“Space the final frontier…” these words live in the hearts and minds of all loyal Star Trek fans.
Did you know that on December 20, 2019, the U.S. created another branch of the military. It’s called the U.S. Space Force. Space Force organizes, trains and equips personnel in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint forces.
There is another unseen threat that comes from the space of the spiritual world. The apostle Paul speaks about it in Ephesians 6:11-13, “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
The devil is continually scheming to weaken and destroy the defenses of your faith in Christ. He wages war against you for the territory of your heart and soul. He wants to discourage, create doubt, disbelief, and apathy regarding your Christian faith. You are in a spiritual battle with a spiritual enemy that you cannot see. How can you defend yourself against the unseen enemy? Here a just few things you must do to be victorious in your “spiritual space war.”
First, decide whose side you are on. There are only two sides in your spiritual war. God’s or the devil’s. Jesus comments in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me…” You think you can be neutral in this spiritual battle. You think you can be middle of the road and not have to choose a side. You are wrong. Neutrality is equivalent to spiritual death. You have already lost. The devil has captured you. You are his war prisoner, and you don’t even realize it.
Elijah, the prophet of Israel, told the people, “If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal [is god] follow him.” If you believe Christ is the Son of God and Lord, then step up, take a stand, make a decision, stop being indecisive, stop being uncommitted. Make a full heart, mind, and soul commitment and follow the Lord! Choose the Lord’s side and with His help you will be victorious in your “spiritual space war”.
Second, shore up your spiritual defenses. Paul lists the weapons you must fight with in your spiritual battle. Read Ephesians 6:14-18. They are not bombs, missiles, M-16’s and RPG’s. A spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons. Your weapons are the truth of God’s word, righteous living, peace with others, faith in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, immersing yourself in the Word of God, praying frequently, and persevering in the Lord’s strength and might, as He fights alongside you. Train and discipline yourself in the use of your spiritual weapons.
Third, don’t desert your platoon. In the armies of this world, when a soldier flees in the heat of battle, it is considered desertion. Sadly, many soldiers for Christ in the heat of their spiritual battle run away. They desert the Lord and their fellow soldiers. They lie to themselves thinking they don’t need the church while they work out their confusion, their sadness, their difficult circumstances. But unfortunately many never return. They join the long list of deserters from the Lord’s army. They are the like Paul’s traveling companion, Demas, “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me …” (2 Timothy 4:10). Soldier, if you are a deserter, and you read this article, think how the Lord did not desert you in His spiritual battle to redeem you from eternal judgment and punishment. He didn’t desert you while praying in the Gethsemane Garden, knowing the soldiers were coming to arrest Him. He didn’t desert you, while the Roman soldiers tore the flesh off his back and sides. He didn’t desert you while He hung on the cross to save you from sin and God’s wrath. Soldier of Christ, return to the Lord, return to His platoon, the church, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25) Return to active duty, soldier, in service to the Lord!
Fourth, Drop the ruck sack of sin. A ruck sack is a back pack used to carry the soldiers equipment. Soldiers often go on ruck marches. The purpose of these marches is about the physical challenge of getting from point A to point B with all essentials on your back. The ruck sack can weight up to 70 pounds. You, Christian soldier are on a march also. You are marching from point A, this world, to point B, the heavenly Zion. Unfortunately, many of our fellow soldiers attempt this march with a ruck sack full of sinful practices and habits. The Hebrew writer challenges us to “…lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us…” (Hebrews 12:1). Oh, Christian warrior, lay aside the sins that weigh you down and make your march to the heavenly Zion so much harder. Take off the ruck sack down, confess your sins, repent of them, and forsake them. Your march will be lighter. You will be stronger in righteousness and faith. You will be a more effective and productive soldier in the Lord’s army.
Win your “spiritual space war,” by putting these four training exercises into practice. Recall Peter’s words, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Solider, don’t let the devil devour you! — Tom
