I hope you had a merry Christmas. Welcome to the new year!
Guess what. You’re at war.
This may not sound like a happy new year post. There’s a reason for that: it’s not. The sobering reality is that we are at war because someone is at war with us. Scripture makes this clear. After the angelic battle in heaven, Satan was thrown down to earth and “went off to make war with [those] who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17).
The Bible is not talking about physical warfare, using tanks and missiles. This battle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Again, Scripture clarifies this is a spiritual war: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Cor. 10:3–4).
So, put on the full armor of God. Stand firm. Gird your loins with truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Fit your feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith. Place on your head the helmet of salvation, and take hold of the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:13–17).
This means war.
I hope you’re ready for the new year. I pray it will be a “happy” one, but please prepare for it to be filled with trial and tribulation. Our adversary is not sitting around playing Xbox. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Those are fighting words.
Thankfully, we have an advocate, Jesus. He promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). In fact, He intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34).
We at Stand to Reason are also eager to help you this year to destroy “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5). Our hope is that you stand firm in your faith, love one another, and honor God with how you live.