people understand spiritual warfare. They talk up a good talk about the Holy Spirit but know little about the devil and his buddies.

Knowing the devil is just as important as knowing Christ.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You absolutely CANNOT be serious!

Your attitude is THE PROBLEM with Christians today: They'd rather learn about the devil than about Jesus. Makes 'em sound like they're one up on the rest of us.

The TRUTH about the devil is that he is utterly defeated, his kingdom destroyed and the universe belongs to Jesus Christ! Jesus said: "ALL POWER in Heaven and earth belongs to HIM. If ALL power belongs to Him, how much belongs to the devil? ZERO!!!

Christ mediates His power to this earth through the words of Believers. Your words are filled with Christ's power. The ONLY way satan can have ANY power, is for Believers to foolishly take Christ's power and GIVE it to satan, by speaking foolish words attributing power, glory, kingdom, and honor to satan!

WELL, STOP IT!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have Christian friends who do not believe Satan exists. They'll say that there is an "evil force" in the world; or that man creates evil.

Do I try to convince them he's real or not?

F

[NITE OWL]

It is my belief that not many people understand spiritual warfare. They talk up a good talk about the Holy Spirit but know little about the devil and his buddies.

Knowing the devil is just as important as knowing Christ.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You absolutely CANNOT be serious!

Your attitude is THE PROBLEM with Christians today: They'd rather learn about the devil than about Jesus. Makes 'em sound like they're one up on the rest of us.

The TRUTH about the devil is that he is utterly defeated, his kingdom destroyed and the universe belongs to Jesus Christ! Jesus said: "ALL POWER in Heaven and earth belongs to HIM. If ALL power belongs to Him, how much belongs to the devil? ZERO!!!

Christ mediates His power to this earth through the words of Believers. Your words are filled with Christ's power. The ONLY way satan can have ANY power, is for Believers to foolishly take Christ's power and GIVE it to satan, by speaking foolish words attributing power, glory, kingdom, and honor to satan!

WELL, STOP IT!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So you believe the devil doesn't exist? Then answer me this.

Why is the world in such chaos?

Why are there homosexuals parading down the flooded streets of New Orleans as you read this?

Why is Israel still at war with it's neighbors?

Why, why, why?

So many questions.

How am I giving satan power simply by talking about him? If we ignore him, will he simply go away? You say I give him glory and honor. Please point this out to me. I don't see it.

You say the kingdom of God is inside us and that our war is a spiritual one. I agree with you. But how do we battle the forces of evil if we don't know their tactics?

Was Christ just blowing off steam when He warned of things to come? Were the writers of the bible just killing time? Should we ignore their warnings?

You called yourself a heretic. Do you not believe the teachings of Christ? Does the bible not teach us to beware of the devil?

Maybe I am what's wrong with the church today. I see the church for what it is, not what it should be.

If you believe the devil is not here on this earth, you deceive yourself. That too is one of satan's tactics.

[Gerioke]

I'm a bit 'o th' heretic here, I'm afraid.  Jesus said the "Kingdom of Heaven is within you," so I think this battle's main 'front' is in our interior life.

The Scripture tells us satan is utterly defeated.  How then does he seem to have power?  Because BY OUR OWN WORDS we empower him in ourselves, and give him power to work in the world around us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You amaze me.