“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
How strong is God? How strong are you? When it comes to spiritual strength and spiritual battles, who do you think has the most might — you or God? Why then do you so often try to fight spiritual battles in your own strength and according to your own resources? Don’t you know that the Lord desires to protect you and to watch over you? He is your refuge and strength; your very present help in times of danger.
But you must trust him. You must be strong in him. This is a world at war – whether or not you believe it. There is no spiritual DMZ (demilitarized zone). When once we come to faith in Christ, we are enlisted into the fight of faith. The world will seek to pull you away. Your enemy the devil will seek to destroy you. Your flesh will seek to sabotage you. Make no mistake, all who belong to God’s kingdom have the forces of the kingdom of Satan against them. Therefore, we must be armored. Protected. Strong in the Lord. We must have our minds protected with salvation — allowing God to change the way we perceive life. We must have our hearts protected with the goodness and rightness of Jesus. We must allow truth to hold us up and surround us. We must walk in the way of peace and be proclaimers of the Good News of peace with God in Christ. We must have a protecting faith — an indomitable trust in God that blocks every scheme of darkness. We must know the Scriptures – the very weapon that makes us strong in the fight. Finally we must talk to and listen to the Lord. Unless we are highly attuned to the movements and direction of our Captain himself, we will suffer tremendous setbacks and losses.
Today, particularly here in the comfort-laden West, what is needed most are Christians who clearly recognize what is at stake in this spiritual war around us. We must realize that we can no longer live as though we are on a cruise ship but instead must realize we are on a battle ship. And battle ship life often means the loss of comfort and individual rights. It requires focus and selflessness. It requires understanding the enemy’s schemes and tactics so as not to be picked off. It requires having others around us who can strengthen and support us as we go.
upword 