The Truth is We're in the Battle

While God does allow Satan and his demons to "wrestle" with us, that wrestling can always be redeemed, and God is always ready to step in on behalf of a repentant believer. The truth, though, must be applied specifically, not just bandied about in general terms. Like it or not, we are in the ring against satanic forces. Every believer. The truth, though, must be applied specifically, not just bandied about in general terms. Like it or not, we are in the ring against satanic forces. Every believer is involved in spiritual warfare, even though he or she may not know it. Spiritual warfare cannot be fought at a distance, as if you can let others do it for you. No, it is hand-to-hand combat. The way to succeed in the battle is found in the verses surrounding the biblical warning of Ephesians 6:12. The victory is ours if we "put on the whole armor of God, that {we} may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," if we "take up the whole armor of God...in the evil day" (verses 11,13). The enemy is no passive observer. When we are commanded to "stand against" the enemy's lies, our position is active, confrontative, and direct. Being watchful is the critical element for becoming engaged in the battle. Many Christians simply avoid or refuse to recognize this truth that they're in a spiritual battle and needful of spiritual armor. Their refusal to recognize the battle is often the thing that keeps them bound in chains to the tortures of the enemy. How that do we wrestle effectively against this enemy of our souls? We find instructions in Ephesians 6:10-18. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Your Mission

Paul wrote to the Colossians because there was heresy being brought into the church. In order to destroy false teaching he taught them the truth. "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:28,29). Before his conversion to Christ Paul had been a member of the Sanhedrin. He had been a strict Jew of the sect of the Pharisees. Paul really knew what bad new was, it was living as a legalistic Pharisee, apart from God. Once Paul received the revelation of the grace of God it became the theme of every conversation. He couldn't stop talking about Jesus and what the Lord was doing in him. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he would warn (counsel) and teach (instruct) everyone in the wisdom of God, with the purpose of presenting them to the Lord as mature (perfect) believers. Paul didn't just preach the gospel, he preached the whole counsel of God. Paul proclaimed a person (we proclaim Him), not just a philosophy. Paul had to expend physical, mental and spiritual energy toiling to this end. The entire statement shows that through faith in Christ we can link our life with a source of strength that enables us to rise above our natural limitations. This was a total change from his Pharisaical days when religious duties were performed in the flesh. We live in a day when good is called evil and evil is called good. Anyone who stands for the truth taught in the Scriptures is likely to be castigated by being labeled intolerant. Paul knew it takes Biblical truth to change a life and he wasn't afraid to stand up and declare it. How about you, are you willing to proclaim Christ, that others might come to know Him? Are you helping others grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.