Trained to War

Genesis 14:14-16 (Lot was taught to prosper and to live comfortably but didn't know how fight against his enemies and therefore did not train those in his house how to fight. When his enemies came to attack, he and his whole house was taken captive along with all his possessions. Abraham's house was a different story).

There is still a great spiritual warfare going on today for the lives of men and women, young and old. As Christians, we must understand that this war is, first and foremost, a spiritual war that manifest itself in the natural realm of our culture and society at large.

 #1. Where did war originate? Revelation 12:7-11 NKJV; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 12:17 (Vs.17 enraged=a passion that is furious and raging with a desire for revenge and death)

John 10:10 NKJV (This is why there are ambulances, hatred, racism, violence, murder, vulgar language, disease, addictions, selfishness, bullying, funerals, tears, cemeteries, and heartache).

      a. This is why Jesus said in Luke 21:9-11 NKJV that in the last days there would wars and commotions (instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion)

Physical wars are products of the spiritual warfare being orchestrated behind the scenes by Satan and his organization of demonic forces. The New Testament reveals an invisible hierarchy of evil powers who deceive and manipulate human behavior, thereby advancing satanic strategies.. Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:12 NKJV

#2. Jesus came to the earth to wage war against Satan and his kingdom, to redeem the human race from the slavery of Satan, the bondage of sin, and to show His Church, born again believers, how to act toward the devil and his works. 1 John 3:7-8; Acts 10:38 (there was no one here to help the people..... Matthew 9:35-38 NKJV

   a. Jesus was victorious!! Colossians 2:15 NKJV

   b. Jesus has gone back to heaven, so who is to carry this victory? Who is to continue waging this spiritual warfare on earth, right here in Rockport, Camden, Maine, and America to do the works of Jesus and bring the good news of freedom and liberty to every human being. After his resurrection, Jesus sends us all out to do what he did: "As the Father has sent me, I also send you" (John 20:21 NJKV). And he gives us his authority to do it: Matthew 16:19 NKJV.. Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. GO THEREFORE..” Why else would He have given us His authority if we weren't supposed to use it?

The attitude of so many Christians today is anything but fierce. We're passive, acquiescent (ready to accept anything without protest or resistance). We're acting as if the battle is over, as if the wolf and the lamb are now fast friends. Good grief—we're beating swords into plowshares as the armies of the Evil One descend upon us and is stealing, killing, and destroying. We've bought the lie of the Religious Spirit, which says, "You don't need to fight the Enemy. Let Jesus do that." It's nonsense!! It's unbiblical!! It's like a private in the Gulf War saying,

 “My commander, General Schwarkopf,  will do all the fighting for me; I don't even need to fire my weapon.”

We are commanded to "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 NKJV) We are told, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9); “Wage the good warfare”; “Fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12; 1:18); 2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NKJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds..”

 “Rescue those being led away to death” (Proverbs 24:11).

Seriously, just the other day, a young pastor, on tv, said, “We don't need to fight the Enemy, Jesus has won. I believe that the best way to fight is to lay our weapons down and just rest in Jesus.” 

Yes, Jesus has won the victory over Satan and his kingdom. However, the battle is not over. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NIV

"Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."

After he has destroyed the rest of the Enemy's works. Until then, He must reign by bringing his enemies under his feet. Jesus is still at war, and he commands us, as His body, His army, to do spiritual warfare and reign with Him!!

Romans 5:17 (NKJV Strong's)

For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)  Ephesians 3:10-12; 20-21 NKJV