It’s a real battlefield out there. A battlefield that’s not seen with our natural eyes. And like it or not, you and I are caught up in the fray.
Today’s spiritual landscape is littered with bad information, loose doctrines, liturgical land mines, and the wounded remains of disillusioned lives.
And by now, you may have realized that you have a spiritual battlefield within yourself, as well.
As these days of evil come swiftly upon us, they bring onto the scene many spiritual pitfalls to fall into, and precarious places to navigate. Distracting us from the truth. Tempting us with feel-good ideas. Taxing our spiritual resources.
And the struggles are bound to become even more intense as we live out these final days of the church age.
So how can we keep our spiritual boats afloat, in such angry seas of religious rebellion? Even more, how can we stay stable enough to launch out that “life boat” of God’s grace to others, amidst the turning tides before us?
In Ephesians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul instructs us to put on the full armor of God. Our days are filled with evil, just as it was in Paul’s day.
And as we approach the last hours in these last days, the fight is on. Being insufficiently armored these days could be a suicide mission.
Once freed from the bonds of a sinful past, should we now return to our old weaknesses? Or attempt to fight the good fight with less than God’s best defenses? No. Never.
At this critical time, when so many, and so much is at stake, you and I must know our enemies within—as well as without—and effectively guard against them.
WHEN WE ARE OFFENDED
“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
Matthew 11:2-6
The Greek word for “offended” here is “skandalizo.” It means to entrap, to trip up, to entice to sin— a stumbling block or impediment in the way. Its from this word that we have our English word, “scandal.”
It’s hard for us to imagine John the Baptist in such a frame of mind, as he seems to question the validity of Jesus as the Christ. Before this, John was proclaiming Jesus as Christ to any and all who would listen.
But remember—John had been brought very low, from the freedoms and the familiarities of open ministry, to a dark and lonely prison cell. Now, John found himself asking, “Are you really the one?”
In that dark and lonely place, satan planted the seed of doubt in John’s mind, hoping the personal offense would grow like a vine—from the seed of doubt within the mind of John, into a life-choking scandal throughout the land.
And if John wasn’t immune from such offenses, why should we expect to be?
What do we imagine in our dark places of hardship? What questions arise from our own sufferings?
Lord, are you really my Healer? Can I trust you to be my Provider? Why did this happen to me?
Are you the One, or should I look for another?
Look around—how many people do you know, who have gone looking for some other god? One with lower expectations. More inclusive. One less controversial. One who always gives what is expected.
A god that isn’t so….offensive.
Is it possible that their falling away from faith all started with a doubt?
Let us remember that this could happen to any one of us. It is imperative that we continually read the Word of God, with a submissive attitude, allowing the Lord to renew our minds.
And when it comes to being offended, think about your church family. We need to remember that to be offended at a brother or sister in Christ is to be offended at Christ. Anything that puts a division between you and another family member, will also disrupt any proper communications between you and the Head of the family.
You or I may have seen or heard something, or believed something about a brother or sister. It may be true enough, or it may just be imagined. Nonetheless, we’ve allowed some offense to live and grow within us.
Satan adores the offended one. The disillusioned one. The angry one. The bitter one. And all of the envy and strife that stirs in an unforgiving soul. It’s the perfect ground to plant a seed of scandal.
Brothers and sisters, we are immersed in a fight—a battle for the souls of this world—and we must stay focused.
If offenses do raise their ugly heads, be the first one to quickly and gracefully forgive—so that you can maintain your walk of freedom and grace with your Heavenly Father. And if needed, have a quiet, private word of disagreement with someone.
Get it out in the open—out in the Light. Forgive, and trust that God will sort things out.
Don’t allow that seed to grow.
WHEN WE ARE FEARFUL
As I look out my window, it’s a beautiful day here in Florida. Sunshine. Brilliant blue sky. Crisp morning air.
But then I turn on the news, and I’m suddenly reminded that spiritual darkness is all around me. It’s a kind of darkness that I have never seen in my lifetime. Thick and pervasive. Sorrowful. And at times, terrifying.
But should you or I be afraid of our sinful, fallen world? Or of what man might do to us?
Curiously, the Bible doesn’t go into addressing that sort of fear much. But instead, it puts the focus upon the real issue: the fear of God.
It seems that being fearful of evil is for a fallen world without Christ, not for those who have placed their very lives into his care.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
his praise endureth for ever.”
Psalms 111:10
Through this verse, we understand that the proper fear of God (respecting God’s authorship and authority over all of creation) is the beginning of wisdom.
But if we turn that around, we should also understand that the fear of man (or the evil in this world) would be the beginning of confusion. Or lots of other ideas and attitudes that counter God’s eternal purposes.
