2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephesians 6:11,12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This fallen world we live in is a battlefield, not a playground. Do not be deceived, beloved; Satan is a real devil, who has a host of demonic forces who are actively engaged to steal, kill and destroy you. His most effective weapons are covetousness, pride of life, lusts and pleasures of this fallen world. Satan is the god of this world. He reigns as king over this world’s media, fashions, and entertainment (1 John 5:19). Satan hates biblical words like contentment, godliness, purity, and sacrifice. Satan wants me to think about me all day long. My comfort. My needs. My desires. This world system is not set up to help us grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This fallen world system is strewn with thorns that are designed to choke the life of God out of you.
That is one reason why God has provided for each and every one of His enlisted soldiers the armor of God. Before we get dressed for work or school each day, we must make sure that we put on every single piece of this armor. Do you know what the armor is? It is God’s anti-world protection attire. It guards our hearts and minds against the fiery darts of deception and the enemy’s relentless attempts to snare us with the fatal attractions of this world system. Like it or not, the world is going to be coming at you 24/7, nonstop, no breaks or breathing room. That is why it is vital to recognize your “soldier status”. But I do not want you to be obsessed with the enemy. I just don’t want you to snooze or be lulled into a mindset of truce with this world. I want you to stay focused on Jesus and pleasing Him. The greatest offense is a great defense. Dress well this morning, beloved. Walk in the victory of Jesus.
