Casualties of War

 Some Christians do not understand that we are at war. That is because they can’t see the war with their physical eyes; they are blinded by the happenings of this world. For most folks, war means something where we might get an army and nukes together, and they go off to war while we sit here at home. But as Christians, we are all at war every day, Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “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.” This is not some conflict in some far off land, but it spans the whole universe. Since it is not a physical conflict, we do not use our earthly weapons in the fight that we Christians are all engaged in. Paul again wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 and 5 “…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” It is a war of the mind… It is a war of teaching and doctrine… It is a war in the way we think which leads our minds down the path of God or of the world.
     Now, because some Christians do not see that we are at war, they are not on guard against the enemy. Satan and his forces are out looking for those who are not prepared so that he can take them out of the battle. Satan is “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” 1 Peter 5:8. Thus, when you are not on guard against him, he will defeat you! When you don’t attend regularly to Bible class and the assembly… Satan has won some battles against you. When you don’t pray as you should… Satan has won more victories over you! When you don’t read the word, give of your means, or get involved…  Satan is winning. 
     We are at war! This is not a game, but serious. Jesus said you are either for me or against me! Have you been defeated, and are you now serving the enemy?