Discerning and Winning the Real War

Struggling with flesh and blood is frustrating and a vain waste of time.

God does not struggle against man, though we naturally struggle against Him.  God loves man and wars against things that are spiritually opposed to Him.

Those who don't know God cannot possibly be in agreement with Him.  His ways aren't our ways. His thoughts aren't like ours:

Isaiah 55:7-9 NKJV — Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

If I want to live a victorious life over all that resists my freedom, I need to learn to see where the real war is.  It is never with people. People who resist good are unwilling tools in the rage of Satan against man.  God loves the people he made. He sent His son to free them, not fight them.

Satan's leadership is a lot like a virus.  Humanity in its natural state hosts it, though it is intent to destroy us from the inside out. We are called to resist Satan, not people.  Resisting Satan frees me and makes me a light to others that they could be free. Without our cooperation, Satan's wiles are powerless.

For this reason, the wise don't get pulled into conflict with people.  The wise recognize the person who is causing trouble is an opportunity to bring the kingdom into the earth.. not by forcing it on the person, but inviting it into themselves.

Logic, reason, building a case... These are a waste of time in the true war against faithfulness and God's kingdom manifesting.  

No one is saved by a good argument.  No! We are only saved by following Jesus' way, truth, and life.

Supernatural insight, patience, a well placed prophetic phrase, recognizing and resisting the devil... These are the tools of the real war and the  only way to see satan flee and relationships restored or strengthened.

James 4:7-10 NKJV — Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Knowing where someone is wrong is MUCH different than doing what is right. Knowing. Where another person is wrong isn't license to correct them, it's an opportunity to let God lead. Trying to help someone "see the light" is very different than being the light.

Ephesians 6:11-12 NKJV — Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Being annoyed about someone else's ignorance, or even disobedience, is much different than fulfilling MY obedience.  That is where victory begins.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV — For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.