When thinking about this post I ran across this;
During the Korean War, a unit known as Baker Company found itself in a dire situation. Separated from their regiment, enemy forces were closing in from every direction. For hours, radio silence. Finally, contact was made. When asked for their report, Baker Company’s response was chilling: "The enemy is to the east of us. The enemy is to the west of us. The enemy is to the south of us. The enemy is to the north of us." Then, after a brief, pregnant pause, the voice continued, "And this time, we’re not going to let them escape."
Sometimes, as believers, life can feel a lot like Baker Company's situation. The enemy seems to be at every turn, temptation lurking around every corner. Yet, many of us don't fully grasp that the Christian life isn't a playground; it’s a battleground. We can be oblivious to the very real spiritual war raging around us—a war in which we are either winning or losing.
In any battle, it's always better to be the aggressor than the defender. A defender is simply waiting for the next attack, hoping to survive. If we, as believers, are always in a defensive posture, the devil holds the superior position. But if we are the ones attacking, we gain the upper hand.
Ephesians 6:17 NLT Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (emphasis mine)
The only offensive weapon in the armor that God gives all that are saved through Jesus’ sacrifice is the sword of the Spirit
Make no mistake: there is immense authority and power in God's Word. Consider Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Three times the devil tried to lure Jesus into sin. All three times, Jesus countered with the Word of God. The result? "The devil went away"
Matthew 4:1-11 NLT [1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. [2] For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. [3] During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” [5] Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, [6] and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” [7] Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” [8] Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” [10] “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” [11] Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
God’s Word is our ultimate defense and offense, keeping Satan from gaining an advantageous position in our lives. For instance, imagine you're feeling tempted to do something you know is wrong. If your first instinct is to turn to Scripture you'll remember God's faithfulness. You'll recall that He stands ready to strengthen you and show you a way out. This puts you on the high ground, leaving the devil with no solid footing for his attack.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
This is how we keep the enemy off-balance: by immersing ourselves in Scripture. The devil has nothing in his arsenal that can counter the Bible.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT [10] “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. [11] It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
God's Word sticks. God's Word breaks through. God's Word impacts. When the enemy has you surrounded, keep him on the defensive with the powerful, living Word of God.
During the Korean War, a unit known as Baker Company found itself in a dire situation. Separated from their regiment, enemy forces were closing in from every direction. For hours, radio silence. Finally, contact was made. When asked for their report, Baker Company’s response was chilling: "The enemy is to the east of us. The enemy is to the west of us. The enemy is to the south of us. The enemy is to the north of us." Then, after a brief, pregnant pause, the voice continued, "And this time, we’re not going to let them escape."
Sometimes, as believers, life can feel a lot like Baker Company's situation. The enemy seems to be at every turn, temptation lurking around every corner. Yet, many of us don't fully grasp that the Christian life isn't a playground; it’s a battleground. We can be oblivious to the very real spiritual war raging around us—a war in which we are either winning or losing.
In any battle, it's always better to be the aggressor than the defender. A defender is simply waiting for the next attack, hoping to survive. If we, as believers, are always in a defensive posture, the devil holds the superior position. But if we are the ones attacking, we gain the upper hand.
Ephesians 6:17 NLT Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (emphasis mine)
The only offensive weapon in the armor that God gives all that are saved through Jesus’ sacrifice is the sword of the Spirit
Make no mistake: there is immense authority and power in God's Word. Consider Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Three times the devil tried to lure Jesus into sin. All three times, Jesus countered with the Word of God. The result? "The devil went away"
Matthew 4:1-11 NLT [1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. [2] For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. [3] During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” [5] Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, [6] and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” [7] Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” [8] Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” [10] “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” [11] Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
God’s Word is our ultimate defense and offense, keeping Satan from gaining an advantageous position in our lives. For instance, imagine you're feeling tempted to do something you know is wrong. If your first instinct is to turn to Scripture you'll remember God's faithfulness. You'll recall that He stands ready to strengthen you and show you a way out. This puts you on the high ground, leaving the devil with no solid footing for his attack.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
This is how we keep the enemy off-balance: by immersing ourselves in Scripture. The devil has nothing in his arsenal that can counter the Bible.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT [10] “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. [11] It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
God's Word sticks. God's Word breaks through. God's Word impacts. When the enemy has you surrounded, keep him on the defensive with the powerful, living Word of God.
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