To know the battlefield is the challenge every committed Christian faces. The whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth as it waits for God’s glory that was lost when Adam sinned, Romans 8:22.

The Reality

Our attitude towards things is more important than the things themselves. A fact may remain fixed, like  a  battlefield, but our interpretation of the fact changes, depending on how we perceive the fact.

This world is a battleground where many are wounded and even killed in the fight between good and evil. Sin entered the world that God had created perfect, but the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. Yet, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. To those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.

The vast majority of mankind have come to think of this world as a playground. However, the reality is we are on a deadly battlefield that impacts our lives into eternity. The choices we make will remain long after this battleground has passed away, and there is a new heaven and a new earth, Revelation 21:1.

The Battlefield

Life is all about survival for there are tremendous spiritual forces present in this world. Evil powers are bent upon our destruction, for Satan is the ruler of this world, John 12:31, a liar, and a murderer from the beginning, John 8:44. He is the prince of the power of the air, and his spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2.

However, the Son of God has all authority from the Father, both in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18. Our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8. He is determined to drown, swallow, or discredit our testimony.

Satan’s Limitation

However, Satan cannot operate outside the authority of what God permits, Job 1:8-12. Job was a pious man, but he went through a baptism of fire that would have demoralized and destroyed most people. Yet, there was a purpose to it all. After nine months of fiery trials Job saw God in a totally new light. I have declared that which I did not understand. Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know, Job 42:3.

The facts for Job had not changed, just Job’s perception of who God is had. God was at work all the time, nudging Job’s thinking until he ended up an overcomer.

Spiritual World

We live in a physical universe, but we are influenced by the spiritual realm which is as real as if there was a parallel universe. Calvary is a great example of this as Christ drank His cup of agony. The crowd gathered around three crosses on a hill on which were nailed the ‘worst sort of criminals’. It seemed that Satan had finally managed to kill the Messiah promised in the Garden of Eden when Adam first disobeyed God, Genesis 3:15.

From that moment on Satan sought to kill whoever he thought was God’s promised Messiah, for even Satan knows that when God speaks, His word will come to pass. God’s word cannot return to Him void without accomplishing what God desires, Isaiah 55:11.

Adam’s actions did not take God by surprise for the great I Am That I Am, knows the end from before the beginning, Isaiah 46:10. Calvary was Satan’s failure and God’s absolute victory. It is all about how you perceive the battlefield.

The Real Battle

The real battle at Calvary was taking place in the spiritual realm. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,  John 3:16.

Christ not only paid the penalty for all the sin of the world, but overcame death and the grave, Matthew 28:6, in the greatest battle of all time. He made the Way, John 14:6, for all mankind to return to a relationship with God. One that was much better than what Adam had in the garden of Eden. The battle of this world was won, once and for all, Hebrews 10:14.

The Way

Jesus Christ offers the only way of salvation through faith in the death and resurrection of the Son of God, John 3:16, for Christ is the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even if he dies, John 11:25. Christ is our surety, of guarantee of eternal life long after the battles of this world are silenced, Hebrews 7:22.

To obtain victory in the battlefield we call life requires that we align ourselves with God through faith and obedience. Without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. The conviction of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you, 1Peter 5:6,7.

We were made in the image of God, Genesis 1:17, to fellowship with Him, for we were bought with a price so great it is impossible for us to comprehend its value, or standard of measure, 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Secure Victory

The important fact about our battlefield is that our victory is secure in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:57, for we do not fight the battle alone. God promises He will never leave us or forsake us, Hebrews 13:5. The battle belongs to the Lord, 2 Chronicles 10:15, and He is our Captain, Protector and the Guarantor of our victory.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour, Isaiah 43:1-3.

Know the Battlefield

History has long been littered with wars, revolutions and ideological conflicts. However, the greatest battlefield is the internal one. Fears, doubts, traumas and ambitions create their own psychological and internal battles.

The war for our soul is where Satan excels. He desires that none should be saved, while God desires that none should perish but all come to repentance. All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23.

However, God gave man a free will to either choose God’s way or reject God’s way of salvation. The key is to know the battlefield does not alter, and how to deal with it in the spiritual realm. The weapons of our warfare are spiritual, 2 Corinthians 10:4, and our victory is secure in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:57. You were designed to be an overcomer, naturally and spiritually.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a freelance writer who enjoys researching a topic and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God.

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