America Under Siege

OUR STRUGGLE

 

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  

(Paraphrased from Ephesians 6:12)

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     This may be a strange concept or idea to some, but, everything we consider as 'real and tangible', the things we can see, smell, taste and touch, have come from the 'unseen world'.  One way of looking at this is to consider the 'unseen world' of atoms, electrons and protons, which creates all the 'matter', seen and unseen.  A second way of viewing it, is that those things which are 'built, constructed or done' by people, originated from the 'unseen' world of thoughts and ideas.

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     The things of this world are temporal.   Everything seen on this world is the final manifestation of form and matter, before it decays.   Matter decays.  People get old and die.  The eternal is in the 'heavenly place', the abode of God. The Book of Genesis gives us the best example of this idea, which says,  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  All things, seen and unseen, begin with God, Who is unseen.

 

     The Bible tells us that everything, seen and unseen, whether good or for evil, comes, first, from the unseen world 'of the heavenly places'.   Effecting change in the temporal means, we must start where the matter begins:  in the eternal place, 'the heavenly places'.

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     Epesians 6:10-11, fittingly says,  "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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Verse 12. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

 

Verse 13.  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

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​Verse 14.  "Stand therefore,

• having fastened on the belt of truth, and,

• having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and,

• as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

• In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and,

• take the helmet of salvation, and,

• the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

• praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

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     Please notice that each piece of the armor of God is not just clothing with some religious significance or decorative garb.  Each item represents an ACTION which must be taken.

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• The belt of Truth:  You are bound to Live and speak the Truth.

• The breastplate of righteousness:  You are to live justly, be innocent, stay in right realtionship with God.

• The shoes of peace:  Walk in peace with God and with man, whenever that is possible.

• The Shield of Faith:  Take up your faith in God and act on that faith.

• The Helmet of Salvation:  Have the mind which is also in Christ Jesus. Think like Him.

• The Swords of the Spirit:  Read, speak and practice the Word of God.

• Pray in the Spirit:  Pray and make supplication, at all times.

 

Do these things, and you will be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

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(Part IV)