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There is no doubt that we are living in perilous times. The end of the age is coming quickly, and we see the signs of the times clearly. One of the signs is apostasy. I never thought I’d see such a weakening of Christian faith. Many who claim to be Christians embrace worldly ways instead of standing upon God’s truth.
Many say we need to update Scripture because people have changed. Be very clear on this: God never changes. Most of us read a translation of Scripture so we can read it in our own language. Some translations need to be thrown out, but even the best translations cannot be as accurate as what was written in the original language. Scripture needs to change people instead of people changing Scripture. As originally written, Scripture is our guide, and you must arm yourself with the word of God.
The Apostle Paul was aware of what would happen in the last days…in our time. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Paul never minced words when defending God’s truth, and neither should we. Why is it that today we will defend evil and declare that we aren’t to judge, while we so easily compromise God’s word? This is a spiritual fight, and we can never win that fight using human ideas and logic. Spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons.
First, the blinders must be removed, and we must understand that there is an unseen world around us that is more real than the dimension in which we live. We like to talk about Heaven and seeing Jesus, and that’s the good place that exists in the unseen realm. The other side of that truth is Satan and his minions. These evil beings are manifesting more often, but those who see them are laughed at.
When you see a UFO, call on the name of Jesus for protection. Have you seen a ghost? Call on the name of Jesus for protection. Do you hear voices telling you to do awful things? Call on the name of Jesus for protection. Humans are given a guide for the way to please God and avoid evil. But let me ask this: Do you own a Bible? I mean a good translation of what God dictated to the men who were willing to listen. If so, do you know where it is? How much dust is on the cover?
Remember, you can buy food, but if you don’t eat that food, you’ll die. Food sitting on the shelf won’t nourish you. Get your Bible out and study. Don’t just read, but study to be armed for spiritual warfare. The entire Bible will arm you, and the Apostle Paul wrote specifically about it. When he wrote letters to the congregation in Corinth, he was writing to people very much like today. They attend Christian services, but keep God at arm’s length.
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).
They were proud of their “wokeness” and accepted all sin into their congregation, but required no repentance and turning from sin. This is how Satan infiltrates congregations.
I’ve only attended one church that stood firmly against sexual sin and confronted those who participated. That church had a lot of bad teachings, but in that one area, they were very strong. When Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, he had a lot to say about spiritual warfare.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
We cannot be followers of God and embrace sin. If you’ve made the wise decision to accept Christ for salvation, then obey God in the way you live.
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:3-5).
Pay attention, and repent of your sins. God doesn’t treat sin lightly, and neither should you. Sadly, Christians side with the world in many ways. Marriage isn’t respected. One-night stands and just “living together” are common today. There’s no commitment or respect for each other. Women allow themselves to be used, and men will take advantage of the situation.
When children come along, quite often they are murdered in the womb. It’s a crime where the innocent victim of a sinful act is condemned to death. Shame on any Christian who supports abortion.
Then there’s the same-sex evil. Read Romans chapter 1 to see what God says about denying Him as creator, and accepting homosexuality. Remember, if you claim to be a Christian, you must follow God’s rules.
Marriage is seldom honored, but parents have also turned their children over to others to raise. If a baby happens to survive in the womb without being murdered, then that baby is sent to a babysitter. Mom and Dad are too busy to nurture that little person. The babysitter begins instilling their morals into your child. Then, as soon as possible, the child is sent to pre-school, then kindergarten, then to public school where the government dictates morals, while rejecting God as the One who gives moral guidance. By the time the child graduates from high school and then college, they have been brainwashed into a mindset where right is wrong and wrong is right.
Homeschooling using a Christian curriculum is the way a Christian child should be schooled. It may take sacrifice on the part of the parents, but the blessings are worth it. The spiritual battle begins in the home. Satan is trying to destroy families by leading men and women to compromise their God-ordained roles in life. Don’t be unarmed for the battle, but fight with God’s truth.
Men are given the role of leadership. This is first seen in the Garden of Eden when God gave the first spiritual guidance to Adam when He told Adam not to eat the Forbidden Fruit. Adam compromised his role when he followed Eve into sin. Throughout the Old Testament, it’s men who lead. Men fail, but only when they don’t obey God. That rule is also seen in the New Testament.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:22-24).
