Is it really a war if one side doesn’t show up to fight or defend? Asking for a friend ;- ) …as we now continue on from yesterday. 

 Paul was pretty specific there (2 Cor. 10:3-5)…when he points out that these ‘weapons’ that God provides are not carnal or fleshly. And we don’t…engage in warfare in the same manner in which we do in the natural realm, whether you are waring against hostile nations, or …a cranky neighbor or relative or co-worker at the office. 

 Paul also adds that these weapons are ‘mighty’, meaning…they work effectively. Might be a good idea to learn how to use them given the fact we are in the middle of war zone whether you want to believe that or not. 

 I don’t think we can repeat this reminder enough either that “ we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” (Eph. 6:12) 

 It can be easy for secular minded non-believers to have these convenient ‘labels’ to explain or dismiss ‘spiritual realities’. For example, if we are going to not even consider the possibility of there being a spiritual component to the variety of problems that plague mankind today, then we have to get clever and come up with new labels. When you read through the gospels, look how often Jesus got the heart of the issue and ‘drove out unclean spirits’. As in ‘demons’. That kind of talk falls flat today in our modern, ‘educated’ world. My goodness, that kind of talk is unsettling in most churches who were supposed to be empowered to deal with such matters. 

 I’ve said it here the past few days and I will say it again. We are in an active war zone. This means there will be conflict and that we have a real ‘enemy’. An enemy, I might remind you that we need not fear. (Matt. 10:28). Peter tells us plainly who this enemy is- Satan. (1 Pet. 5:8). Paul reminds us that we are not unaware or ignorant of his devices and schemes either. (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11). And if you choose to ignore this enemy, it will be to your own peril. Ignoring your enemy during a war zone, be it spiritual or natural, would be foolish and most likely lead to your captivity and/or eventual death. 

 Have I mentioned before how serious this all is? 

 Unlike strategies and weapons used in physical warfare, God kind of simplifies this for us in the spiritual realm. I don’t know about you, but I personally like ‘simple’. Just not a big fan of complication and minute intricacies. If the outcome of these battles of warfare were dependent on our strength and skill, you can see where it would be easy to get puffed up and think we were the ones doing all this. Which is why it is all by His grace alone that we overcome. 

 Remember how God reminded the people that ‘the battle is not yours, but the Lords’? (2 Chron. 20:15). Also, tapping back in to the story where the Israelites first crossed over the Jordan to go in and possess the land, in their first ‘conflict’, we read where God had Jericho lined up as the first enemy to fall in defeat. And if you are familiar with that story, it is quite evident that it was not by their might or power that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. It was by the Spirit of God Himself who brought it to ruins.(Zech. 4:6) There would be no place or room for ‘flesh to glory’. (1 Cor. 1:29; Joshua 6). The Israelites basically just had to do what God told them to do, which was march around the city. What a novel concept…to obey God, is it not? Seems so simple…yet so hard for many of us to actually do. 

 So when we encounter these tests and trials we are told will come…what did James tell us our attitude should be? “Count it all joy”. (James 1:2). There is no need to flex your muscles or gather up your 'guns’. All you are asked to do in order to experience victory can be summed up on one word: “resist”. (James 4:7, 1 Pet. 5:9) 

 And when we resist, we are told the enemy will do what ____? (James 4:7) Now you may wonder how long those periods of testing’s, temptations, and resisting will last? God only knows…I guess it would be safe to say until God says the test is over. But He will not forsake you in the time of that testing…He will be right there with you IF…you are abiding in Him. Those three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3 might be able to tell you something about that. If you read there in James where we are advised to do this resisting…we are also encouraged to ‘draw near to God and God will draw near to us’. (James 4:8). I mean…really…is there any other place you would want to be in times like this? (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). This has a way of making you grow more dependent on Him. 

 Oh…you should also make note of this. During these times of testing and resisting, you may experience some ‘suffering’. In fact, you most likely will. But it is not the kind of suffering we tend to have some knee jerk reaction of paranoia to like getting a cancer diagnosis or being in a violent car crash. The kind of suffering you may endure as you stand in the grace and presence of the Holy Spirit in whom you are abiding in…will be that ‘old man’, or your ‘flesh nature’ that is being put to death. (Rom. 8:13) But don’t stress over this…that old man will whine and beg you to ease up and make deals and promise to behave better. Don’t listen to him. He has to die. And you are not going to suffer to the point of ‘shedding blood’ like Jesus did for you when He went to His cross. (Heb. 12:4) But we will have our own measure of non-physical suffering when we bear out own cross as well. 