If I’m not filled with Godly fear (a sense of awe and great respect for all that He is) then I’m soon filled with some other fear. Fear of the darkness of my world, or of my own present circumstances.
Some other fear is always going to fill that void of the absence of Godly fear.
“{A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
Psalms 27:1,4-5
“Whom shall I fear?” Isn’t that the choice each of us makes, each new morning? Let’s make up our minds to fear the only One who is worthy of such attention and awe—our awesome Creator.
“I SHALL NOT FEAR!” There, I’ve said it—spoken boldly, from my very comfortable and safe office space. 🙂 But can you or I go out and actually face this evil world with full assurance, even boldness, no matter what the circumstances?
We can, but never in our own strength. We need to remain conscious of the fact that the presence and the power of the mighty Holy Spirit goes with us wherever we go. Leading us, guiding us, protecting us—and, should we find ourselves in a situation that is terrifying— granting us unshakable courage and strength.
WHEN WE ARE FAINTHEARTED
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,
this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
James 1:22-25
Are you tired of trying to do things for Christ? Do you ever just feel like giving up? Are you exhausted from fighting the good fight, and yet still feeling like the loser? It happens to the best of us.
But a heart that has lost its sense of victory will never be soothed by mere numbers. Joining some consensus of those who have backed away from pressing into Christ’s kingdom, won’t heal the pain and disappointment in your own heart.
The verse above explains that the fainthearted one is the forgetful hearer. Forgetting his or her many blessings, since coming to know the Lord. Forgetting his or her great debt to the Lord of Lords, for life itself. Forgetting to be thankful in all things. Forgetting to love others through all things.
At best, forgetting can lead us on a rabbit trail, where it will take time and effort to get back to where we need to be. At its worst, forgetting becomes a cycle of hearing truth on Sunday morning, forgetting it on Sunday afternoon, and feeling heavy and discouraged by Monday morning.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
The fainthearted one in a race is often the injured one—the dismayed or discouraged one. The angry one—the bitter one. Most of us would never admit these feelings to others. But our God is not surprised by any of them.
You or I could just keep that weight on us, pretending to go through the motions of serving God, with our hearts not in it. We always have that choice.
Or we can choose to consider the very Source of our faith and purpose. Looking unto Jesus, who endured all, to make all things possible for us.
As we run our race, we must keep Jesus in our vision—daring to look at Him, as He endured His shameful death, for the joy that would surely follow.
Because in reality, we—you and me—were that joy set before Him. We were the joy that caused Jesus to willingly give Himself away!
The Lord of All died, so that we would finish for the win. Why would we run with a weary heart?
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10
You and I have a great opportunity within our season of time, to reap, if we don’t give in to faintheartedness. If you find yourself in this condition, please know that it is not fatal to your faith. It can surely be overcome. Take a rest, regroup if needed.
Just don’t let discouragement stop you.
Catch a new vision of Christ in you, as He goes out before you. He’s run this race, and He’s paved the way.
And every time you do something good, you are running right behind Him, as He joyfully leads you in His strength and power.
WHEN WE ARE FOOLISH
I’ve certainly had my foolish moments. Oh yes. Regrettably.
Foolishness in the Bible doesn’t seem to be deliberate sin, but more of a character flaw. Solomon, in Proverbs, uses the term “simple’ (silly-minded). The Apostle Paul chides the Galatian church with, “Oh foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth?”
A moment of foolishness is a decision that overrides the truth—God’s sound wisdom or judgement, according to His word. Foolish moments, one after the other without counteracting them with truth, results in foolish thinking.
And foolish thinking leads to actions, attitudes or words that the devil will use to hurt others. Because with foolish thinking comes a lack of consideration (thoughtlessness or carelessness) in our attitudes toward others.
Foolishness may stem from deeper roots, masking true feelings of pain or disappointment. Or even some sense of inadequacy in ourselves.
We are flawed in character, and have the potential for foolishness. But knowing and applying Godly wisdom to our character builds us up against such entrapments.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
James 1:5
None of us should be shy about asking for God’s protective wisdom. Wisdom is an essential piece of armor, that we all must have squarely in place over our flesh.
“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”
Psalms 26:2
In the Psalms, David calls out to the Lord: “Try my reigns” (my mind, my innermost being) “and my heart.” We must sit before God, and allow Him to draw out our wrong thoughts and attitudes, so that they may be washed away by His truth.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Circumspectly” defines the direction of a life laid down in wisdom: discretion, watchfulness, caution, carefulness, sound judgements, forethought, consideration, etc. The days that we live in are more evil than ever before. We just can’t walk through life thoughtlessly.
