You’ve Been Drafted. Prepare for Battle!

The battle is on!

The Lord’s Army must head into battle

Yes. I’m just old enough to remember a song from my VBS (Vacation Bible School) days that required us to march in place and salute while singing about a battle in God’s army. No, we don’t shoot artillery, but make no mistake: we are at war.

COVID is not the scariest enemy we battle

The last few years have been crazy. We’ve been in a battle against a virus, but that isn’t the biggest danger we face. As the world has focused in on this virus, there has been an uptick in evil. The news focuses our attention elsewhere, and things that should alarm us as Christians go on, unnoticed. Why?

The answer is clear in Eph. 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

The Spiritual Thought Twist here: the battle is on, and we can’t fight it alone. We are not fighting flesh and blood. And we could never win on our own.

When evil becomes commonplace

What we must remember is that a spiritual battle cannot be won on physical terms. Fortunately, the next verses tell us what we need when we suit up to fight evil:

Belt of truth – a belt does more than keep your pants from sagging. As a warrior facing the battle, all your weapons and defenses are hung from your belt. So put truth on FIRST.
Breastplate – Your heart can only be protected with a daily decision for right-living. Use those decisions to build the protection of a breastplate before you step into battle.
Peace – Cover your feet with Peace. A warrior is prepared for battle, but the ultimate goal is to spread peace. So take peace wherever you go – meaning walk softly, but carry a “big stick.”
Defense – In this battle, you will need a strong defense. So grab your shield of faith. We are told in v. 16 that faith is what will “extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Salvation – Salvation comes as a personal relationship with God. If you’ve never made that decision, learn about the most important thing I could ever share with you HERE. Helmets cover your head. Your mind. Your decision-making and thought processes. An ongoing relationship with God will mold and protect these. The enemy loves to play mind games with us. We must suit up and be prepared.
Weapon – Our weapon is singular, but effective. Christ Jesus Himself used Scripture to defeat the enemy’s attack on Him. He quoted the Word. In order to use our Sword effectively, we will have to spend time in it, and we must memorize it so it’s always available to us.

Suit up, my friends! Don’t let the enemy catch you unaware.

PRAYER – USING 4 ASPECTS OF PRAYER

Adore – You, Father God, have provided both protection from the enemy and a means to defeat him. We praise You for your Word that You inspired so many men to write. We relish Your armor that can protect us in the battle.

Admit – Sadly, I’ve let my inability to remember the chapter and verse numbers prevent me from adding to the Scriptures I memorize. Forgive me for using this as an excuse. Christ’s example is clear: speak the Word to stop the attack. Not tell the enemy where to find it in the Book.

Ask – I ask Your clarity of mind as I restart my memorization routine. Give me the Scriptures I will need for the battle to come.

Acknowledge – Thanks upon thanks for Your Word and Your protection in these difficult times. You alone are in control.