Where is the Battle?

If you have ever spent anytime in the Word of God, or time listening to sermons you have a some point heard about putting on the Armor of God. I have heard this many, many times, and have read the Scripture about this armor many times. (Ephesians 6:10-18).

In my natural mind and thoughts, I imagined arming myself for this battle of the wicked evil world system, as if I was some demon slayer. I laugh at this imagery as it swirls in my head, I think often in the realm of cartoons not epics.

In doing serious Bible study over the last several years, I have been transformed by the Scripture and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in ways I don't have enough days to explain. One of the ways I have been transformed is in understanding this Scripture. We are to arm ourselves to battle our own fallen flesh that is still attached to us. Scripture tells us in Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in OPPOSITION to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Did you get that, your flesh is in opposition to the Holy Spirit that now lives in you as a believer. The battle is inside you. The battle is not everyone around you, you can not fix those around you and then magically your life will be all sunshine and ease. That is a lie straight from satan. We are to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh. The flesh wants to keep you engaged in the chaos around you, the fight with your family member, the person at work that doesn't pull their load, the in-law that is always critiquing you, the spouse that is never happy, the hypocrisy of others, the list goes on and on. The flesh wants to keep you in this chaos, so that you are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Transformation, into the likeness of Christ happens when we walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh, so the flesh wants what it wants, which is in opposition to the Spirit. Transformation into Christlikeness happens when we study the Word of God and the Holy Spirit empowers us to DO what we have learned. The fruit the Spirit bears in our life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The battle is in us, and the battle against our flesh is a step by step battle. We have to arm ourselves to fight our flesh, not everyone around us. They must fight their own battle, we are to be lights to them of the transforming power of God in our lives. We are to put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

What battle are you fighting? Are you armed with the Word or God? Are you opposing your flesh?

The flesh will never produce anything but corruption, and chaos, it will NEVER produce Spiritual fruit in your life.