A Knife at a Gunfight
The first step to winning is showing up with the sufficient tools to win. Lawyers aren't going to be able to fight for their side if they don't fully understand the law. Marathon runners can't expect to run faster than their competitors if they show up to the race wearing high heels. And if you're looking to get hired for a new job, you best come prepared with a proper resume in hand, or you won't make it past the first wave of interviews. Simply put, winners understand what it takes to be winners, and they don't show up with anything less.
Spiritual battles are no different. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that there's a war going on in the spirit realm, and if you're looking to win, you better not show up to a gunfight with a knife, so to speak. In other words, be aware of what kind of battle this is and know what it will take to win it.
Will human strength do the job? No. Nope. No way. Plan to lose miserably if you think that your own human strength is going to help you gain any kind of ground. This battle is not "against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." The devil doesn't feel threatened when faced with human strength and, let me say, RELIGION. If anything, he loves when we bring our religion. It's the knife at the gunfight.
No, what makes Him shake in his boots, what gets his attention every time, is a person who comes to the battle with child-like faith and faces Him in the name of the Lord. Remember, it wasn't the mighty men that took down Goliath, it was the shepherd boy who understood and believed in the power of God.
Spiritual battles are no different. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that there's a war going on in the spirit realm, and if you're looking to win, you better not show up to a gunfight with a knife, so to speak. In other words, be aware of what kind of battle this is and know what it will take to win it.
Will human strength do the job? No. Nope. No way. Plan to lose miserably if you think that your own human strength is going to help you gain any kind of ground. This battle is not "against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." The devil doesn't feel threatened when faced with human strength and, let me say, RELIGION. If anything, he loves when we bring our religion. It's the knife at the gunfight.
No, what makes Him shake in his boots, what gets his attention every time, is a person who comes to the battle with child-like faith and faces Him in the name of the Lord. Remember, it wasn't the mighty men that took down Goliath, it was the shepherd boy who understood and believed in the power of God.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.6.10-18.nlt
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