Battlefield

Continuing with our Battle Ready series, in the previous post, we talked about the two structured Spiritual Armies that are fighting. Good vs. Evil or Dark vs. Light.  We discussed the fact that both Armies have a General in command of subordinate forces and both Armies have a distinct mission. 

I'm encouraged to know that the Good/Light Army has an extensive comprehensive Mission, which is to Save, Deliver and Protect us from evil and the eternal consequences of sin.  In addition, to eternally destroy all evil and darkness from existence.

Today we are going to talk about the battlefield where this war is taking place.

First, let us define the term Battle.  Battle, often used interchangeably with War, is a violent fight in which Military forces use weapons in order to gain control of something.

A battlefield by extension can be described as the place where this violent fight takes place; it's an unsafe area of conflict. 

I have never been in a physical battlefield of war before, but from what I have seen in movies,  documentaries and news reports, the battlefield is a tense place, there is destruction everywhere, there are big weapons being used to shoot, blow up and destroy.  The whole aim usually is to gain control of something.


Spiritual Battlefield: The War Within

We are now talking about the Spiritual War.  Spiritual wars take place in our minds, the epicenter of our thoughts, imaginations and Will Power(where we make decisions).  Needless to say, our mind is a spiritual battlefield where Light vs. Darkness/Good vs. Evil is fighting for control.

1 Peter 5:8 (CEV) Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.

How do we stay awake spiritually and guard our spirits form the enemy's attack?

1 Peter 5:9(CEV)  But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith...

James 4:7(CEB)  Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.

It is important to realize that the spiritual attacks on our mind, challenging our faith, our beliefs and our moral standards as it pertains to the Statutes/Commandments of God, will come. As Christian solders, we must be aware and ready (on Guard) for the attacks. 

Mental spiritual attacks on our faith, belief and moral standards of God can look like any combination of these thoughts (note the counter attacks/defense necessary to fight back in this spiritual battlefield of our mind):

• You are not committed, why do you even bother with this Christian journey? look at you, this minute you are full of joy/faith and the next you are doubtful and afraid, just give up,  give up and kill yourself, all your worries and pain will stop then.

Resistance/Counter Attack: Matthew 6:23 .... “Satan, get away from me! You’re in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God.”

Psalm 118:17-18 I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.
 The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.

• You are missing out on all the fun in life,relationships, sex, SEX and more sex.  You are missing out!! You probably wont make it to heaven any way! forget all this modest living stuff and go enjoy your life,  after all you only have one life to live/YOLO (You Only Live Once). Everyone is living life except you!

Resistance/Counter Attack: 1 John 2:16-17  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

• Why did I marry him/her? Perhaps if I had waited a little longer my real husband/wife, my soul mate, would have come. Now I'm stuck and I'm not feeling my husband/wife anymore. I'm unsatisfied most of the time and his/her actions annoy me so much! I wish he/she didn't talk so much....shop so much....eat so much...cry so much........ (fill in the blank, so much), then I would have the perfect marriage, just like that couple. I just want to be in eternal bliss. This is NOT what I expected. Why, why, WHY!? can't my husband/Wife be, say, like and do what I want!?

Resistance/Counter Attack: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

                                            Love is kind and patient,

never jealous, boastful,
proud, or  rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
 Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
Love never fails!

We could go on and on with various examples of thoughts attacks to our minds and thinking from the evil army. The point to take away is that we need to armor ourselves spiritually with the word of God for counter attacks and to defend our beliefs in God's word!!

In this spiritual battlefield, always have your spiritual sheild, helmet and sword READY, don't take them off or put them down EVER....

Ephesians 6:16-17 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation AND the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Fountianview Academy Choir and Band

P.S.  On 11/11 every year, the U.S. celebrates and honors all Veterans of War. We appreciate the sacrifice and feedom your service brings.  Happy Veterans Day!!