There is no darkness in light. My people have fallen to accept what cannot be accepted. A great fall is of deception, not only of the unbeliever, but those who bear my Name. I have not changed. I do not bend to the wind of human desire. Be careful of your step, for the day will call good as evil and evil as good. Grasp firmly My Word in all your ways. The ground becomes slick with growing deceit. Seek My counsel in prayer, for My Spirit pays no heed to falsehood, and rejects those who speak with forked tongue. You will know them as I know them. Hold fast to the faith that is shield, and wear tightly the belt which shines forth truth. Walk steadfast in the Gospel, for this first is target for doubt from mud underfoot. Eyes fixed forward to the light that guides. Brace together the body, for the ground shakes with adversity, and he who fights alone will not stand. To those who know My voice, let them rise with haste in the strength of their God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Bottom Line: As much as we love to think of God as a peaceful, loving and forgiving God, there are many scriptures that indicate that at certain times, He is a Warrior. We too are called to be warriors. Like those in the military reserves, regardless of their day job, when the call comes for them to serve, the accountant, the bricklayer and the physician, all stand shoulder to shoulder ready to receive their marching orders to uphold and defend whatever it is that needs defending. If you are a true follower of Christ, one of the elite of Heaven’s Reserves, you too are called to defend the people and Kingdom of God whenever the times warrant. In most cases, we are called to be the peacemakers, loving and blessing those around us, but there are also times of attack on the Kingdom, where being the forgiving, passive Christian is not our role. Paul was not mis-inspired when he wrote Ephesians 10, and Jesus was not out-of-character when He turned over the tables in the temple. Fellow Christian – there are times also when we are called to publicly and blatantly reject what the world is pushing, and stand strong against the advance of the enemy. Be ready with His armor close and sword sharpened; our call into the battle may be close at hand, or is already here.
