The Battle

Where hatred resides,
Let love prevail.
When hatred prevails,
Have love reside.

I awoke to the Lord speaking those words to my spirit one morning. It seems there is so much hatred in the world today, whether it is one race against another, one religion against another, one denomination against another or one believer against another. Even in our own personal life it is so difficult not to respond to hatred with hatred. Our nature wants validation for the injustice we think has been imposed upon us. As if hating them back somehow childishly takes the pain away or evens the score. We need to realize our battle is not against one another...

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

Our battle is against the powers of the dark world and and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Let us not allow the evil forces to use us as pawns in their battle plans. Instead let us get ready for the real battle. Are you ready for battle?

"to prepare for battle" we need to put to death our earthly nature.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5

"to dress for battle" we need to clothe ourselves in what... compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

"to go to battle" we need to walk in love...
before you ever walk out the door or open you mouth or hit send!

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:14

Above all be covered with the aroma of Christ...which is love.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

To respond in love to people who have offended you is difficult merely in the fact that it is a choice, a choice contrary to our nature, contrary to our desires, contrary to our logic. It is however, the very nature of God. So where does that leave us? To choose God is to choose love. Only when we allow God to transform our nature can we truly respond in love. We need to let love prevail and reside in our lives. I believe that love is the most powerful weapon we have against the powers of darkness...
Let Love Prevail!