| Please note: Each
scripture is linked to The Bible Gateway. Scriptures will open in
a separate window in your browser while this window will also remain open.
You can click back and forth between the two windows. Once you have
read all of the scriptures, you can close that window. |
War–you probably hear about it in different parts
of the world in the news and now our country is waging a "war" against
terrorism. There is even the threat that our country may again go to war
in the Middle East. Jesus said these things would happen. In both Matthew
24:6 and Mark
13:7 Jesus taught that there will be wars and rumors of wars
and that we are not to be alarmed. You can be aware of the troublesome
subject of war and its effects without being alarmed, because God loves
you and is in control.
There is another war, though, that definitely
needs your attention. It is a war in which you have an active role. It
isn't a war in some distant place that you've never heard of. It is a war
that you are already in. Yes, it's true. It is a war against your soul.
In fact, the apostle Peter, warns about this war:
| 11Dear
friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from
sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live
such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing
wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits
us. –1
Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) |
The apostle Paul also points out that
our war is a different one than that of the world–that it is against the
forces of evil in the heavenly realms:
| For though we live in the world,
we do not wage war as the world does. –2
Corinthians 10:3 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. –Ephesians
6:12 (NIV) |
Wow! Did you know that? Had you thought about
that before? You are in a war. And it isn't the sort of war that
most of the people in the world know or think about. The war you are in
is one against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms! So,
what does that mean? That scripture in 1
Peter 2:11 says that to fight this war, you need to "abstain
from your sinful desires." Abstain means to avoid, resist, or give
up. So in order to fight in this spiritual war you are in, you need to
avoid, resist, and give up your sinful desires.
Whenever you are tempted to do something you know
is wrong, you should remind yourself that this is war. And because
of Jesus, it is a war that you have the ability to win! Don't give in to
the temptation of sin. Each time you resist, you have won a spiritual battle
in the heavenly realms! What a warrior for God you are when you do that!
With the help and guidance of God's Holy Spirit, you can win the war against
your soul.
Copyright © 2003 Kimberly
B. Southall. All rights reserved.
|
