Sometimes I forget that I am fighting a battle. I forget that the enemy is at war, and I am his opponent, the one out for attack, the one he wants to see fail.
What happens when the opposer isn't ready for battle? Trojan Horse..sneak attack?
How can we win a battle we aren't fighting? If you were face-to-face with the devil right now, would you say, "ok, you win. i'm too tired to fight?" Absolutely not. p.s that face-to-face with the devil thing..it happens every day..the sneak attack thing..yeah that too. But if we are not fighting, praying, learning scripture, preparing ourselves for battle..I promise we are gonna loose every time.
Satan's desire is to strip everything good from you, to make you believe that what he offers is real and satisfying, to make you feel self-sufficient and happy momentarily, then rip that magic carpet right out from under you and prince Aladin (or princess Jasmine)..and laugh as you're falling - poor you, feeling guilty, embarrassed and lost, knowing you can't survive the fall if you make it to the bottom..I guess in that moment, it's much easier to say, "Lord, Lord I love you, save me."
If I'm a long distance runner who doesn't train, what am I?..slow, out of shape, incapable of winning a race.
If I'm a half-blind book reader who doesn't wear glasses, what am I?..blind!
I obviously can't read the book on my own..I need help! I obviously can't win the race from eating chips and ice-cream and not exercising..I need self-control! ..I'm a Christian who doesn't pray. A follower of Jesus who isn't following because I don't read scripture consistently enough to remind me what to follow. A peace-maker who can't make peace because I feel unsettled. A lover who cannot love because my attitude is too selfish and sour as I ponder all my own problems.
So let's do some clean-up. You and God. Me and God. Because, Christian, I know you'd agree:
We have something worth fighting for...
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Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. -Ephesians 6:11
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. -Ephesians 6:13-15
