Why does the battle belong to God?

.....the answer is simple and profound....

Thank God!  He gives us victory over sin
and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    — 1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT

Life's Purpose is belonging to Jesus!

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God designed us for an eternal relationship with Himself.  ....That is why He gave us desires and a free-will, so we can make life choices.  ....Love is genuine when its an honest choice, and God wants us to choose Him from trusting, honest hearts!  

....It ....is ....that ....simple.

Just as God walked in the garden to have fellowship with Adam and Eve (see our conversation Chapter 3), ....so too, Jesus wants to walk in fellowship with us today ....and everyday on our life's journey.  ....God wants to adopt us into His family, ....so we live eternally with Him in Heaven.  That is God's original plan.  Still is!

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How did spiritual warfare start?

Here's some background....

Because Archangel Lucifer was full of pride, ....boastful, ....and jealous of God, he wanted to be worshiped as greater than God.  So God threw Lucifer out of Heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:17-18), ....and now on earth, Lucifer is called Satan the Devil.  Describing him, Jesus said....  ‍

He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies."
    — John 8:44 NLT

Satan's passion is to destroy people with spiritual death, ....separating them from creator God, ....now and for Eternity.  ....To survive, we must comprehend Satan's strategies, ....and know how he plays "life's chess game".

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Such is the source of spiritual warfare....  

For our well-being, we must understand why Satan asked "Did God really say...?"  His intent is to corrupt humans' relationship with Creator God, ....starting with Adam and Eve.  ....And he is still asking people that question today.  (See Chapter 3.)

Most people are totally unaware this world is a spiritual war zone.  Unknown to them is the supernatural world of Good verses Evil ....all around them.  That's why scripture says....

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
    — Ephesians 6:11-12 NLT

So.......

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What does spiritual warfare look like?

Okay, ....here's an obvious statement about being aware of the Devil's strategies: ...."If you don't know what to look for, ....you will probably not see it coming, ....as it sneaks up on you, ....before you know it's there."  ....Obvious, right?

Let's talk about what "it" is, ....so you can see "it" coming.  Be prepared to win spiritual warfare with Jesus' help!  ....Here are a few of the "it" strategies of the Devil, ....some quite successful.  You may be able to add to this list....

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Satan's strategy 1: tempt human "self" to not trust God

....by misdirecting people to believe they can do life on their own without God's help.  Believing in their own "subjective" truth, ....they follow wherever "self-focused" thoughts and desires lead them.  That was the strategy of Satan's first question, "Did God really say...?"  ....Its #1 because it still works so well!  ‍

Not trusting that God is good and HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE LIFE BOUNDRIES FOR OUR BENEFIT ....is the first step away from Him.  Then we start questioning other things about God's unchanging truth.  .......Once heading down that road, we make ourselves vulnerable to the spiritual enemy's lies, ....start believing "subjective" truth, not realizing we're doing life on your own ....without God's help.

This strategy is the #1 source of conflict between living by human's SUBJECTIVE truth versus living by GOD'S OBJECTIVE TRUTH found in the Bible.  We'll discuss this more in next Chapter 18.  

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Satan's strategy 2: divide and conquer human relationships

....by distracting us with contrived warfare between people's races, cultures, etc....  Such conflicts distract our energies, keeps us from thinking ....about God's love for all of us, ....about living daily for His approval, ....and seeing the value in all people ....as God does.  Recall John 3:16, ...."For God so loved ALL of 'us' people that He gave...."

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Satan's strategy 3: distract humans with too busy lives

....by making us think we don't have time to focus on God's core values in our lives.  When consumed with daily relationships, school, work, etc. ....or pursuing life's pleasures, ....our worldviews may have little time to consider our "now" relationship with God ....or even our "Eternity".  This strategy is so subtle, its easy to self-justify, ...."I'll get to it later....".

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Satan's strategy 4: remind us of our faults, weaknesses

....as though we have never been forgiven by God, ....never been helped to overcome failures, ....never been loved by God.  This one is very effective too ....in subtle ways, ....unless we keep listening to Jesus voice of encouragement and hope, ....living secure in His presence.  

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Satan's strategy 5: worship gods Moleck, Ishtar, and Baal

....to influence today's culture, ....continuing Satan's long-term plan to destroy the moral fabric of family and society.  ....Be wary of this strategy, because what Satan did in Old Testament times ....is raising its ugly head again ....by different names.

We need to "see" with spiritual eyes what is actually happening here.  Do online research for their identities, activities, and other names ....by which THESE PAGAN gODS ARE WELL KNOWN TODAY.  Understand the spiritual destruction these pagan gods cause to unaware humans.  ....We who were created to be in loving relationship with God, ....and ONLY WORSHIP THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!  See Matthew 22:37.

Images like this one from the Commonwealth Games is a reminder of the subtle influence of this "worship other gods" strategy.  Do it enough and it becomes common place.

Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith....
    — 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

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Know the Devil's warfare tactics, ....so you can make "life choice" moves against them "in Jesus Name".

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Grandpa's strategies for winning!

Okay, ....let's talk strategies for winning spiritual battles ....WITH GOD'S HELP.  This could be one of the most important conversation we have!

This is a really big deal!  Your life may depend on it.

