Stand Up And Fight

We have an enemy.

I know people don’t like to hear that or even to think that, but it’s true. Especially if you are a Christian, you must learn to live with the fact that you (and I) have an enemy.

But it’s not who the world is trying to tell you it is.

It’s so easy to get sucked into society’s hatred, which seeks always to draw battle lines in the sand over any kind of difference or disagreement. You have a different skin color? Then you’re on one side and I’m on the other, and we’re enemies. You voted for a different political party? Then you’re on one side and I’m o the other, and we’re enemies. Even in so-called “religious” circles, enemies can still be found (hello, Catholics and Protestants!)

And that’s exactly what the REAL enemy wants.

Scripture, however, makes it clear that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12).

Our fight is not against other people; it is against the devil. And, make no mistake–his work is all around us. Even if you’re not a Christian and you don’t believe Satan is real, I bet you would at least agree with me on this one point: evil is alive and well in the world. Watch five minutes of the news, scroll through social media, or even just take a gander at the happenings in your own neighborhood. Chances are, it won’t be hard to find people wronged, crimes going unpunished, and lives being shattered.

Darkness is everywhere, folks. So what are we supposed to do about it?

FIGHT IT.

Don’t get me wrong–I’m not talking about militant Christianity here, and I’m certainly not talking about meeting violence with violence. But I am talking about casting off the tendency to sit around bemoaning the state of the world, moping, living in fear, or being stuck in despair. I’m talking about rising up and choosing to FIGHT for LIGHT.

There is a reason Ephesians 6 talks about a Christian’s life in terms of warfare: it’s because it is. But because we aren’t called to fight things of this world, we also can’t use the weapons of this world in which to do it. The world fights with violence, hatred, oppression, and fear. Christians are called to equip themselves with the “full armor of God,” which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (see Ephesians 6: 13-17). We fight the enemy of God with the weapons of God–and the weapons of God aren’t weapons at all in the traditional sense of the word. They aren’t meant to kill or wound; they are meant to enlighten and heal.

So, Christians, equip yourself. Ready yourself. We are not called to win the war—God has already done that–but we are called to fight the battle. If you see darkness, hatred, or injustice in your family, friends, neighborhood, or town, don’t cower in fear or allow bitterness or complacency to take root. Fight back. Pray for God’s guidance to show you how to use His weapons to counterattack. Fight the darkness with light–love those who hate, speak words of peace rather than war, showcase hope in your life rather than despair. Choose God…and choose Him over and over and over again. Because the world desperately needs to see they have a choice.

The enemy is cunning, crafty, wicked, and unfortunately, you are I are living in a world where so many have been taken hostage by his lies. Choosing to fight against his dominion is tiring. But I can also promise you that, if you do, you will also see that it is battle worth fighting.

And you won’t be doing it alone.