Let us be reminded of Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things… Who can know it?” We really can’t go with our heart, or our feelings, without God. Thankfully, we have a wise and thoughtful Holy Spirit within us. Guarding and guiding us well—if we will listen well.
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”
2 Peter 1:19
Sometimes our foolish thoughts and actions may simply be the product of an over-active ego, that usually resides in a spiritual blind spot. A little dark place, where one won’t allow the light in.
So let the day dawn, and the Morning Star arise in every heart. Let’s be blinded by His brilliance, as we bask in a righteous humility!
And the foolishness of our hearts will soon lose its fuel source.
WHEN WE ARE DOUBLE-MINDED
We live in a world that’s more divided than ever. And for those of us who stand on the truth, it’s getting harder to stand there without being pushed and provoked. So it’s no wonder that Christ’s servants, at times, may be tempted to serve two masters.
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 16:13
In this verse, Jesus explains that a two-mastered servant isn’t even possible. So when anyone of us attempts to live this way, at best, we open the door for a lot of frustration and disorder. And at worst, we end up walking at a precarious distance from our Master.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
James 4:8
Imagine double-mindedness as a big rock in your road. It’s a deterrent to any real progress. It can be hazardous. And it will always block your vision.
Double-minded people lack a true vision of God’s purpose for their lives. The double minded become double-blinded—not really knowing their own heart, yet not fully trusting God’s own heart for their life, either.
A lack of any sure direction causes further confusion. He or she then tends towards a half-heartedness in their walk—wandering in one direction, or the other. One day, encouraged and on fire for God—the next, discouraged and wanting to quit.
We would expect this kind of inconsistency of the unbelieving world around us, who do not have the Lord’s guidance. But this is not God’s purpose for the righteous and mind-renewed believer in Christ.
In this world we live in, Christ’s servants cannot afford to walk with such conflicted thinking and misdirection. But thankfully, our God provides the armor.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19
Wow. The riches of His glory! To be strengthened with His might in the inner man! Rooted and grounded in love! Comprehending the limitless fathoms of Almighty God’s plans for us!
When you and I catch God’s true vision, by remaining in the truth of His Word, He pulls us from the ditch of our own wondering and waffling imaginations. He causes us to be centered. Serious. Single-minded, as our minds are filled with all the fullness of God in Christ!
Thank you, Lord! When I am filled with your fullness, there is no longer any room for my own half-hearted or scattered reasonings. And I’m enabled—empowered—to become a loyal servant.
WHEN WE ARE DOUBTFUL
“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Matthew 14:29-30
Let’s be real. We all have fears and doubts along this road of life we’re living. And that is why we always give poor Peter a pass. After all, he did momentarily walk on water.
So, let’s put ourselves in Peter’s sandals. Imagine that you’ve just stepped out in faith. You’ve asked your Lord for an opportunity, and He has confirmed it by saying “Come.” You joyfully step out of the “boat”—your safe zone—to boldly heed His command.
But it doesn’t take long for the “wind” (other voices besides the Lord’s) to drown out the echo of His command. And the “waves” (the problems coming at you) make you question why you dared to get out of that boat. Suddenly, you find yourself in way over your head. What happened?
“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Matthew 14:31
In the natural, “seeing is believing” world, faith in Christ becomes the unnatural position. You’re believing for things that cannot yet be seen. Hoping for things only expected, without any visible evidence. And it’s by your faith.
It’s a move that no one is fully expecting, by a person who is spirited and spurred on by God, to do something “impossible.”
And none of us has the right or the resources to take such steps of faith, without God’s express permission. We simply ask. And—if it’s in His expressed will for your life—He joyfully says, “Come.”
But doubt acts as a deterrent. A disbelief.
“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled?
and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
Luke 24:36-39
Simply put, thoughts of doubt keeps us out. Out of the truth. Out of the blessing. Out of the will of God. It holds us back from something God is attempting to bring us into—and prevents us from becoming the person whom God wants us to be.
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
James 4:15-17
Doubt can separate us from God’s purposes—right now, while the battle to believe is fully on! Doubt causes us to retreat from what we know we should be doing, or it causes us to turn to doing something else. That something else can be sin. Or it can be something that seems good, in our own way of thinking.
Going forward self-confidently, in our own self-made plans, is simply misplaced trust. We might seem energetic and fruitful to those around us. But if we’re not going forward in God’s purposes for our lives, we aren’t really trusting in God and His plans. Instead, we have decided to trust ourselves.
Peter had to learn from his mistakes. And though we sometimes fail the tests of faith, if we can learn from those mistakes, we will turn from those mistakes. This will keep doubt from becoming a stronghold.
