2 Corinthian 4:8-12 says this: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them:for the Lord your God, he it is that goes with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Rak Chazak means“All strength and courage for the Glory of our God” “Amats” means: It's rushing with reckless haste into the most hazardous and impossible battles without pausing to consider the consequences.
There is something that grieves my heart and I know that it must also grieve the Lord's heart too. What grieves me is how so many Christians do not know how to fight in this spiritual war. They do not know how to put on the armor of God, they don't know how to use the shield of faith and they don't know how to yield the sword of the Spirit. They have become a casualty of spiritual warfare. The Bible says that Gods people are destroyed by their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Because of this lack of knowledge, they ask others to pray for them or go to someone they know that actually reads the Bible to comfort them. I am not saying that we shouldn't pray for one another or encourage one another. In James 5:16, Matthew 18:19, and 1 Timothy 2:1 we are instructed to pray for one another. But what I am trying to say is, why have someone pray for you or wait until you see your pal who is a mature Christian, and handle the spiritual attack yourself? We must learn how to operate in the authority that has been given to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The children of God are suppose to be bold as lions (Proverbs 28:1). The children of God are soldiers in the army of God. The gates of hell will never prevail over the church (Matthew 16:18). I know that sometimes the attacks are fierce and they are constant. I too, have to wake up every day battling my flesh, my desires, my thoughts and whatever else the enemy throws at me. As a child of God, no one is exempt of having to fight in this war. God has issued to us His armor and weapons to fight in this war. But some of you don't put on the armor and also dont know how to use the weapons. Some of you try to fight this war naked and have others fight your fight. No wonder you are wounded and have become a casualty. Our enemy hates us and will not stop until they see us utterly destroyed. We should have the same hate towards the enemy that they have for us and we should want to see our enemy utterly destroyed. Remember that we do not fight against flesh and blood, we fight the principalities and powers, we fight against the rulers of darkness of this world. We are fighting spiritual wickedness in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Our foe fights ferociously against us, but we just take it easy and let the enemy just run us over. NO! This will not do and cannot continue my brethren. We must stand up and fight! We fight a defeated foe because Jesus defeated the Devil on the cross and the victory was cemented when Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.
Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross and at the resurrection. We must be ferocious against our enemies. We must fight on our knees in prayer and we must use the word of God to wound the enemy. We must have faith to shield us from the attacks of the enemy. The helmet of salvation simply means this: knowing that you are saved will protect your mind. I recall when I was first born again, I would sometimes doubt if I was saved or not. I took off the helmet and the enemy would take a shot at my head. Know that you are saved! The majority of battles fought in this war are in our very own minds. The breast plate of righteousness means that righteousness of God will protect your heart. Righteousness is defined as the quality of being morally right or justifiable. The enemy attacks our hearts, our emotions, our self worth. The enemy accuses us of being guilty and unworthy. Remember that God is the one who justifies and forgives. Who can bring charges against those who have been pardoned by God? Don't forget you are forgiven of your sins and you are now worthy.
The belt of truth holds up the entire armor. When you are a child of God you are saved, you are righteous, you know the truth, you have faith, you know Gods word and you are prepared to go with the gospel and tell others about the good news. That is all truth and that is what holds up the rest of the armor of God. Truth protects our will. If truth protects your will, you will not willingly sin against God. The shoes of the gospel of peace means two things. One, standing firm in Christ and not moving when the enemy presses against you. Two, it means being available and ready to go share the gospel with the world. The enemy wants you to think that telling others about the gospel is useless or they make you think that you wont say the right thing. We have been commissioned to spread the good news all over the world by ANY means necessary. With technology so readily available, we should take advantage of it. The enemy uses technology to spread their lies all the time. Movies, TV shows, radio shows, music, podcasts, YouTube, and social media. There are believers who have Christian channels, but why not you? Why dont you have your own outlet to get the word out? So many of you have spiritual gifts that would benefit the body but because the enemy has lied to you, you dont use it. The church and the world needs you to share your gift.
The shield of faith blocks the fiery darts of the enemy. The darts are lies that are shot at us but having faith in God will protect us. The enemy attacks us with insults, setbacks and temptations. The shield of faith protects us from these attacks. We must cling to our hope in Christ and refuse to believe the lies. We must resist the devil and he shall flee from us. Faith is defined are having complete trust in confidence in someone or something. It also means having a strongly held belief. So, strongly have belief in the word of God because God cannot and will not break His promises. All of Gods promises are Yes and Amen through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthian 1:20). Last but certainly not least, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Jesus portrayed perfectly how to use the sword of the Spirit. In Luke chapter 4 you will read about how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. We all know the story but we overlook the lesson. Jesus overcame the fiery darts and temptations of the devil with quoting the word of God and having faith in the word. Some might say "Yea, but that was Jesus. He was God and He could handle that. I cannot do that." Well, for one, that is a lie straight out of the pits of hell that you cant fight back with the word of God. We have Jesus living inside of us and we can do this. Plus we have been commanded to do so. When you are tempted, trust in the truth of Gods word and speak it.
I will give you two verses that are very dear to me. I use them often when I am spiritually attacked and they are quite effective. The first verse is 1 John 4:4. I would recommend that EVERY new believer in Christ memorize this verse and personalize it. I speak from my own experiences and I know that this verse is powerful. "He who is in me is greater that he that is in the world." It is you against the world but you don't fight against the world alone, God is not only with you but lives inside you. The second verse that I like to use is Romans 8:28. Oh, how many times I have used this verse and how many times have I seen God deliver me just like He promised He would in this verse. "And we know that God will work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." I know that I love God because I obey Him and I know that I am called according to His purpose. Question is, do you?
Its time to get serious about God and stop playing church. We must read the word of God and get that into us. We must learn how to pray and that comes from reading the word. I recall when I first was born again and I didn't know how to pray and I asked a brother how I learn to pray. He told me to read the Bible and it will give me language to speak to God. The next step, which is the hardest is applying the things you have learned. Yes, you will fail and you will fall on your face. There will be times the enemy will beat you. But the righteous man falls seven times and gets up on the eighth. We are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ. Its time to rise soldiers. This war is ugly and nasty and it is time to get dirty. I am tired of seeing Gods people defeated by the enemy. I know that we are stronger than this. Aren't you tired of loosing?! We are on the winning side, don't you know that?! At the end of the Bible, God wins and we win along side with Him. But, do you believe that? What are you going to do next? Today is the day that things need to change. Pray and ask God to help you. The enemy's planning their final push because they know their time is short. We must gird up our loins and fight back for the lost souls of people. Rak Chazak Amats!
