War! We're At War!

In case you were unaware of this fact, as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, and one who is a disciple of His. The enemy (the devil) has declared war on you. I'm not sure if you were aware of it or not, but you are in a war, if you are trying to follow the Lord. Look at this Scripture in Revelation:

Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus."

The devil rose up against God leading one third of the angelic host in a rebellion in Heaven. They were easily defeated, and the devil was hurled down to Earth. Jesus said that He saw Lucifer fall from Heaven like lightning. (Luke 10:18) So now he makes war on the image of Jesus, and that's us. Those called "little Christs", you know, Christians.

What we need in the Christian community is for the true followers of Jesus to rise up and face the enemy head on. Remember, we do not war after the flesh. That is, we don't fight with flesh and blood, but we do have to fight. We have to fight the enemies of God, and those are spiritual. We have to continue to walk in the light of the Word of God, and wage war on all those principalities, powers and rulers of darkness in high places. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

Don't think for one minute that if you leave the enemy alone, that he will leave you alone. He's looking for ways to destroy you, and you have to meet him head on. We will overcome the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony...but we've got to stand up against the enemies of God and use our one offensive weapon, the sword of the spirit. Speak God's Word to the enemy, like Jesus did in the wilderness, and we will be victorious.

Victory comes to those who fight, not to those who sit on the sidelines. I'm reminded of Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president. He made a statement in one of his speeches that inspires me like almost no other. Take a look:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

So rise up Christian! Rise up and don't let the naysayers sway you to be timid or shy in this end time assault on all that is holy. Don't be that timid, or critical person who rails against what others are doing, but take your place in the halls of heroes of the faith, and make the enemy pay. Make him remember the day you stood against him with faith in our Lord Jesus, pleading the Blood and holding fast to your confession of God's Word. Strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!