"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us." (NIV)
There is a war going on, but it isn’t usually a war of physical bodies. Everyday we read—in the news or on social media—or we watch on TV or the Internet the many battles happening, battles on every front. Battles about the environment, about the economy, about social morals, about rights, about wrongs, about cultures, about land. People do die, but the number of people dying is small compared to the number of people involved (both intimately and on the periphery) in the battles themselves. With the ability to network worldwide, literally thousands (perhaps millions) of people become involved in the battles. But the battles have become battles of mind and will and opinion more than battles of physical bloodshed. And while, as I said, there are people who die as a result, there are many, many more who have damaged souls! Who become obstinate, embittered, fearful, or angry. Souls, whether they are Christian or not, who become focused on the battle and who feel real effects of the warring.
"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." (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV).
There is a war against our souls, but that war is being waged by the father of deception himself, Satan the devil. He and his minions are fighting against God and the battlefield is our souls! We need to understand that the enemy is Satan, not other people and the battlefield isn’t what happens on this earth; the battlefield is people’s souls. There is not one person on this earth that is our enemy even if that person has set themselves against God. Jesus Himself told us not to battle against other people, even those who set themselves up as our enemies on earth:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. . . . Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5a;43-45a, 48 NIV).
Pray for those . . . Prayer is the weapon that we use against the battle for our souls. It is the first weapon, the most powerful weapon, and should be the only weapon that we take up. "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people" (Ephesians 6:18 NIV). The battle is definitely for our souls and for the eternal souls of all people. The Lord Jesus died for all people. He loves all people. He wants all people to be saved. This is so important! We have to begin to understand that other people (regardless of what category we place them in or what title we give them) are greatly loved by the Lord Jesus. He loves them. He died for them. He wants them to repent.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).
When we set others up as our "enemies" and refuse to pray for them and refuse to love them sacrificially, Satan begins to win an inroad into our very soul! We begin to become deceived and it becomes even harder for the Spirit to speak to us.
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:1-4 NIV).
Prayer is the key. Prayer is the battlefield. And prayer is the weapon which wins against the forces of Satan who battle for our souls. Before we talk, we should pray. Before we walk, we should pray. Before we listen, we should pray. Before we breathe, every breath should become a prayer. We are battling for our souls and the souls of those around us. Nothing is more precious than souls and nothing is more important than winning this battle! Saints, we need to pray!
© 2016 Robin L. O’Hare. All rights reserved. Permission granted for nonprofit and church groups to use this article in its entirety (including this notice). For other uses, please contact servinggodalone@yahoo.com.
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