We are not in a game in which some win and some lose, but everyone is happy in the end and the game is over. No! We are in a war. Blood is spilt. There are casualties. There is an enemy. And there is a King! Can you imagine entering a physical battle zone with the mindset that you were just playing Candy Land? You would be slaughtered very quickly. Why, then, are we so quick to adopt this perspective in terms of spiritual battle zones? When we have a Candy Land mindset there is no urgency. No urgency to pray, to seek God in His Word, to share the gospel with others, to pursue holiness in our lives, to defend truth. It is a war mindset that pushes us to do these things because it gives us a sense of urgency.
Realizing we are in battle, let's put on the full armor of God which are the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Bible). When we have on the full armor of God there will be an urgency in our lives for the things of God. We will not be passive but instead proactive in seeking God's will and obeying it in every area.
Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..."
The power in a believer's life comes from holiness and submission. So before you can fight in the outward war you must fight the inward one. You must first make war on your own sin before you can be an effective warrior.
"The only possible attitude toward out of control desire is a declaration of all out war! You ask, 'Why am I this way?' Make war! There is something about war that sharpens the senses. You hear a twig snap or a rustling in the leaves and you're in attack mode. War keeps us vigilant. There is a violence in Christianity. It is a violence against all lust in ourselves. All enslaving desires- this is our enemy. This is where we make war. The only foothold Satan has in your life is your flesh and your sin. Much more important than fighting Satan is fighting sin. You complain about it, talk about it, but have you made war 24/7 against it?"
John Piper
"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:26&27
As you strive to kill your own sin, your eyes open and you become more alert to the souls around you. Since this is war it is souls that are at stake, not points in a game. So, stay alert and be ready to defeat the enemy by starting with your own sin. Stop pretending that the souls around you are not a big deal- they are, as is your own soul.
