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A devotional written by Ray Stedman got me thinking about how the current situation in the world is nothing new and what our response should be to it. We hear about the rise in homicides, robberies, assaults, drug use, white collar crimes and the continued degradation of our society. Our education and political systems seem to be filled with self serving individuals instead of people with a servant attitude. Every day in the news we hear of another terror attack or attempted terror attack somewhere in the world. We are bombarded with news from the war on terror and rumors of wars from other parts of the world.
On another front, we struggle with disagreements and arguments with-in our family of loved ones, work and church. We wrestle with fears, temptations and sin within ourselves. Whoa! Where does it all stop? I could probably fill the rest of this space with imperfect world situations. But what are we to do with all of this? Can we not deal with our co-workers, our family members or our fellow believers through discussion and sharing of our feelings? Can we not take the battle to the streets against rising crime waves and terror attacks?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.—Ephesians 6:10-18
The battle is between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and we are the battlefield! God has given Satan temporary control of this world including us humans. However, God also gave us a way to be restored back to His control and not Satan's. Through God’s son Jesus Christ and his work on the cross, we are set free from sins control in our life. But we are not free onto ourselves to do and be what we want. We are set free to fight the fight, to put on the whole armor of God to do his will, to have victory in our lives and save a lost and dying world controlled by the kingdom of Satan.
Are you dressed for battle?
