ARE YOU READY FOR THE BATTLE?

     An event took place yesterday that raised the statement, "We just need to have faith."  I believe this statement but something seemed to be missing.  As I was lying in bed last night I began to ponder on why this statement was so unfulfilling to my heart. 

     As a very young child I learned that faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.  Also the verse was quoted often in our home, if you have faith as a grain of a mustard seed you can say to the mountain be moved and it shall be moved.  These are great verses but we need to take both of those verses one step further. 

     As I was discussing this faith issue I made the statement, "I feel we need to have faith but with that faith, God expects us to keep certain things from entering into our lives.  As I spoke this sentence I was not fully convinced this was scripturally sound but my heart said it was.  The person I spoke this to disagreed and felt all we need is faith alone. 

     After I spoke that sentence I felt the Lord gave me some new insight to the word faith. 

     Ephesians 6:16 tells us to put on the Shield of Faith.  This verse doesn't say speak words naming and claiming what you want.  It says stand up and be ready for the battle because there is going to be a fight. 

     There are so many people that say, "Just keep the faith."  We need to make people aware that it's not something that is so simple as just a thought process.  In order to accomplish this you have to prepare for battle.

     Now let's look at it even closer.  If you want a "household of faith," then you need to realize that in the battle Satan is going to be throwing darts at your family.  Those darts consist of fear, doubt, discouragement, anger, and the list goes on.  It's easier to stand against these darts when they are coming from an outer circle but what happens when the fear, doubt and turmoil comes from within the home. 

     When one member of the family allows Satan to enter into the home and dwell in the presence of the family it becomes even harder to withstand and fight the battle.  In order to have a household of faith we must all stand with the shield of faith, ready for battle.  We must keep fighting the battle together. 

     If you believe that the other warriors are holding their shield and fighting Satan with you; only to find out that they put their shield down and are dancing and playing with Satan himself than they have deceived you.  They left a part of you exposed to demonic attack.  This demonic attack can wound you and can even destroy your life. 

    So the next time someone tells you to just keep the faith, remind them that it's a battle and it's not easy to keep the faith but that you plan to study out Ephesians Chapter Six and prepare for battle.  Don't forget that the shield of faith is just one piece of the armour and before going to battle, we need to be totally equipped to fight against the wiles of Satan.  It also says above all put on the shield of faith.  This is an extremely important piece of armour or the Lord wouldn't have said, "Above all put on the shield of faith." 

     If you are one of the people who has let Satan into your home and attack your mate and children, it's time you stopped and realized how detrimental it is to have you as part of that home when you are deceiving the family and allowing them to trust you to fight against the wiles of Satan when you are actually wanting to party with him.  It would be better for you to tell the truth so the other members of that family can stand strong and be prepared for his attacks than it would to pretend and then open the door and allow Satan destroy your family while you dance with his angels. 

    For those of you who have had a mate that has put his shield down repeatedly, then it's time you prepare for battle knowing your mate isn't going to cover your back.  You need to be prepared and ask the Lord to cover your back for you.  He says in Isaiah 52:12 that the Lord will go before you and also cover you from behind.  We are all responsible for our own armour.  Be sure yours is ready when the battle comes your way.  One thing is certain, you will have to fight for your faith.
    
     Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.   Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (Ephesians 6:11-19)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)