Typically, when we Americans think of war zones, we think of far off lands, physical violence, terrorists and/or people groups we often don’t understand.  Since we are not personally affected, physically engaged, or even daily witnesses through news outlets, we tend to become apathetic and/or desensitized to the plight of others.  Most people make the false assumption, based on historical events, that we have not had a war on US soil since the Civil War.

But what if I told you we ARE in a war?  Every day. Right here. Right now. It is being waged all around us.  In our fast-paced, First World lives we either forget this and don’t engage, or worse, are oblivious to the battles and war going on.  And these battles affect us personally, even though we can’t physically see them!  

Recently, the Lord gave me a vision of a battlefield that was littered with wounded Christians on the ground, some bound in chains and some walking around completely oblivious that they were even on a battlefield.  There was so much work to be done to heal the wounded and free those in chains, but not enough help. I felt the sadness of His heart, seeing His beautiful bride so broken and defeated and disengaged.

This is why God saw fit to give us spiritual armor.  We have a very real adversary, with a hierarchal army of demons who are intent on keeping us wounded, indifferent, fearful, prideful and bound in all sorts of chains we don’t even realize we are wearing.  This is NOT who God called us to be.  Jesus came to set the captives free!  

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

¹⁰A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[d] 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.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^[e] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^[f] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

We have been given armor, strategy, weapons, and a call to prayer.  As the day of Jesus’ return draws nearer and nearer, our world becomes darker and darker.  We are in a season where it is absolutely critical that we get engaged in the war.  However, to be effective soldiers in the army of God we need to submit to healing and deliverance from wounds and things that hinder us.  We need to understand who God is and we need to understand who WE are in Christ.  We need to learn how to use and appropriate the weapons God has given us.  And we need to understand the authority that has been given to us to bind and loose.  

Are you prepared to be a warrior for the Kingdom of God?