“Because I wasn't made to live a life empty, without wonder and without a difference.”
Books portray heroes flaunting their existence to the end of their long lives. With their glory and fame racing through villages, countries, their current world, and eventually, time itself. The birds singing their song and the poets writing their verse.
The books are full of lies. You see, the hero doesn't get the money or the eminence, or even benign adoration. The hero, he obtains nothing. True love isn't knocking at their door, nor visions being fulfilled before their eyes. Because the hero doesn't typically live to know that they made the difference. The hero always meets his demise before the world's herald races the streets, his voice ringing with sounds of triumph. The hero will never know.
But isn't that the way it should be? For if a hero were to know he would be great, if he were to know the rewards of being admired, then heroism itself would perish. Heroism cannot be obtained by the prospect of prestige. It would become a whisper of vanity. To be a hero one must never even have a glimpse of an idea that they could be the hero, but made of grace and boldness.
Then the hero meets their dragon, and oh how frightened their minds and souls become. The books say that heroes have no fear, that they march into battle with all the confidence in the world. A mistaken concept because heroes are those of us who are terrified, yet they fight all the same. They don't march with confidence of “oh, what a minute battle”, but with determination for the hope that they are not followed by others needing to take up the cause.
The enemy is fierce and lethal. It promises to annihilate all that stands against. Yet the hero stands against. The hero rises up because there is something worth fighting for. Souls. They fight for the souls. Not for fame, nor for money. The heroes fight for the people to have hope.
Now, here we stand in the spiritual battles we face daily and that lead to our futures. Do we fight or do we lie down defeated? Of course we would get the answer, “we fight!” Is that true though or are we trying to just sound tough. So often we say we’re going to fight and then do nothing to make a change.
Ephesians 6:11-20 says:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
To fight, you have to be prepared. Ephesians tells us to put on the armor of God. What is that armor?
Belt of Truth
We have to surround ourselves with the Truth. The enemy’s tactics are to throw lies and confusion into the fight. When we are girded with Truth, then we are spiritually protecting ourselves and our families. Speak Truth. Live Truth.
Breastplate of Righteousness
Being righteous means being morally right. How can we fight against the enemy if we cannot see what is right and wrong and live a life accordingly. When we hear, “Oh, there is no right and wrong anymore. It’s just everyone’s individual opinion.” There is right and wrong. That is a way for the enemy to trick you into being immoral. Stay morally right.
Gospel of Peace
Walking in peace is one of the best ways to fight. Especially when it is the “Gospel” of peace. Strife stirs up strife. Peace can calm strife. Spreading the Gospel would be very hard if we didn’t have peace to be our foundation.
Shield of Faith
Faith protects us from the enemy’s attacks. Knowing that no matter what, God will protect us and sustain us.
Helmet of Salvation
Protect your mind and soul by having the Holy Ghost. (Jesus within us.)
Sword of the Spirit
Lastly, arm yourself with the Word of God. Jesus did when He was being tempted by Satan.
Matthew 4:1-11
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Notice how the devil tried using Scripture as well? When all else fails, he twists God’s Word to try to make us stumble. When we have the Word memorized and in our heart, we have the upper hand.
Put on your armor, saints. Stand strong through each spiritual battle, even when it makes its presence known in the physical world. We’re on the winning side, so let’s live victoriously!
If this resonated with you on a whole new level, share with others who may need encouragement to become strong warriors in Jesus.
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