Don't Let Your Guard Down! The Enemy Doesn't Give Up That Easy!

It's been interesting to watch the reactions of people, especially Christians, at the end of the long election process for the 47th President of the United States. Depending on which party you support, there were either demonstrations of ecstatic joy, or bouts of crying, depression, and rage. As one who clearly sees that this election was as much a spiritual battle as a political one, I couldn't help but see a bigger picture. 

You see, I've always realized that at a much deeper level, this election was about a war between the spiritual forces of Good and Evil, involving the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms and their proxies here on earth. From the time the Fallen Angels rebelled in Heaven and came to Earth, Satan has been able to beguile men to become his surrogates; promising them wealth, power, fame, and status if they would carry out his mandates and agendas to usurp the dominion of man on this planet. 

If you have eyes to see, you can discern the battle through the ages, and clearly perceive it in our lifetime. We have seen the devil use men and women to achieve his goals of removing God's influence and commandments from our schools, our government, our homes, and our families. Our secular leaders, who many unbelievers worship as if they were gods [as do many professing Christians], have been successful in advancing an Anti-Christ spirit(s) across our land. The term Anti-Christ simply means "against Christ"; refusing to believe that Jesus was sent in the flesh from the Father and these spirits represent everything that is hostile against God. 

And, yes, I said "spirits", because just as Jesus experienced when He walked on the earth, there have been diverse spirits at work in the world. And the same holds true for today. These spirits sow confusion and deception about God's Truth, resulting in people entertaining countless views regarding what constitutes their truth. So, you can see how easy it is for men [who seek power and control and wealth via Satan's promises to them] to speak of what is good for the population in order to deceive the masses into following a satanic form of society. 

But I want to suggest that we proceed with caution. At the moment, it looks like freedom-loving supporters of a constitutional system of law and order have won the day, and stand victorious on the battlefield of self-determination and autonomy. But you can't forget who is at work behind the scenes in the spiritual realms. The humans who have made a decision to resist God, are [knowingly or unknowingly] following the orders of Satan, the one who personifies "resisting God". Remember, he is always on the lookout for those who will be receptive to his temptations of pride and self-reliance on their own "truths". They worship their own power and authority in this life, and whoever stands in their way becomes an enemy to all they seek for themselves. 

According to Satan, a nation who makes a choice to follow a leader who promises peace, prosperity, security, justice, and the freedom to become all you were meant to be according to God, is seen as a perpetual opponent and enemy to be defeated and conquered. While we are resistant to his temptations and seduction, he will continue to strategize to foment his innate spirit of rebellion into earthly men to see that his agendas are carried out. We must not forget that he is still the primary authority over all the rebels of the earth, and he aims to keep his power and influence.

That is why we must continue to overcome his strategies and persevere to the end! Right now Satan is on the defensive. He's mad and riled up. He is gathering his demonic troops for an assault against any spiritual door that he can open. He came so close to being able to demand that men bow down and worship him. He knows that Godly, righteous people are emboldened to fight to get our kids back; to restore Biblical values and identities in our children and our society; to remove all the evilness and wickedness that have denigrated men, corrupted families, and tried to redefine our schools, churches, and government institutions. He sees his power diminishing, and he will come out fighting. But he doesn't understand this one important thing ... 

We are not afraid! We are not cowering behind a political victory, hoping he will leave us alone to enjoy our temporary success. I pray and urge us all to fortify ourselves in the strength of our God; to trust in Him implicitly and with total commitment. We know that Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, and spiritual General has gone before us and we will be obedient and confident to follow Him to the end and He will bring us through the battle, whatever lies before us. As members of the Kingdom of God, we know our battle positions in the spirit, and we are disciplined and vigilant to stand guard over our territories in the natural world. We aggressively storm the gates of Hell while following our orders from Heaven on high. We serve the God of Peace who assures us of our eternal victory and we will glorify Him as we stand firm in our faith. God Bless you all and stay alert!

Psalm 37:12-13    The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that his day is coming.

We Must Guard Our Faith; Don't Let Your Love Grow Cold!

I want to make it very clear that this post is not about any one person, or persons. In fact, if anything, it is a self-indictment from my own experiences and how I had to come to terms with my own lack of faith in my process of maturing in Christ. The questions and issues I discuss are the result of where God has taken me in my journey, and I believe are valuable lessons that Christians desperately need to learn today! Perhaps you have had some of the same thoughts or issues. So, I invite you to do a self-examination and shore up your faith in order to stand for these times we are entering. And I hope you will leave this post with the understanding that we can endure because we are not alone!      

I'm already starting to see it. Hard times are beginning to fall on people; believers and nonbelievers alike. I hear the warnings spoken by the prophets, both the true and false ones ... "We are in the End Times". All the signs are there: wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines and earthquakes, and the increase in lawlessness. Throughout history there have been seasons that have met these requirements, but somehow this time it feels heightened because the hate and the death of millions across the globe seems particularly calculated by those who bow down to Evil.

