Not Your Average Soldier

 There is something awe inspiring about a Navy Seal. It brings to mind post-9/11 images of men capturing hostages in the most extreme cases in the Middle East. It conjures up memories of the capture and assassination of Saddam Hussein, and the harrowing training and complications associated with this feat. A Seal is the cream of the crop, and requires intense training and skill in order to carry out the responsibilities of their job. Not just anyone can be a Seal, and most of us would not be able to pass the rigorous standards required for the position.

First, a Seal must be a man under the age of 28 (I'm out). They must also be an active-member of the U.S Navy. A Seal must have great vision-not just 20/20, but at least 20/40 in one eye, and 20/70 in the other. They must be a U.S. citizen and pass physical screening that has set requirements for swimming, running in boots and pants, sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups. There are minimal rest periods allowed between each activity, and to be frank, most of us could never achieve this level of fitness!

Even with extensive training, a Seal is still subject to failure and could fall victim of casualty in training and in combat.  Seals are human and therefore, have limitations. While they have been given top of the line armor, it's not guaranteed to protect them in any and all situations. Being a Seal involves a great deal of personal risk, and while highly revered, they are still men who answer to their commander. This commander is also human, and is subject to failure and defeat. While this group of soldiers are some of the best we've got, they are not infallible and their efforts and victories will see failure and success.

I will never be a Navy Seal. I don't fit the qualifications, and I never could and yet I am a soldier. Not only am I soldier, but my Commander is not subject to failure and defeat. He hands out the best armor to His soldiers and when worn properly, it sufficiently protects us for the battles of this world. The weapons of our warfare don't wound others, but rather defend us from a very real enemy-the god of this world, named Satan! 

God has given us 7 pieces of armor to guard ourselves, but our armor is quite different from the armor of a Seal. What does our armor include?

Belt of truth- the foundation of our faith is based on truth

Breastplate of righteousness- put on righteousness to protect our hearts

Proper Footwear- Guiding our steps from dangerous paths

Shield of Faith- to extinguish the flaming darts of our enemy

Helmet of Salvation- protects the mind from damaging blows from our adversary

Sword- the Word of God is our sword

Prayer- such a powerful weapon we are privileged to have access to.

Practically speaking, how do we see these pieces of armor play out? While there are many examples, we will only name a few. Whispering scripture when faced with temptation of any kind is a powerful way of escape and provides victory over the temptation. Choosing to stand up and speak truth in a world full of lies and deceit is an effective use of our belt. Refusing our feet entrance into places that will bring us down spiritually is good use of our footwear. Putting safeguards in place to keep us accountable from viewing things that are harmful and will lead us away from godliness is another use of our armor. Doing the right thing when it's easier to fit in, exercising faith in the midst of fear, and saying "no" to indulgence of our fleshly desires, are all good indications that we are properly armed.

All around us, there are opportunities for our enemy to attack. But we are not your average soldiers, fighting with man-made weapons. Instead, we have armor that is trustworthy and has stood the test of time. We've been given every weapon necessary to withstand the attacks of Satan, and when we keep our armor on, we will not fall to our adversary. We have the privilege of knowing the final verdict for Satan: failure, defeat and eternal punishment. We also have the joy of knowing our end is secure in Christ. We will never be defeated because our God will be victorious. And while life can be full of trials and temptations that can seem like defeat with our world-focused mind, God has not left us alone without offering us protection. He has given us the tools needed to be victorious over Satan's schemes against us, so that we can live with confidence in the middle of spiritual combat. Let's keep our spiritual vision sharp, living under the protection of our Undefeated God and the armor He graciously has given us. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, ESV).

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8, ESV).

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7, ESV). 

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16, ESV);

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the armor You have graciously given us. We often feel weak and we easily fall, only to realize we took off the armor You have given for our protection from the enemy. Help us to stay armed, and to remember we serve a God who is undefeated and will never fail. We have complete security in You, Lord. We pray this in Your name, Jesus, Amen!

Satan's Attack on my Marriage- Part One

     We were "that couple".. the one serving the Lord, useful in our community, living out the truth of God's Word in our home, and faithful to our church testimony. We were interested in spreading the gospel and demonstrating the love of God to others. Satan doesn't go after the quiet christians that pose no threat to his evil schemes. He wants to take down those that are building up God's kingdom, and destroy their usefulness to the Lord. One specific area of attack is on a godly marriage, which is just what happened to us.
     Is it worth living for the Lord if we are opening ourselves up to attack from Satan? Is it better to just lay low and keep quiet about the gospel and how God works in our lives? If we are silent and not living a testimony for Jesus, we lose eternal rewards. That is a pretty high price to pay for momentary "peace". We hold knowledge of the most powerful truth there is- Jesus died to set us free from sin! Being active in God's work will always be the best path for our lives, no matter where it seems to take us on our journey. We CAN arm ourselves against Satan's attacks, knowing they will come. It's when we don't properly arm ourselves that we will quickly find ourselves in trouble.
     Apart from personal daily scripture reading and prayer, what else can we do to protect our marriages? Do you read and pray with your spouse? Do you spend time together alone? Do you make each other a priority? Do you take vacations, just the two of you? Do you build one another up, and encourage each other? Do you seek the spiritual good of your husband or wife? Do you make intimacy a priority? Do you talk about your day in detail? When a spouse is not # 2 (# 1 is the Lord, not yourself;) there will be problems. If you assign yourself as #1, you are really in trouble. This is what happened in my marriage, and the sting of it hurts!
     We live in a world that has distorted marriage. Our world is selfish and sinful, and its effects are felt in God's definition of marriage. Marriage isn't a "unless I find something I want more" kind of thing, it was meant for the remainder of our lives. The Bible specifically says that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Marriage is a life long commitment, and one we should take seriously. Satan loves to pose situations and people as opposition to what God has planned for us. He offers a woman or man that SEEMS like a much better fit. If we are not armed with God's Word, and living in constant communication with Him, we open ourselves up to his evil plans for us. God's plans for us are good, but Satan's are evil. Why would we ever choose what isn't God's best for us? The results of giving in to Satan's evil plans are so far reaching, and traumatic to all involved. The price for this sin is so very high! Be on alert, dear friends! The damage to falling is ugly and painful, and completely avoidable! Tomorrow, we will touch more on how Satan blinds even believers to sin. But for today, let's look at these scriptures for help in arming ourselves against Satan's battle for our marriages, and our usefulness to Christ. 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8 ESV
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16 ESV
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14 ESV
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 ESV
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to guard ourselves, and arm ourselves against the attacks of Satan. We know they will come, and we want to be ready. Help us to have the courage to stand firm in our faith, and to stay committed to our marriages in a world that puts little value in what You ordained. Help us to recognize the voices that speak to us, and may Your voice always be louder than Satan's. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!