“battle Ready Series” Series

“Battle ready Series” 2Chronicles 20: 21

There is a battle raging in the spiritual realm. It’s taking place all around you, whether you are a believer or not yet a believer in Jesus Christ. [Explain]

Paul tells us, in our text, to prepare for the battle so I want us to begin a series that we will call “Battle Ready.” My goal is for you/me to see what God expects from us as we, answer 2 questions. Are we ready for the battle and are we even willing to stand and face the enemy?

Flip to [Eph 6:12 NKJV] “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].”

He is saying our battle is not with the person who doesn’t believe like we do or those who ridicule us and belittle us for believing in Jesus Christ or even for questioning His reality… Our battle is not with an out of control government, judicial system or society…our battle is not even physical. Our battle is spiritual warfare.

There are a multitude of belief systems, in the world today, that will tell you the Bible is nothing more than a fantasy book…a book of fairy tales and myths. They want you to believe that Jesus is just one of many ways to get to this place, we as Christians, call heaven. For some it’s simply called Euphoria.

Stormie Omartian, in her book titled; “The Prayer That Changes Everything, The hidden power of praising God” says this: “The most ridiculous thing I ever experienced in my life happened before I became a believer, when I was involved in that New Age religion.”

Let me give you just a tidbit of the New Age belief. They teach that evil does not exist. Evil only exist in the mind so if you can eliminate evil from your mind there will be no evil in your life. In other words, JUST STOP THINKING THOSE EVIL THOUGHTS. Look at your crystal hanging from your mirror and be happy.

If there is evil happening in someone’s life, New Ager’s will explain it like this; “They must have had evil in their minds, thereby attracting evil to themselves.”

WAIT A MINUTE!!! That is a circular argument. You cannot say there is no evil and say that they had evil in their minds and that’s why evil is happening to them…

Stormie goes on to say; “When I received the Lord and learned that I had a real enemy, it was such an enormous relief…Suddenly everything made sense…

The enemy had me right he wanted me. I couldn’t see him. I didn’t recognize him. I didn’t believe he even existed. So he was free to do whatever he wanted in my life because I couldn’t identify him.”

The Word of God clearly tells us in, [1Pe 5:8-9 NKJV] “8 Be sober, be vigilant;[keep a clear mind…stay focused] because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” [brackets added]

Peter is saying that we are to get “Battle Ready.” So this morning, as we begin our series, I want to share with you some things that will help us as we prepare ourselves for the battle.

1. Realize you have an enemy and it is not be who you think it is.

Your enemy is not the banker who holds the mortgage you struggle to pay.

Your enemy is not your unbelieving spouse…sibling…child or friend.

Your enemy is not your not yet saved boss or your co-workers.

Your enemy is not that opinionated, self-righteous, judgmental so-called “”Christian.”

Your enemy is not your out of control neighbor or the guy selling drugs on your street.

Your enemy is not even that family member who sells your son/daughter or your grandchild their prescription pain meds, which is just as bad as the street corner drug dealer in my book.

Your enemy is not even a person…READ VERSE 12. Not once does Paul say that our adversary is human…Your enemy is the devil, who may be working in and through all those people who make your life miserable BUT they are not the enemy and fighting with them is a waste of time and energy. This is a remarkable strategy the devil uses to divert your attention away from the real enemy.

2. The enemy will attack you where you are most vulnerable.

If drugs and alcohol are not a problem for you the devil won’t use them against you. He may use people who are addicted to these things to attack you because he can get you off course and out of God’s will.