Your War Zone
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 be 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 may be 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; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:10-18.
Today is a date that has been etched into our memories and hearts never to be forgotten. Three years ago on September 11, 2001, we experienced a devastating attack in the United States. In the days following the 9/11 attack, we who are a peaceful people went to war, and we are still in a war. In fact, we are living in a war zone knowing the enemy may very well attack inside our country once again. Many people, however, are living in a state of denial, pretending that we are at peace and that life should go on as it did before 9/11.
Just because, someone wants to deny the reality of the state of war in which we live, does not change the fact that we are still at war. We may not have a suicide bomber blow up the convenience store down at the corner or the local bar; and there may not be a car bomb explode outside of our school, but we are still at war. Why? Because when the terrorists attacked our country, they attacked us who are a part of this country. We will continue to be at war until all Americans are again safe from terrorist attacks.
There is another war that is also going on at the same time. It is the war that is the underlying cause of the terror attacks and the war in Iraq. What you may ask is this war? Why haven’t we heard anything about this? The war I speak of is a spiritual war between the forces of good, and the forces of evil. This war rages all around you wherever you live. Life may seem peaceful, but the reality is that we are living in a spiritual war zone, and the enemy is constantly looking for an opening through which to attack us.
Just as many would like to deny the terror war in which we live, and go on living as they did before 9/11; there are many who want to deny the existence of a spiritual war, and go on living as they always have. However, just because you do not want to believe there is a war, does not mean that it does not exist and that it will affect your life. Just because, you want to hide your head in the sand, does not mean that the war is not raging all around you, and casualties are being taken.
From the time I wake up in the morning, until my head hits the pillow late at night, I am engaged in combat; in a war hard fought, and not easily won. It is a war, in which the casualty count can include every person I come in contact with day in, day out. And it is the same for you. You live in a war zone. Your life is a battlefield. Every moment throughout the day, there are things happening around you that cannot be seen with the natural eye, but are, still, all too real. I’m not talking about a make believe world. No, I am talking about what the apostle Paul describes, which is spiritual warfare.
To the extent that we are faithful in waging our own little spiritual war, it impacts the physical reality around us positively, and across the world. We may not be able to fight in Afghanistan or Iraq, or in some other war the enemy is waging across this world. But we will hinder the enemy, whenever we wage spiritual war where we live.
It is time for the army of God to put on the armor of God, and make a stand. Are you in God’s army? Are you a child of God? Then, it is time to raise the Sword of the Spirit, and fight the enemy of our souls. How you fight your battle, will make a difference in the lives of all of us. How I fight my battle, will make a difference as well. Let us rise up, resist, and overcome our enemy. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).”
(Spiritual warfare is a reality. In remembrance of 9/11.)