STRATEGY QUESTIONS to ask yourself....  ‍

How important is my worldview mindset in life-choice situations?  HOW BIG IS GOD?

What is my worldview on spiritual warfare?  AM I WEARING GOD'S ARMOR?‍‍

Am I "actively engaged" in God's Word to shape and nurture my Biblical worldview?

What do you think?  Let's discuss them....

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How important is my worldview mindset in life-choice situations?  How big is God?

What can we learn from a shepherd boy about fighting giants?

We benefit from reading Biblical history to learn the "facts" of what happened.  ....But to grasp "spiritual truths" we can apply in our lives, ....we must OBSERVE THE STORY WITH DISCERNIBG EYES ....asking the Holy Spirit ...."Why?" and "How?" did this happen?  Ask how "knowing such truths" might impact our lives?

Read 1 Samuel 17 for background details on David's battle with Goliath.  ....There's a lot to see here, so let's focus on David's perspective ....as it might relate to ours.  What should we know about David's worldview, ....his expectations of God?

Why?  Because it leads to obvious personal questions....

How big is my God?  Big enough to handle a Goliath?

If not, why not?

Here's a follow-on question....

Is my worldview's hope and trust in the Lord?

If not, ....then in who, ....in what?

David arrived at camp (verse 20), "....just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries."  Then giant Goliath stepped out from the Philistine army ranks and shouted with contempt, "....you are only the servants of Saul" (verse 8).  

Seeing Goliath, hearing his taunt, ....the Israelite army ran away in fright, ....terrified, ....deeply shaken.  This "fear filled" routine continued (verse 16) for 40 days — FORTY days!  

Then David arrived, ....and stepped up to fight Goliath.  

Think about the worldview mindset of the Israelite army.  Apparently, they believed the lie ....they were "only the servants of Saul".  And King Saul was as intimidated by Goliath as they were.  ....No wonder they had no hope of winning.

Contrast David's worldview, declaring "who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?"  ....David's worldview believed he belonged to the Lord God Almighty, ....Who has already won.  Game over!

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Do you feel the life changing difference in worldviews?

How can we apply the TRUTH of David's worldview expectations in our lives?

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What's my worldview on spiritual warfare?  Am I wearing God's armor?

Have a chess game mindset.  ....Be ready for spiritual battles any time.

King Saul's worldview was sooo... different from David's.  And it's little wonder, knowing how Saul became king.  ....Reading 1 Samuel 8, we learn "all the elders of Israel" told Samuel to "Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have."  These elders have "abandoned me (God said) and followed other gods.  ....Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them...."

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning (from God). “Even so, we still want a king,” they said.  “We want to be like the nations around us.  Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”
    — 1 Samuel 8:19-20 NLT

What could possibly go wrong?  ....What we learn here is obvious, yes?....

Don't make yourself vulnerable to spiritual warfare.

....And if you find yourself in a battle, look to God for help, guidance....

It is our responsibility to be prepared for spiritual battles,

....so God can help us fight them ....and win!  Know "BY HIS DIVINE POWER, GOD has already given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him (Jesus, the Word of God)." (2 Peter 1:3)

It is our responsibility to "grow in our knowledge of God" and "make every effort to respond to God's TRUTHS".

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IT IS OUR CHOICE TO PROTECT OURSELVES....

Put on every piece of God’s armor (ACTIVELY ENGAGE) so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
  
Stand your ground (don't run in fear), putting on the belt of truth (live with integrity) and the body armor of God’s righteousness (live for God's approval).  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News (live in the peace Jesus gives) so that you will BE FULLY PREPARED.
 
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith (protect your heart) to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet (protect your mind), and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD (protect your God-focused worldview).
 
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion
....(which means ALWAYS STAY CONNECTED WITH GOD'S PRESENCE).
    — Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT

NOT run in fear?  ....meditate on Romans 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:7

live with integrity?  ....think about Psalm 119:1; Proverbs 10:9

live for God's approval?  ....ponder Phil 2:13; 1 John 2:17

live in the peace Jesus gives? ....consider Phil 4:6-7; 2 Peter 1:2

protect our heart?  ....believe Prov 4:23; John 14:1; Col 3:16

protect our mind? ....contemplate John 14:27; Rom 8:6; Phil 4:7

protect God-focused worldview? ....see Ps 119:9-16; Phil 4:8-9

stay connected with God's presence? ....read Psalm 16:8-11

.......God's TRUTHS are ours to receive, ....as we answer this question....

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Am I actively engaged in God's Word to shape and nurture my Biblical worldview?‍‍

The next 3 chapters are written to help build our "3Rs + Prayer" Bible study guide in Chapter 21.  Read them personally, ponder them deeply.  ....Come hungry and thirsty for more of God in your life.  And you will never be the same again.

May we all travel life's journey ....LIKE THIS....

Those who obey God’s commandments (TRUTHS) remain (LIVE) IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, and he with them. And WE KNOW he lives in us because THE SPIRIT HE GAVE US LIVES IN US.  
    — 1 John 3:24 NLT

Wow!!

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^{*Credit: David and Goliath image from pinimg / chess pieces photos anonymous / road signs from dreamstime / reach for apple image anonymous}