Preparation for the Battle

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13

The Middle East conflict was a highlight film of readiness. Each day’s broadcasts usually contained a segment of how tank mechanics, flight crewmen, soldiers, and other military personnel took extra precautions to clean and repair their respective tools of war.

Fighting a spiritual war involves similar painstaking preparations. We cannot participate and enjoy the spoils of Christ’s triumph over Satan without personal cleansing from sin. The Bible calls this repentance. It means we turn away from behavior that violates God’s commands and practice what is right in His eyes.

Like abrasive desert sand, sin clogs our fellowship with the Father, disrupting our clear sense of His direction and creating static in our relationship to Him. The all important line of communication with the Captain of our Salvation is garbled, making victory more difficult.

Repentance will not happen until you are serious about sin. See it as God does. Hate it as He does. Understand its crippling effects on the man of God. Prepare yourself for the good fight of faith by identifying obvious sin, turning away from its practice, and in faith looking to God for His righteous help. You will be ready for the struggle with a clean and pure heart.

“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called...” 1 Timothy 6:12