A Battle Worth Fighting

Satan, the chief opponent of God, has many names. He is the Accuser, the Adversary, and the Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Beelzebub, and Belial. He is the little “g” god of this world, the Murderer, the Old serpent in the Garden of Eden, and the Prince of demons. He is the prince of the power of the air, the ruler of darkness, the wicked one, and he is the Lion that roars about seeking whom it may devour. Not only does have many names but Satan also has designs to destroy humankind’s relationship with God.

Satan is creative in his design to destroy humankind. He seeks to undo God’s work. He seeks to make humankind turn away from God. He seeks ways to instigate evil. He seeks ways to secure humankind’s worship away from God and to him. Not only is Satan creative but he is also systematic and methodical.

Satan is systematic and methodical. He disguises himself. He insinuates doubt. He misuses and misquotes Scriptures. He uses schemes and attack Christians in whatever way he can think is possible. Now that we know who our enemy is now we can see why he wants to fight us.

HOW DO WE FIGHT IN THIS BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING

How do we fight in this battle worth fighting? The answer to the question is very simple. We fight this spiritual battle and fight in well by wearing the right battle gear. We cannot fight this battle just any old kind of way or with just any old kind of thinking. We must have on the right uniform for spiritual battle. We cannot be half-dressed or underdressed but we must be fully dressed for when we fight against the enemy. WE MUST BE GIRDED WITH TRUTH. WE MUST HAVE THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. WE MUST WALK WITH PEACE AND SEEK PEACE WHENEVER WE CAN GET IT. WE HAVE FAITH IN OUR HEARTS AND FAITH ON OUR MINDS AND FAITH IN OUR FOCUS. WE MUST TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION BY WHICH JESUS CHRIST PAID THE PRICE FOR US THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS-AND HIS RISING FROM THE DEAD. TAKE THE WORD OF GOD THAT CUTS LIKE A TWO-EDGED SWORD AND GET READY FOR BATTLE. FINALLY PRAY ALWAYS IN THE SPIRIT. Now that we know how to fight let us see what we will receive while we are fighting this battle.

WHAT WE RECEIVE IN THIS BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING

Now I must tell you about what we receive when we fight this battle worth fighting and why Satan wants to stop us from fighting the battle. We who are in Christ receive a community with one another. Yes, there are some times when no one else understands what is happening with one but you are never alone. God is always there hearing, seeing, and being concerned about our livelihood and situations. We never have to travel life’s roads by ourselves. We, Christians are brought together by our sharing in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God does not care about what side of the tracks we were reared. God does not care about whether we came from a poor economic background or a rich economic background. God does not care about whether we are male or female or whether we are Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American. God amazingly loves and cares for you in spite of our backgrounds and communities. Belonging to Christ, we have a responsibility to build up this Christian community. We have a responsibility to be productive members of this body. In the community of God, there are no big “Is” or little “Us”. Each person counts in this community. God gives each person spiritual gifts, talents, and skills. This Christian life is a life to be lived in and with community.