The REAL battle

 Ephesians 6:11-12

King James Version

11 Put on the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to stand 

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, 

against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Any war is a spiritual war.

And we happen to be ignorant on many fronts.

Much as man refuses to think so.

We think the enemy before us is real.

What is more real is the enemy BEHIND the enemy.

Who do we think that is?

Do we really think Israel is battling Ham and Hez alone?

Do we really think they're battling Iran, and other allies alone?

Do we really think any battle can be won by ourselves?

That's why Satan's laughing.

Even as he, himself, has a "serious learning disability".

Man has no idea who he's really fighting.

Neither has he any idea who instigated the wars.

Much less know he's a pawn in all these.

A spiritual battle is quite simple.

There are only two fighting it.

Satan fighting against GOD.

The least, took on the GREATEST.

The created, took on the CREATOR.

Which is a no-win situation.

The enemy is truly deluded.

And because he cannot defeat GOD, he uses "proxies".

He uses men, and particularly women.

He even "jumbled" all the genders.

Which resulted in even more perverse thinking.

Corruption reaching the core and marrow of our being.

And we wonder why we get sick.

Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.

With Satan at its core.

Now, turn everything around.

Imagine you're born again.

Being taught by the HOLY SPIRIT.

Following the LORD's commands.

Believing in JESUS.

Loving GOD.

Repenting of your sins.

Living by the Bible.

How can you possibly lose?

Not content with defiling us, the enemy went for the jugular.

He wants to destroy Israel.

He assembled all the envy, and hatred, among people.

Israel is successful, because GOD made her successful.

She is  GOD's holy nation.

Anyone who fights against Israel fights GOD.

Anyone who challenges Israel, challenges GOD.

How do you think GOD will respond to such attacks?

Yes, Israel is far from perfect.

She has sinned many times against GOD.

She hasn't acknowledged JESUS as Messiah.

But she has not lost GOD's love for her.

He chose her for His own, perfect purpose.

He judges her, as He sees fit.

You think Israel had it easy?

She has caused herself to stumble too often.

Her idolatrous nature invited GOD's wrath constantly.

But GOD's love prevails.

This is the real battle.

Between GOD, and Satan.

Between Israel, and the world.

Between love for GOD, and love for self.

Satan will manipulate your mind.

He will feed on your emotions.

Especially if you are harboring lust, greed, pride, envy, and vanity.

He will fuel your heart with hatred.

He will fill your mind with malice.

He will give you illusions and delusions of power.

Why else these wars?

World domination is simply a lust for power.

It's all pride, lust, greed, ego, vanity, delusion.

All the while, Satan gloats.

He has infiltrated the minds of men.

He has corrupted the women.

He has made the men corrupt the women.

He has made women corrupt the men.

Worse, they're headed for the children.

Incurring JESUS' wrath.

The LORD warned all of us:

Matthew 18:6-7

King James Version

6 But whoso shall offend 

one of these little ones which believe in me, 

it were better for him that a millstone 

were hanged about his neck, 

and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! 

for it must needs be that offences come; 

but woe to that man 

by whom the offence cometh!

Neither can you touch Israel:

Zechariah 2:8 

King James Version

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; 

After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations 

which spoiled you: 

for he that toucheth you 

toucheth the apple of his eye.

GOD expressed His love for Israel:

Genesis 12:3

King James Version

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, 

and curse him that curseth thee: 

and in thee shall all families of the earth 

be blessed.

So, when I look at all the wars, I can only shake my head at man's ignorance.

For they know not who leads them to their destruction.

If GOD leads you, you will surely experience life, and victory.

If you let Satan lead you, expect death, and defeat.

GOD will always lead you to heaven.

Satan will always lead you to hell.

ETERNAL LIFE?

Or eternal fire?

You choose.

Related material:

CAUSE of wars

Spirit BEHIND wars

Being FREE of the spirit of war

CHOOSING is EASY

The FORGOTTEN principles

It's all PREPARATION now

CHRIST's soldier

FULL ARMOR

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Another UH-OH moment

 Isaiah 49:24

King James Version

24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, 

or the lawful captive delivered?

A year ago, I had another uh-oh moment.

And when I get such moments, I pay particular attention.

That moment was when the U.S. released Iran's frozen $6-B for a prisoner "swap" in September 2023.

Here's an excerpt from Fact Check:

"Five Americans were released from Iranian jails and returned to the U.S., and five Iranians who had either been charged or convicted in the U.S. received clemency. The other part of the deal freed up $6 billion in previously frozen Iranian assets."

-- By Saranac Hale Spencer

Posted on May 10, 2024

Those funds which belong to Iran (held in South Korean banks) were supposed to be used for "humanitarian" purposes.

Did it go to humanitarian purposes?