 You can also be assured of this…He knows what it is like to go through these trials as He did Himself and never sinned. Guess what…He’s willing to come and help you as well in your time of testing. (Heb. 2:18; 4:15). That is why we are invited to come with confidence before His throne of grace in our time of need…and He will supply you enough grace as well to overcome. (Heb. 4:16) 

 I can also tell you that during those times, you won’t look real good, or so the enemy will try to convince you. I doubt those Israelites looked impressive as the folks from Jericho looked down on them just marching around day after day without saying a word. But there is a purpose in all that God asks of us to do, even it if is not clear to you at the time. Guess that is why we are told to ‘lean not in our own understanding’. 

 Remember…these tests we face are two-fold in that they designed by God to reveal our hearts as to whether we will obey Him or not. (Deut. 8:2; 1 Thess. 2:4). And they are used to purify and cleanse our hearts of all that is contrary to the nature can character of God. (James 1:2-4). It would seem we forget the purpose of the process at times. We like to quote just part of Rom. 8:28 telling ourselves and others that ‘all things work together for the good’ (oftentimes omitting that part about ‘for those who love God’) and then continuing on to the next verse that says we are being conformed to the image of Christ who is/was the ‘firstborn of many brethren’. 

 You do remember that we all have these corrupt, sin-filled and flesh natured hearts that make it pretty hard to fulfill the great command of loving others as Christ loved us. How are we going to do that without having His nature in us? That part about us needing to ‘decrease so He might increase in us’…(John 3:30)…yeah…that is not some metaphor. That is the plan. 

 Application Time- Think of a person who has just always rubbed you the wrong way. There was probably some offense that occurred and left you slightly wounded. This is not a person you would want to have a meal with and embrace and call ‘friend’. You might tell yourself you have forgiven them, but the thought of praying for them and wanting to see God’s blessing on their life would not be a blip on your radar. So now you have a true desire to actively pursue this ‘abiding in Christ-thing’ having surrendered your whole heart to Him. 

 You find yourself in a simple setting talking with others and this person’s name comes up in the conversation. It seems this person is not a favorite of others as well as the snarky comments begin to flow out berating this person who is not even present there in the room. In the past, you would have chimed in and been a part of the ‘dogpile’. And it’s no secret, you have a few things to say as well. That is, until you look up and ‘see Jesus’ who is looking at you…maybe with His arms crossed, eyebrow up and head tilted waiting to see how you respond. Remember that time Jesus was taken bound and Peter was standing by that fire when the ‘heat was turned up’ and he denied knowing Jesus? Check out Luke 22:60-61. 

 You now have a choice…you can resist that urge to join in with the backbiting and gossip and tearing down of a person, or you can chime in one more time with an unpleasant or positive contribution because…well, you know, you are not perfect and can always ask for forgiveness later. And God understands, right? Time to ‘bring into captivity Every thought to the obedience of Christ’. (2 Cor. 10:5) 

 It’s a test. The fire is being turned up and backbiting and gossiping is not demonstrating the kind of love and nature that Jesus had…and commands us to demonstrate as well. IF you choose to resist that enemy who is luring you in…you may feel some discomfort. You may not look good if prompted to quietly get up and leave the conversation as you pray silently for that person being spoken evil of. The test taking place here is you get to prove you love God more than you love that fleshly sin of backbiting and backstabbing which is so unbecoming of a true follower of Jesus. These things should ‘not even be named among us’.(Eph.5:3; 1 Pet.1:15) But should you humble yourself in that moment, God’s grace will empower you to do just like Jesus would do as you ‘die to self’. (James 4:6-7)

 But here’s the encouraging part…later shared by Peter with us all: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will come and perfect…establish…strengthen and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10). Oh, I also feel compelled to mention that you don’t have to even personally know that person who is drawing all the hate filled words. Why do we feel compelled to let all that ugly fruit flow out of us when it comes to public discussions (or FB postings) of politicians and such? Judge not, lest you be judged and with the same measure you judge others. (Matt. 7:1-2) 

 There’s more…join me tomorrow?