War Cry
We have had huge world wars that have directed and changed the course of history. We have had 9/11 which has forever changed the concept of the weapons behind war, and we now face the current war in Iraq.
Are you aware that you are on the frontline in another current war? The battle zone?
Your house. Your body. Your family. Your mind. Your church. Conscious of your role or not, everyone on earth is part of this war.
This war had its beginnings from before the creation of the world, and is one that has consequences that last for eternity. The Bible tells it like this:
‘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 (NIV)
I especially like this version from The Message:
‘This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.’ – Ephesians 6:12 (The Message)
Satan is not God. He can not be everywhere at once. So he sends out his demons, angels who chose to serve him above God, to do his work. Their mission is to blind people to God's truth and warp their beliefs of God. Whether this is through sin of pride, or selfishness, through sickness, finances, or relationships – as long as God is seen through a haze of lies or completely disregarded, Satan's mission is being fulfilled.
As Christians, we are far from immune to Satan and his plans. We are God's light on this earth, and Satan desperately wants nothing here to reflect God's glory. Our own pride can distort how we receive God's word when we read the Bible, or when our health fades it is easy to blame God and cause us to see Him in an unjust light. Satan's list of ways to undermine God's work is endless.
Satan has many vices and many voices to go along with them. But not all his vices are seen as negative in the beginning. Remember where he came from;
‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty …
… Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.
So I threw you to earth.’ – Ezekiel 28:12,17 (NIV)
Satan was the most beautiful angel in Heaven. Perfect, in fact. He can present in ways that seem beautiful and appealing. As women living in Australia, a very specific voice Satan seduces us with is his image of perfect beauty. We are told by the world that how we look is one of the main things that define who we are. Satan wants us to be consumed by all things gorgeous and define ourselves in this rather than through our spirit in God. Of course God adores beautiful things, just take a look at the next sunset, but he does not focus on external appearances.
Often Satan throws his plans of persecution out the window and starts on prospering his prey instead. Here on the northern beaches it is so easy to be blinded by the perfection and beauty of wealth and prosperity. Jesus himself said in Mark 10:23, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!' Often when it seems that we have all the world has to offer, we don't need anything else. Of course God doesn't want us on the street, but it is very easy to feel that to give all the world's glamour up is too much to ask. Let us not lose sight of what a fine treasure we have in Christ. (Matthew 13:44-46)
Remember that the Bible says, 'So I threw you to earth.' Satan is described as one who 'prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8) 1 John 5:19 also says, ‘We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.’ Be aware that sometimes God cannot work in our world until we ask Him to. Satan is walking this earth, and as Christian women, we must stand courageous in Christ and come before God’s throne to ask for His protection and strength for our families, our friends and ourselves.
Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Ephesus and included this very message in his last paragraphs. He writes, ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you may stand against the devil’s schemes.’ (Ephesians 6:10,11)
Spiritual warfare is a passion that burns in my heart. I have had my own encounters of very real battles through visions and dreams. The spirit world is real and often Satan can mask himself through amazing feats of power that can sometimes look like a god.
So I leave you with my version of Paul’s message -- Stand tall and full of courage, sisters, as we fight this ongoing war. This one’s not just for the boys! Read up on the weapons of power we have to fight this war, (Ephesians 6) and be aware of the voices Satan has to preach against the truth of God. Don’t let this crucial battle become ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ C’mon girls, the battle cry was sounded long ago in Eden, let’s show the boys how we can appreciate beauty, while cracking Satan over the head in our gorgeous high-heeled shoes!
