In Oswald Chambers’ book My Utmost for His Highest for December 4th, he states the following:
“To him that overcometh…” (Rev. 2:7) – Life without war is impossible, either in nature or in grace. The basis of physical, mental, moral, and spiritual life is antagonism.”
The goal is to overcome anything that is not of God. We have to do battle on every front, sometimes all at the same time.
Whenever we enter a battle of some sort, we think there must be something wrong, like it is against nature. The truth is that battle or antagonism is the nature of life in this world. We are at war with our sinful nature and a fallen world. Just as we battle against disease in our bodies from the day we are born, we also battle against diseases of the mind, the morals, and the spirit.
The key is to know that the battle is not ours. It is God’s. Jesus Christ has already overcome the world. We only have to let the Holy Spirit do the work within us. It’s not easy, but nothing worth winning is easy. This is why Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the Armor of God every day.
“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.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)
First, it is a daily battle, so we must prepare every day. Second, we are not without protection. We have a full suit of armor at the ready. We just have to put it on and stand firm and allow God to fight our battles for us. Begin each day preparing for whatever the day may bring by putting on his armor and knowing that God has already overcome and won the war.