The Christian Stance- Offensive or Defensive?

[Selah7]

23 hours ago, Starise said:

Text-Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The scriptures would seem to indicate that we as Christians should do everything to STAND in the armor of the Lord. I had to ask myself if we are  only holding the position or are we to charge the enemy? 

While I'm not a huge football fan, and depending on the country what we call "football" could be a totally different game all depending on where it's played. In soccer we have a man at the rear who is totally defensive. His only job is to make sure the ball from the other team never makes it into the net. Sometimes a goalie can kick an incoming ball and change the course of a game.

In NFL football there are defensive positions designed not to let an opponent through. Defense can sometimes become a fairly aggressive thing in that version of the game maybe better explained as a combination of both offensive and defensive actions, such as running to block an opponent. The role of the player is situational depending on the situation. The goal is to drive the ball past the opponents goal line in both games.

The armament of a Christian warrior- Ephesians 6:10-18

• Sword of the Spirit or the word of God as a weapon
• The shield of faith
• The breastplate of righteousness
• The helmet of salvation
• The belt of truth
• Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace

Other attributes mentioned-

• Constant prayer in the Spirit
• Alertness

In the beginning the soldier is briefed on the enemy. The enemy is not physically visible. He is cloaked. May be camouflaged to seem like something else. Rulers, authorities and powers of a DARK world. Spiritual forces and evil in 'heavenly realms'

How much of the armor do we need? All of it. A believer living in sin will not have the breastplate of righteousness on. A Christian telling or accepting of lies will not be wearing the belt of truth. An argumentative believer will not have the shoes of peace on. A Christian full of doubt will not be using the shield of faith at his or her disposal. A believer not understanding of the bible will not know how to use the sword.

When we go into the world, the enemy is looking for any small chink in the armor. 

Prayer is so vital to maintain our strong connection to the vine. The devil doesn't have as much time now. The goal is to eliminate as many soldiers as he can and move on to the next Christian casualty. He wants you out of the game. Even though he lost the war he still has plenty of potential to inflict damage on the body of Christ.

Now if you're like many people, you don't like the idea of a fight. We especially don't like the idea of being front and center in one. This is why we are often tempted to compromise. Compromise that allows lies and falsehood always give an advantage to the enemy. We really have no choice because the battle is coming to us. Why can't we all just get along?, you may say. The fact is, the enemy remains the enemy no matter how much you might like to somehow make a concession in order to get him off your back. 

How will you stand? Will you cower and appease, or will you put on the armor and fight?

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

- Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)

This tells me that in order to stand, we must bind the truth of God's Word tightly around our waists like a belt. The war of the end times, I believe, will be spiritual, and, imo, it will be filled with lots of trickery and dishonesty.  That is why Jesus warns us over and over not to be deceived.  And we won't be because God's TRUTH will hold us together and protect us from deception. We will be able to discern fraud and not be misled if we know what to expect because we have studied and God has already foretold us all things, right?  This, I believe, is how Christians will stand in the latter times.

 

in Christ, Selah 

 

 

[Raven]

Stand with Truth, and you can't go wrong.

[debrakay]

I've had my armor on for a long time.  I never take it off because I am supposed to be ready for whatever happens during each day for it is a daily battle while here on this earth.  Each piece of the armor gives me a specific protection against the evil one. Some day's I stand doing nothing but standing like the guard on duty at the Queen's palace in England.  Some day's the battle comes right to my doorsteps and into my family and life.  Each day it is some thing different but I am told to be ready at all times.  The scripture in Ephesians 6 is not a suggestion it is requirement.  God says "Therefore put on the full armor of God".

As far as any thoughts being planted in my mind, by the power of the Holy Spirit I am able to discern what thoughts are His and what thoughts are mine.  There is always a difference, worldly or spiritually, when something pops into my mind and I recognize which is which.  The spiritual thoughts are based on my love for Him and my love for others.  My worldly thoughts are many times based on my wants and needs.  

[debrakay]

50 minutes ago, Selah7 said:

That is why Jesus warns us over and over not to be deceived.  And we won't be because God's TRUTH will hold us together and protect us from deception. We will be able to discern fraud and not be misled if we know what to expect because we have studied and God has already foretold us all things, right?  