Let your righteous faith and trust—in The One who has called you to “Come”—overthrow any tendencies to doubt and distrust. Every day—every moment—take God at His Word.
WHEN WE ARE PRIDEFUL
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18
From this verse, it appears that pride has a destabilizing effect on the wearer. When he otherwise may have stood firm, he suddenly and seriously falls, and crumbles. The ancient Greek word for “pride” is pretty revealing: “inconsistent, unsettled, disorderly.” But I would add, “unwise, unstable, and unforgiving.”
Spiritually, pride is an arrogant prince. He is not a king—but he’d sure like to be one—as he attempts to usurp the real King’s place and authority.
The prideful believer has convinced himself he is something, or someone, that he’s not. That he is better than a mere servant, and instead, should be served.
Jesus had to deal with such unrealistic attitudes with a few of his own close disciples, (Matthew 23:10-12) as he lovingly corrected them, “He who would be the first among you, must first be servant of all.”
“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
James 4:5-8
This verse tells us plainly that God resists the proud, but gives grace (acceptance) to the humble. What is the lesson here, to the wise hearer? He who is prideful in heart will get passed over. But God can and surely will use the humble for His glory.
If we will be careful to keep a humble attitude before our Creator, He will be careful to remember our trusting heart that we’ve placed into His care. He will lift us up.
You don’t have to strive in your own strength to get somewhere. Or imagine yourself to be someone special, in order to succeed. You ARE special!
Even with flaws, you are exactly the person God wanted as He created you, and thought out your whole life for you. His purposes were set in motion when you believed in Him, by putting your faith in Christ Jesus.
God knows what He’s doing—so we can let Him do the planning and the placing. And the promoting.
And we can check our pride at the Door.
STANDING STRONG AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMY
I love chapter 6 of Ephesians, as the Apostle Paul exhorts us to put on the full armor of God. That we might stand against the “wiles” (the trickery and snares that lie in wait) of the devil. But I’m often at a loss as to how to actually “put on” the implements of this spiritual armor.
Thankfully, the Lord recently directed me to Ephesians chapter 5:15-21. When read in conjunction with Paul’s exhortation to “armor up” in chapter 6, chapter 5:15-21 becomes a practical and powerful daily application for armor wearers:
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Ephesians 5:15-21
1. WALK circumspectly (accurately, thoughtfully) Not foolishly walking through this life, but relying on God’s own wisdom.
2. REDEEM the time (to buy up, ransom, rescue from loss). Restructuring, reordering, rethinking our time—with a new appreciation for the value of time—because the days we live in are times of evil.
3. UNDERSTANDING (awakened and aware, discerning, piously and purposely considering) the will of our Lord.
4. BE NOT DRUNK (distracted, deadened, or confused) with strong drink (or with any habitual or harmful practices of the flesh). But be filled with the Spirit of God (allowing the Comforter to do His inward work in us).
5. SPEAKING to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and with spiritual songs unto the Lord. Bringing us into the Holy presence of our King, far above our circumstances (not under them,) as we warfare in worship and song. Satan hates true worship on so many levels. We should not underestimate the power that our worship has against him.
6. GIVING THANKS always for all things, unto God and the Father. (Being a thankful servant, and a grateful worker. This is our powerful weapon of thanksgiving!)
7. SUBMITTING ourselves one to another in the fear (deep respect) of God. (Submitting: subordinate, a willing obedience, to come under, subdue oneself, or be put in subjection to). Our meekness is never weakness, but a God-given ability to trust our fellow members in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:16 proclaims us to be one body of believers, fitly joined together, and strengthened by what every member supplies to the other. How amazing! How practical, and yet so powerful! It’s warfare, won in everyday practices of Christ-centered living.
The world can’t understand it. The darkness only fears it. And we have every right and privilege to embrace it.
This is kingdom living, brought to life by King Jesus himself, through the power and the presence of his mighty Holy Spirit! Protecting his own. Defending us. Fortifying his awaiting bride, against the pitfalls of a failing world.
Yes, there will be some testings of our faith—and even some fiery trials along the way—as we are tried and tempered, and finally brought forth as gold!
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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 6:10-12
Wiles of the devil? Spiritual wickedness? Fiery darts? It’s a real battlefield out there.
But you’ve got this, friend—if you’ve purposed armor your life with God’s most holy defenses. And if you’ve decided to fight along side the greatest Warrior who ever lived.
Our Lord Jesus fought for our very freedom, upon that battlefield of his cross. AND WON! Now armor up, mighty warrior!
Fully armor up! Face the battle.
And watch your enemies flee.