The Fight of Faith

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

War changes the tenor of men and nations. During the Persian Gulf War, residents of the countries represented by the coalition forces were transfixed for weeks. Both citizens and soldiers were alert to the slightest developments, keenly aware the next maneuver could mean victory or defeat, life or death. When the conflict concluded, concern gradually diminished; and life returned to the ordinary routine for most.

Every believer in Jesus Christ is involved in a fierce spiritual struggle. Unlike wars that begin and end, we face an incessant foe in the devil who never relaxes his evil desires. Thus, we can never let down our guard against Satan’s weapons of doubt and deception. He cannot affect our eternal destiny for that has been secured by Christ’s death and resurrection; but he certainly can disrupt our present state of affairs with his rebellious scheming.

Be alert. Be vigilant. Be disciplined. You are in a fight of faith, a real war with casualties of great proportions. Wake up each morning with your game face on and engage the enemy with confident faith.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Corinthians 10:4