Do We Really Believe In Spiritual Warfare?

  I am perplexed, at times, how many Christians either ignore the spiritual world or just simply choose not to believe in things supernatural!  It's quite astonishing to me, actually, that for those Christians that I have conversed with on this subject, some from my own church, there are few who truly understand the reality and the seriousness of spiritual warfare. 

  The reasons for their doubts or fear on the supernatural are known only to them and God! They seem to accept the verses of the bible that speak about Jesus and salvation. His death, burial and even his resurrection but after those scriptural facts they will hit the brakes very quickly! This far but no further! Why is that, I wonder?
After all, the bible is a supernatural book and it reveals within it's holy script that we serve a real, supernatural God! How is that most Christians turn away from this very real fact which his word fully details in many passages of both old and new testament?

  If one would study God's word as he has told us to one would clearly see that the supernatural world is actually more `real`, if I can use that term, than the one we call normal! After all, truth is stranger than fiction and the bible is chalk full of evidence presented before groups of people, usually, which have caused many to repent of their sin and put there Faith in the living God, and those who have declared their faith in the coming messiah, Jesus! Beyond this there remain numerous passages which tell of talking donkeys, people raised from the dead, money found in fishes mouths, floating axe~heads and the manifestation of angelic beings appearing to those chosen for God's holy work.

  In trying to answer this myself, I believe I have come to the conclusion that the majority of people, Christians included, simply fear the unknown! They don't truly believe what they can't see, feel, touch or taste. It's actually a matter of faith and not one of physical evidence, though the before mentioned events were seen and felt by a great number of people! Today's society has been slowly programmed to believe that all they need to concern themselves with is that little square box which is the space they live in. Outside of the box, apart from themselves and their own problems and challenges, doesn't exist, in their perception of things!

  In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul the apostle tells us that we must "put on the full armour of God" in order to fight in this spiritual battle. We are instructed in the pieces of armour to wear and, by the way, there is none for the backside, if you get my meaning. He states that we must put on the "helmet of salvation", "the breastplate of rig righteousness", the "belt of truth", the "sword of the Spirit" by our side and the "shoes of the gospel of peace ( speaking of taking the gospel of Christ to the world) " and, finally, and maybe the most important piece of all...the "shield of faith" that we can stop the `fiery darts` or schemes of the devil!  Being clothed in this armour assures us that we can stand against the attacks of the enemy. Without daily putting on the armour, we are fodder for Satan!

  Demonic forces, fallen angels and ungodly entities are real folks! Once we come to terms with these facts, we will then be much closer to becoming a warrior for God, readied for the fight which comes, not day to day, but, moment by moment! The enemy never stops because he knows that he has but a short time to attempt to ruin God's plans, but he must surely realize that he has already lost the battle. At the moment of Christ's birth then his sacrificial death and wonderful resurrection from the grave, Satan was defeated for all time! End of story! Perhaps not quite the end of it but certainly the atoning death of our saviour, Jesus Christ, Satan's head was greatly `bruised` and yet he persists. 

    Until the moment of Jesus return to take his church home to heaven this war will continue to wage, so be ready and be clothed in the armour of the LORD folks, because the fight goes on every day and every moment we are awake or sleeping!
Have no fear, though, and put your trust in God Almighty to protect you and bless you in the battle.


Jeff pendleton
11/3/16