Praise the Lord @Selah7 for we will never be deceived!  Praise Jesus that His true followers KNOW the voice of their Shepherd!!  

In John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them (Sadducee's and Pharisee's),

“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

[Starise]

@Sower I can fully relate to your words about us already being in the battle. I feel I was attacked terribly yesterday. Many times we don't recognize it for what it is.

If you believe we go on the offensive, do we have biblical examples? Not asking just you @Sower but anyone who wants to respond.

Probably the first battle was with Adam and Even in the garden. They failed that one miserably. For one thing, apparently they didn't recognize the enemy for who he really was.

15 hours ago, Alive said:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

(1 John 5:4 ESV)

Does this sound like standing still or backing up.

While we will all eventually overcome the world, do you see this as a constant? We have an eventual victory in one sense and the continuing possibility of a daily victory in another sense. We have a shield, but if we let it down we can be struck. Not to the death, but wounded spiritually. Our job I think is to steady the shield among other things.

 

 

[Starise]

Are "WE" not often the enemy as well?

[Starise]

Hi Dennis,

 Yes I believe these beings are powerful, but their power pales in comparison to the other side. In fact there is no comparison IMHO.

They appear to only weld power if we give it to them in our own lives as believers. The unsaved are certainly most exposed.

They have had thousands of years to figure us out and they know us probably better than we know ourselves.

So far as thoughts. My ideas on it would only be theories. I see our thoughts as being the language of the spirit world. Some conversations are private and some are public. I don't claim to know how it all works, but I think it probably is possible for the other side to have access at times. We already know God sees all and hears all.

When we are tempted, I see that like looking out the window of your house and seeing something outside. We have the choice to either close the curtains or open the door and let it in. Of course, if we are busy for the Lord we don't have time to look out the window.

[Dennis1209]

12 hours ago, Selah7 said:

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

- Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)

This tells me that in order to stand, we must bind the truth of God's Word tightly around our waists like a belt. The war of the end times, I believe, will be spiritual, and, imo, it will be filled with lots of trickery and dishonesty.  That is why Jesus warns us over and over not to be deceived.  And we won't be because God's TRUTH will hold us together and protect us from deception. We will be able to discern fraud and not be misled if we know what to expect because we have studied and God has already foretold us all things, right?  This, I believe, is how Christians will stand in the latter times.

 

in Christ, Selah 

 

 

Well said Selah,

If I may add another thought? In Matthew 24 Jesus talks about the end-times, not once, twice, or three times; but four times He warns us not to be deceived. Mentioning something four times is sure to grab our attention and take notice. Deception is the first of a list of things we are looking for. 

I am old enough to remember and compare yesteryear with today when I can remember anyway. The fake and lying news media of today that shape opinions and votes are no longer objective news reporting, it is called propaganda. The number of intentional and proven lies coming out of government talking heads. The lies on television-radio commercials, celebrities promoting falsehoods trying to get into your pocket. The number of scammers constantly bombarding your phone trying to deceive us. 

Last and not the least of which, so many churches of today promote a false Gospel, the inclusion of women clergy and homosexual pastors and acceptance of the lifestyle, prosperity gospels, etc. The lukewarm and Laodicean churches of today compared to only a few decades ago.

When we begin to see these things, it makes me think how fast things will become much worse? 

[Riverwalker]

The picture God has given me is of a rock in the river.  I do (or have done) a lot of hiking and on more than one occasion I have found myself at the top of a waterfall.  where there is a river that is simply flowing until it drops.

Invariable before the water goes over the falls, there is a rock....and the water bashes into it dramatically. The rock does not move, it does not waver....it stands.  Sure the water smooths it out a bit, but that is a good thing

God has called me to be a rock in the river....to be there and stand in that river there are the lost and the "semi-saved" (for lack of a better world, the people who have reached out to God but have no yet found the way.

And my job is to stand there to be an impediment to those who would without thought plunge over the falls in hopes they can change their mind, and to be there as a hand hold for the Christians who have been carried away. To stand for the truth and take everything the water has to throw at me in hopes that someone might find away to avoid the plunge.

Jesus describes us a light on a Hill to shine His light to draw people to Him

Indeed having done all....to stand.