The battle no one wants to fight
Ephesians 6:14-17 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, in having showed your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield be with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.”
A soldier equipped for battle gets orientation on who his enemy is and strategies for defeating his enemy. You have been enlisted for xxx number of years to defend your fellow soldier. Military people would understand, but you and I have been enlisted in the army of God, given instructions on how to defeat our enemy. The word of God is that tool, and as we get familiar with our task, we sometimes forget the strongest battle that no one wants to fight is in our minds, where others can't see a situation at home, at work, or in a relationship, thinking if they can't see it, they will forget it's there.
The helmet of Salvation is one piece of equipment that seems less important. The breastplate covers your chest (your heart). The sword of the Spirit is the word you apply when in battle
( the outside source), the shoes of peace that will carry the Gospel ( your every step is ordained), we must watch where we walk. The shield of truth. All are essential for battle. If you notice, these are for the battle before you, but what about the fight in your mind? That is where the enemy is battling to take possession. If defeated, he will not stop.
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,”Taking every thought in Jesus' name is a daily war, and we must fight it with every promise written in God's word. There is power in the tongue; we have the authority to use it. It's not magical words; it is the conviction that flows from the heart of God to us. What is a recipe suitable for it? We don't bake the item to make a cake or bread. The thought is mighty; that is where our soul's enemy wants to live at any cost, and we must fight it at any cost. We must not get tired because the Holy Spirit's promise is always with us. Never forget when we call on our commander (Jesus). He said he would not leave us.
What is keeping you from fighting the good fight? Time to evaluate or reevaluate our surroundings, what we listen to, who our friends are, and what we are reading. We live in a broken world that never gets tired of throwing sin upon sin over the TV, social media, and movies. So, you say it sounds too extreme? The enemy takes his battle seriously, and so should we. If you are called a Christian, you know the truth. Whether you've served one year, 10, 15, or 20 years sharpen your armor daily so that you are ready to fight. Shine it with the oil of the Holy Spirit, so the enemy sees you coming full polished. Every piece is essential. Every piece was personally made for you, your size. As we fight this battle, we have the confidence that God is the one to give the victory, so let's go into battle now, for He who has called you was, is, and always be by your side.
