On this Veterans Day, I don't want to take away from the sacrifice and duty the men and women have performed for our nation's armed forces. So first of all THANK YOU veterans of the US armed forces everywhere.
But thinking about what the men and women do for our country, I thought about the definition of a veteran:
a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war.
The combat veterans of this nation, take an oath to serve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America against all threats, foreign or domestic. There is a sound doctrine upon which they will take a stand - and fight! They choose to do this these days. And as the definition explains, they are likely involved in physical battle in some form of war; be that a war overseas, or certain peace keeping missions.
And I salute them.
When they have to perform their duties, especially in combat, they suit up in various specific uniforms and gear, with weapons suited for their missions. They prepare for war, and go in their battle gear.
And some wars never end for some of these veterans.
But these thoughts brought me to the concept of spiritual warfare, and I couldn't help but think -
Where are the spiritual veterans?
Because, let's face it; there is a war going on all around us, every day, between good and evil. Naysayers and atheists will deny this... and that's fine; veterans fought for their right to do that. But it doesn't change the fact that the war is still on.
Look around us. There is a constant war on for our minds. Satan has convinced a handful of people to persuade all of us down through the centuries with entertainment - entertainment that glorifies violence, debauchery, and sexual deviance. Let's see, let me think long and hard on what was prevalent throughout the Roman Empire......oh yeah; violence, debauchery, and sexual deviance.
Right.
Look how even the mainstream news can't even hide the fact that rich, powerful men are sexually exploiting younger women, and even CHILDREN.
Look at how people have taken the way God made them, and metaphorically spit in His face by saying, 'No thanks Lord - I'm gonna do it MY way' - when it comes to religion, the institute of marriage, and even how one 'identifies' oneself.
Look at how violence is even incited in the public mob by government officials, but then glossed over as emotional patriotism.
Look how abortion is being cheered on in court rooms. The death of CHILDREN, being praised!
Yet there are those evil people in government with so much more in mind, by driving forward such a notion.
Look how Islam is conveniently embraced by the self righteous godless, simply because they're afraid their pawns known as Muslims will turn and fight them, too... 'wouldn't want to anger them when they're doing our job for us.'
Look at how humanism is supplanting anything we once held traditional because of Judeo-Christian foundations; now we are legislating God not just out of government (fine: separation of church and state is one thing), but forcing it out of people's lives.
And yet - people are taking a stand in many places, against these evils. Are these perhaps, some of our spiritual veterans?
How does one fight in a spiritual battle, for the forces of good, anyway?
It turns out, God gave us a BDU.
Ephesians 6: 10-18 says this:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Really look at verse 12.
Against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world? If we want our armor to stay on us, we better wear the belt of TRUTH to hold it all together, and right here in the WORD OF GOD, it says, WE LIVE IN A DARK WORLD.
Hard truth for many to swallow. But, God gives us the rest of the armor, and the greatest weapon in the history of history.
A veteran in this spiritual battle can stand in peace and not incite violence - but when attacked, can get behind his faith and stand firm. He is protected by salvation promised to him through the blood of Jesus Christ, and he can counter attack with the Sword of the Holy Spirit...scripture.
He tells us to be alert. When you are bombarded by evil on all sides; when people are lying to you and want to coerce you into accepting those lies - fight them with the Word of God. Mind you, we don't need to pick a fight, but God did not create any one of us to be a hapless victim.
He gave us armor for a reason.
I am one of these people who surely did not take up arms for my own country and go fight battles overseas. Those that know me know how much respect I have for the veterans who have served.
But I am also one of these people who can't sit back and watch these dark principalities take over... not without a fight. Call this a metaphorical call to arms; call it a warning not to be complacent; call it just some guy with an active imagination, and sit on the same boat to the dark side of the river with the atheists and naysayers.
But I challenge the rest of us out there, people like me and others in my family -
Stand behind the shield of faith. Hold on to the truth. Counter attack lies with God's Word. Tell others you know the same TRUTH you know. Recruit, recruit, recruit.
Then, you know what those dark forces will have to face in this dark world, when it's all said and done?
An army.
Any one of us can be a spiritual veteran out there... so suit up.