FIGHT BACK

I can recall at the age of 5  having my first opportunity to put into practice what my mother and my aunts taught me about fighting back. It seems, that I came out of the womb to them teaching me how to fight back.  So I'm a kindergartner  and I found myself in the grips of a  mischievous, and relentless little boy that was determined to lift my skirt, and  look under my dress. (Yes they start  that young!) I have to this day vivid memories of me yelling "stop, quit-it".  I remember going in circles for what felt like forever  trying to get out of the boy's arms, but he would not let me go.  I know my mother was close by, but apparently she wasn't close enough when this broke out. I can recall a fear coming over me. The fear of not knowing what was going to happen if I lost the struggle with this little boy. I also remember that I wasn't fighting back.  Yelling stop, and pulling away was not getting the job done.  I'm sure you've heard of the term "fight or flight" as a natural defense mechanism. Well I was trying to run and couldn't? So I had to fight. I took my free arm and drew it ALL the way back, came around, and smacked this little boy so hard in the face that I surprised myself!!?  It was so loud that it appear to echo,  and I'm not exaggerating. The next thing I know the little boy had loosed his grip, and ran off yelling and crying to his mother! I couldn't it worked?   My mom, being a third party witness has a similar account of this story, and now we both laugh about it.  Needless to say moving forward I learned to use what my momma taught me! Lol. 

As children of God we are sometimes conflicted on how we should fight back effectively.  Although fighting back naturally may make us feel good about standing up for ourselves, it does very little to amend the problem in the spiritual realm.   

Ephesians 6:12 says: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places(or the heavenly places). 

So, it is no wonder that we are faced with complexed issues that some of the smartest, and most powerful people in our governments can't fix! Mass shootings on innocent people.  Twisted vigilante  justice against innocent  officers.  Trigger happy policemen killing unarmed surrendered citizens.   Prejudice, racism and hate. These are all natural issues that we have no idea how to fight and win  physically.  That is because this is a spiritual fight, and one that only the children of God can suit up for.  

True believers are the light of this world, and we carry the strength of God within us. So we as Christians must be properly prepared.  Yes, we know we are called to love. But unfortunately many believe that love doesn't involve standing up for the standards of God, or fighting back with the Word of God.  Read Ephesians 6:12-18.   There is a list telling us how to defend,  and offend.  

In order to fight back effectively, we must be righteous through Jesus Christ.  

Also, it is the truth of the Word, and our shield of faith, which protects us from false doctrines, and lies that are presented in the form of human reason. 

We must protect our minds, with the truth that our salvation is safe with Christ.  When we have the assurance of who we belong to, and what our Father has already done we can win the battle against Satan.  Then finally, but most importantly we must use the ONLY offensive weapon in our arsenal, the sword of the Spirit.  Meaning you're gonna have to swing! If we don’t know how to "use" the Word of God to fight back it's like having a loaded gun in our hands and refusing to fire at the threat.  The Word of God is how the Children of God fight back spiritually. This is the only way to to fight against the evil forces that use people to commit horrible ungodly acts. It is also how we fight to win the personal battles in our lives.  Read  Luke 4: 1-13 where Jesus used the word of God only, to fight back against the temptation of the devil. But take note, it first says "He was filled with the Spirit". If you are carnal, or someone who likes to play both sides of the fence...Warning, this may not work for you. Take self inventory and make sure you are exercising your spiritual disciplines according to Ephesian chapter 6.   This is why it is extremely important to know the word of God, apply the word of God, and put it on repeat! It is the only way that we will be able to fight back and win.   

  We must be protected and armed with the Word of God.  We have to know  exactly how to use every verse, command,  promise of God, and truth of God to destroy the lies of the enemy, and stop his attacks against God's people.  

How Should I Live: Spirit Vs. Flesh

Okay, so we are back to living by the spirit. I was studying in Romans Chapter 5 and Paul is saying that Christians should live in the Spirit. Of course I've read, and meditated on this many times in the 19 years that I have lived for Christ. But, I am always having to remind my self that the real blessings, the abundant life of a Christ follower is in The Spirit.  This can become hard for a lot of people because we tend to live by our senses. What we can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.  And to a certain degree it just makes common sense to cater to those things for the most fulfilling life experience doesn't it?  But, in Matthew 6:33 Jesus is telling His followers that we should not worry about the needs of our senses because that is a supply that comes standard.  He reminds us how He daily supplies for the birds and even plant life automatically, and we are much more important than they are. These are the words of Jesus Christ, The son of God-Creator of the heavens and earth.  

 He says don't worry about what we're going to eat, what we're going to wear, Jesus goes on to say don't even worry about what you may need tomorrow! (we are all guilty of that one).  But the Bible says, the very things that keep us alive, the things that we are identified by we should not be concerned with. 

  I can't help but think about how obtaining material possessions and status in society continues to "drive" people for more of this. Now I would dare to say that most of us are not starving to death, living in condemned buildings, and wearing dirty rags. A large portion of us have our basic needs met, and many are thriving beyond the basic needs to survive.  (I am not ignoring the homeless or the poverty stricken people in the world. The word does say that the poor we will have with us always. Matt 26:11 ) But the majority of people we are exposed to have their basic needs met.  So why do we seek for more? If all of our needs are met, its no longer a need but a desire or want. I don't think it's all bad to want to have things beyond our basic needs, but what place of importance does it take in our overall life. How does it drive you to live? 

 Paul says here in Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

So in other words, we know that we are not living by the spirit if most of our thoughts, and actions are focused on how to make the flesh stronger.  We want glorious houses, better cars, the best wardrobes, the most coveted and high profile careers, and elite people in our close social circles.  This is what people want  because it is what the world respects. And I would dare to say that even Christians believe that this is what makes a man blessed and favored of God, more so than a life that is thriving in the spirit, when we KNOW it will all burn and add up to nothing.  In the Bible,  Mary, a woman who was not wealthy nor had a high social status was chosen by God to carry the Savior of the world in her womb. Mary, was called blessed and highly favored,  by God.  (And He is the one that counts!) 

 When we live according to the spirit, our thoughts are consumed with how we can serve God in His Kingdom. We are concerned with how to grow our spirits, and how to grow closer to God so that we can walk the correct paths in this life, that leads to eternal life and not only for ourselves but for others!    

  If most of what we seek God for leads back to something that makes us appear more glorious in the eyes of the world then are we really walking in the spirit? The Spirit's primary concern are the things of God, and not so much how He can make us appear blessed in the eyes of the world or our social circles, or our family?  Yes, the word says He will give us the desires of our hearts, and He will!!  But at what cost? We know that God often gave the Children of Israel  the desires of their hearts(which we found was not God?) and they receive a leanness of soul!(PS. 106:15) That my friend,  is a horrible trade off!  God wants our desires to match His desires  for our lives, which is always tied back to Him!  We should not confuse natural possessions with the blessings and favor of God only, because people who do not live for God or want anything to do with Jesus have many great possessions and power in this world, but it's going to die with them. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven because they won't corrupt, rust, or ever go away. Those of us who walk after the spirit know how we should be living, and for WHOM we should be living.  So lets stay focused!