We Are At War

It is almost football season.  I love watching SEC and NFL football games.  I enjoy keeping up with what is happening in football.  Several of us guys (and one gal) play in a fantasy football league.  It is competitive, but mostly it is just about camaraderie.

Football coaches are criticized in certain circles for using military terminology.  Coaches say “every game is a war.”  They use words like blitz, bomb, trenches, field general, gunners, position battle, weapons, neutral zone, and war room when talking football.  The critics say enough with all this military lingo about a football game.  Real war is life and death.

It is readily evident in God’s holy word that there is war between God and Satan.  A monumental war between good and evil, light and darkness, and life and death.  These two powerful forces have diametrically opposed goals.  God loves His special creation made in His image.  It is God’s desire that everyone have a relationship with Him and live with Him forever.  That is why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for mankind’s sins.  In striking contrast, Satan wants individuals to be lost and eternally separated from God.  Satan uses all sorts of tricks and tactics to try and make that happen.

Satan and Jesus had their battle in the wilderness where Jesus prevailed against Satan. Jesus found strength in scriptures to resist Satan’s temptations.  Jesus was victorious over Satan with His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.  The Book of Revelation describes how the great spiritual war ultimately ends with Satan’s permanent defeat.  That outcome is not a surprise to any Bible reader.  Satan always had limited power.  God has all power and authority.

As Christians, we have our own internal flesh vs spirit battle each day.  Paul discusses this very thing in a vulnerable and personal way in Romans Chapter 7.  We find ourselves in the same predicament as Paul, convicted by sin.  The only solution - the blood of Jesus Christ.

Paul warns us in Ephesians about Satan and his wicked hosts.  He explains this formidable enemy is not human, but evil spiritual beings.  Paul tells us how to be prepared to withstand Satan using a war equipment analogy in Ephesians 6:10-17.

“Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  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.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you maybe able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

We are deceiving ourselves if we think it is possible to defeat Satan without completely relying on God.  It is not going to happen.  Even if we are living for Jesus we will not win every single temptation battle.  We will have moments of weakness where we give into sin.  Yet, we remain blameless because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

I John 1:7 -  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Christians prevail in their war with Satan by placing their trust in God and putting on the whole armor of God.  We know our strength is found in God and that the battle belongs to the Lord.  What an awesome blessing to be on God’s side, knowing He has already won the war, and that we will too.

Mark Townsley