It shouldn't surprise us. The Bible says it will happen. But I believe we are only in what Jesus calls "the birth pangs" stage. And because of that, I'm beginning to see doubt and fear -- and as much as I hate to say it ... unbelief is starting to creep into the Christian community. I'm sure we all know someone who is suffering financially. Our economy is on the verge of collapse; the nations are fleeing from the dollar, which has been the world's primary reserve currency since 1944. The result is soaring inflation, and the American people are struggling to meet the rising costs of everything that sustains our physical lives -- food, electricity, gas prices, and the cost of goods that are the underpinnings of business and our economy. 

And just because you are a Christian, it does not mean that you escape these hardships. Jesus tells us we won't! But it's not only our physical life that is under attack, but our spiritual life, as well. And this is where I am deeply concerned. As Christians, we are repeatedly told throughout Scripture that we must prepare to endure and persevere through extremely perilous times! What part of the following admonition from Jesus do we not acknowledge or believe? At that time there will be a great tribulation [consisting of pressure, distress, and oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]" (Matthew 24:21).

Is it because Christians don't know their Bible? Or do they believe they don't deserve it, and will therefore be spared? Do they think because we are under the New Covenant and declare themselves Christians and go to Church every Sunday, that they will be raptured out of here before the really bad stuff happens? Perhaps it's all of the above. But Jesus says we, who follow Him, will be hated because He was hated. We are not guaranteed to escape what is coming upon the earth. If we truly identify with Christ, then we are baptized into His death and resurrection, and are a target for the Enemy and all who follow him. 

But back to where my concern lies ... it's the appearance of the spirits of fear, doubt, unbelief and lack of knowledge [in the Scriptures] that I see rearing their ugly heads that has me praying for renewed faith to sweep the land. I know that Christians are being laid off from their jobs and the death count from Covid continues to rise. I know that dreams for the future are being destroyed, and the younger generations are losing hope, while the older generation is fearful of becoming destitute. 

But this is where the rubber meets the road! This is where the depth of your faith comes into play! You say you have faith -- but do you? Are you just saying it, or is your faith active? Having faith is a verb! Can you still praise Jesus and the Father in the midst of your trials? Or do you quickly ask God why He isn't coming to your rescue? Many will declare to Him that they have been good people and don't deserve what is happening to them. And I totally believe that is true in a lot of cases! And they will get angry at Him for allowing them to lose their comfortable life -- whether it is through the loss of health, wealth, or material goods. And they will expect Him to restore it all to them because they didn't do anything wrong. Again, that may be true! But is that asking God to serve them, instead of asking how they can serve Him? And did they make those things an idol? Do Christians covet the things of this world, rather than seek the imperishable eternal rewards that await us in Heaven?

It deeply saddens me to see the depression and despair that are beginning to attack Christians. And, please don't misunderstand me -- I am not making light of the pain and misery that accompanies the loss many are experiencing. When you have worked so hard to achieve things for yourself and family, only to see corrupt and greedy men steal it out from under you, it is only natural to want to blame someone. But we must remember that it is always God's will to bless us. He doesn't "allow" bad things to happen to us. We have an Enemy who is jealous of our position in the Family of God and is like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. If your faith is strong, like Job, you just might become his target.

And here's another thought that Holy Spirit has prompted in my own spirit ... what if God has ordained a glorious purpose for your life during your time on earth, and the Enemy is determined to deter you from reaching that divine goal? What if during that trial and oppression from the Enemy, God is also testing the strength and durability of your faith, refining and purifying you in order to see you reach that goal for His Kingdom? Remember, Jesus and the Father want you to reap all the inheritance that has been written on your scroll in Heaven! But we have to sometimes be pruned to become the Conquerors, Over-comers, and Victors we are meant to be. He's not going to move you further along if you aren't mature enough [or strong enough] in your faith to represent Him or achieve your purpose.

I do not want to minimize the struggles that my fellow Christians are going through now, and the physical and spiritual battles we may all soon encounter. But what we are currently seeing is only a blip on the radar screen compared to the scale of trouble and suffering that has never been seen before. These are just the "birth pangs" that precede the intensity, anguish, great discomfort and pain that accompanies the actual labor of giving birth. 

But we can look forward to what this time of crisis will give birth to ... it has a designated purpose on God's timeline that will bring the joy of a new life and the hope of restoration and reconciliation in the fullness of God's plan for His people. So, be mindful of where we are in the history of the world. Be determined to guard your faith against the attacks of the Enemy; be dedicated to your love of God and His Son; and remain unfaltering, unwavering and unshakeable as you persevere and declare your obedience and loyalty to the One who chose you to represent Him in this climactic Age of the world! 

Don't be one of those whom the Bible says will be shaken and "fall away" from their faith when Satan and his lawlessness claim the earth. The Bible says upon His return, Jesus will ask, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth"? Let us be one of the determined Faithful, who is able to stand and say, "Here I am, Lord! I am still standing on my faith and Your promises! My love has not grown cold, and I am still willing and able to serve You for all of eternity"!  

Ephesians 6:13     Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].