This may seem obvious but have you ever considered that you can’t win the battle (typically against – fill in the blank) unless you are willing to fight? Until you take your stand (make sure that it’s as much FOR something as against something else) and intentionally become a warrior that nothing will ever be accomplished – it will only remain an ‘out there’. What, for you, is worth your effort? What will cause you to stay in for the long term?
We DO need to know what it is we are fighting so we don’t spend our energies in wasted actions. Having fought such battles many times, I finally came to the understanding that unless and until I was willing to be and do what was necessary, that I’d never be victorious. Words cost us very little, it’s the actions that speak.
“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 host of wickedness in the heavenly
places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Simultaneously, we need to remember 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God
for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every
high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing
every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
When we made Jesus our Lord, we enlisted in an army and became enemies of the devil (principalities, powers, rulers). But our Commander wins! The only thing stopping a complete victory is that He doesn’t want anyone not to have the opportunity to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). In the meantime, we are to fight. We may be battered, but we always win. And this should be our mindset – that we will overcome.
As with any army, there are always those who have the responsibility to lead but there is also an equal responsibility in following. Paul taught (1 Corinthians 9:7) “Who ever goes to war at his own expense?” And, (2 Timothy 2:3) “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” If we didn’t enter this war at our own expense then it follows that we will be led and clothed by our Commander. Never forget:
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him
who loved us.” (Romans 8: 37)
It takes enormous strength to believe we are who we have been made, but it takes even more strength to act on this. Never forget the admonition Jesus said in Luke 9:62. This can be a standard to judge how we act.
