The Battle is Raging

The war is not over.  The battle is raging all around us and will only be over when the trumpet blasts and Jesus bursts through the clouds.  Paul writes, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

The battle for the hearts and souls of our children is real.  It’s not big and loud on the surface.   The battle rages silently on a small screen illuminating a beautiful face, simultaneously poisoning the heart and mind behind the screen.  What has been seen can’t be unseen.  What is heard echoes through the mind for ages.  A piece of an innocent heart is darkened, the soul is lured away and a child happily skips into the enemy’s trap. 

IT IS ON NOW!

We cannot stand idly by and watch as this battle rages.  We can’t hide in the shadows, hoping we aren’t hit.  We have to put on our armor and fight for the souls of our children.  The weapon we have is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  We not only have to read it, but speak it and pray it.  The thing is, is we can’t give our sword to our children.  We must show them how to pick up their own sword. The way they learn to use it is by watching us.  We must tell them what we are doing and why.  It will not just magically happen someday.

Before our children can pick up their sword and use it effectively, it is most important for them to put on the Helmet of Salvation.  In trench warfare, the head is typically the most exposed part of a soldier’s body.  Without a helmet, one shot to the head will take a soldier out.  Accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior of their life is critical.  Without the helmet of salvation, they are not able to understand II Corinthians 2:10 which says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive very thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  The helmet of salvation helps protect the mind.

Flaming arrows are aimed straight at our heart and can only be extinguished with the Shield of Faith.  Fight for your kids.  Get out of the shadows. Pick up your sword and shield, put on your helmet, get on your knees and fight!

Ephesians 6:13-18

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”