Satan has twisted this in the same way he twisted God’s words to Adam. He twisted truth and deceived Eve. Women have an important role in life, but Satan has caused women to think that submitting to their husbands and nurturing children is menial and unimportant work. Wrong. First, honor God by honoring a committed marriage. Choose a Godly man who is worthy to be submitted to, then submit. What does a man of God look like? Keep reading in Ephesians.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).
Sister, is the man you’re in “love” with abusive, verbally and/or physically? Does he spend the money on drinking with the guys? If you have children, does he provoke them to be angry? Or does he love you in the same way that Christ loves His Bride?
“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:32-33).
Pay attention to God, and don’t be deceived by Satan. Arm yourself with God’s truth.
Like it or not, we’re in a battle. There can be no running away from this war. Those who reject Christ and follow the ways of the world may think life is lovely and have no problems, but they will suffer for eternity after death. Christians may feel battle fatigue, but never turn away from God. Study Scripture and live as close to His directions as you can. The battle is spiritual, and the weapons you need to fight are spiritual.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
You cannot win against Satan by your own strength, but if you’re armed with His spiritual weapons, you’ll be armed for spiritual battle.
“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” (Ephesians 6:11-12).
These “non-flesh and blood” entities are the minions of Satan. Only God can win the battle. Actually, the war has already been won at the cross. Never forget that Satan is a created being and is subject to Christ. You have Christ’s power in you, so don’t shrink from the battle, but fight with God’s weapons.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
Have you done all you can? Have you become skilled in using the weapons of God’s armor? If you ignore Scripture, you haven’t done anything to fight in the battle, and you’re unarmed.
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).
In the Roman army, the weapons of war hung on a belt. We must also girt our loins with truth…. God’s truth. Study Scripture without compromise and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Take a look at Isaiah chapter 59, and see that this isn’t just a New Testament idea. A breastplate protects vital organs such as your lungs and heart. Breathe in the breath of life from God, and give Him your heart. Be faithful through righteousness. Not your own righteousness, but righteousness through Jesus.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).
You can’t fight a battle in sandals. A Roman soldier had shoes with hobnails for gripping the ground, making them more sure-footed. Christians have the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to redeem us and bring salvation to all who believe. We are no longer under the Mosaic Law, but we must follow God’s moral law. Put on the Gospel shoes and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Be bold.
As we get closer to the Rapture, we see more and more preachers being silenced. England is a prime example of a once-Christian nation that’s caving under the pressure of Muslim evil. Christians, stand strong in the Armor of God.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16.
We walk by faith. “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:)” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
Christians shouldn’t fear death. Jesus conquered death, and by faith we will live with Him forever. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:’ (Ephesians 6:17).
Don’t allow doubt to enter your mind. Protect your brain by having the helmet of salvation firmly in place. Christ died so that you can live. We are saved by grace, not by our own works. We may fail in our fight on occasion, but when we repent and ask for forgiveness, He will always forgive. Don’t allow the failures to make you think you’re not saved.
Put on the helmet of salvation and keep your faith. The items of the armor of God are all defensive. The breastplate protects vital organs, the helmet protects your thoughts, etc.
Then there’s the sword of the Spirit. This is a weapon used against the enemy to inflict harm on him. Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. Don’t allow the enemy to shoot fiery darts at you without you wielding the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within you, and fight back. Keep God’s armor on and never take it off. Strengthen it by studying Scripture. Don’t be unarmed.
Don’t forget prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints:” (Ephesians 6:18).
Prayer is communication with our Commander in Chief. The more we talk with Him, the stronger our faith will become. Even Paul asked for prayer for himself.
“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
I never think of Paul as needing help to be bold, but we all do. We all face the spiritual enemy, and we all need to be bold and fearless in living our faith.
Don’t be unarmed in the battle. Fight with all the strength of the Holy Spirit living in you. Keep the armor in place.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
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All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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The post Don’t Be Unarmed :: By Nathele Graham appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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