Yeah right, as if you can dictate that to Iran.

We also learned it was released through Qatar.

If Iran's money was released through them, that means they're "bff".

And then October 7 happened.

I shall leave the rest for you to research.

All I know, being a person of common sense, and having a simple "1+1=2" brain, is that things can be pretty simple.

That is, if you care to look.

And if you know the nature of the parties involved.

Somehow, you know what's coming.

Who dances with whom?

Who benefits from whom?

Which nation is the real target?

What do these nations stand for?

Are they consistent?

Or are they consistently inconsistent?

Who really cares for Israel?

Who wants Israel destroyed?

What happens when you've got the money to do so?

What happens when you've got the proxies in place?

Do you think Iran went shopping for groceries?

What did they shop for?

Who's really fooling whom?

Who's been duped?

Who's the only one awake?

What does he do?

Thing is, Israel's not a sleeping David.

He knows he's not loved.

So, he armed himself with FIVE "smooth stones".

One for each Goliath brother?

We need to look into that another time.

For now, know this:

Israel is a nation sitting 

upon the ROCK that is CHRIST.

Nothing could be more solid.

Can anyone destroy GOD's holy nation?

Can anyone annihilate the apple of His eye?

Methinks people need to read the Bible.

Better yet, be born again.

And GOD's SPIRIT will truly teach you.

And humble our proud selves.

As we come to know GOD is in CONTROL of EVERYTHING.

That He allows things for a season.

For His purpose.

In the fullness of time.

And then, GOD acts.

Are you prepared when He does?

Any war, anywhere, can be ended now.

As is true with Israel, is true for every other nation.

People must turn to GOD.

2 Chronicles 7:14

King James Version

14 If my people, 

which are called by my name, 

shall humble themselves, 

and pray, 

and seek my face, 

and turn from their wicked ways; 

then will I hear from heaven, 

and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land.

People must believe in His Son, JESUS.

Matthew 13:58

King James Version

58 And he did not many mighty works there 

because of their unbelief.

PEACE comes through CHRIST alone.

John 14:27

King James Version

27 Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

As it is, people are proud.

Deceived, deluded, debauched.

Vain, vile, vicious.

Not realizing VICTORY is THROUGH JESUS alone.

We all have serious learning disabilities.

It's that proud, Luciferic heart that gets in the way.

JESUS said so.

Matthew 15:19

King James Version

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, 

murders, adulteries, fornications, 

thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

As born again, I live by the Bible.

I write, warn, and worship.

I wait for JESUS.

That will be a GLORIOUS day!

Which every born again longs for.

In GOD's own will, and time.

Related material:

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CAUSE of wars

Spirit BEHIND wars

The DAY I KNEW

On GOVERNMENTS

HONORING Israel

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

CAUSE of conflicts

We shall make several statements:

Covetousness causes conflict.

Covetousness causes war.

Covetousness is idolatry.

Proof?

FIRST, look to history.

What has history shown us, so far?

Man wanted to conquer.

He wanted to dominate.

He wanted to be lord of all.

He wants what you have.

If he wants your resources, prepare to be duped.

Or invaded.

If his king, or queen, wants your country, prepare for colonization.

On the pretext of teaching the heathen.

If he is jealous of your economy, prepare to be sabotaged.

He will feed upon your labors.

If he wants your people, prepare to be invaded.

And enslaved.

SECOND, look to Scripture.

From the heart comes covetousness.

And all the sins associated with it.

Born from Satan, its father.

JESUS declared:

Mark 7:21-23

King James Version

21 For from within, 

out of the heart of men, 

proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, 

fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, 

lasciviousness, an evil eye, 

blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, 

and defile the man.

Covetousness causes "war" within ourselves.

James 4:1-3

King James Version

4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? 

come they not hence, even of your lusts 

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: 

ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: 

ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, 

because ye ask amiss, 

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Man is never content.

Nothing can ever satiate his desires.

He is envious, greedy, acquisitive.

Proud, pompous, preening.

Deceived, deluded, divided.

Vile, vain, vitriolic.

Always wanting to have what another has.

Whether it be a person, a piece, or a property.

He simply has to have those.

He has this "urge" to possess, dominate, and acquire.

Expanding his property, possessions, and power.

Expanding his authority over all.

As far as his ego would take him.

Oftentimes, through any means.

Not caring for consequences.

Covetousness is "idolatry":

Colossians 3:5

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

When man adores possessions, he worships a different god.

The covetous man is ruled by Satan.

Many may not want to admit it, but it is so.

There's only GOD, or mammon, to choose from.

JESUS pointed these things to us:

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:14-15

King James Version

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, 

heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

A born again has no use for unnecessary possessions.

We make do with what the LORD gives us.

We are grateful for anything He blesses us with.

We look to how JESUS lived, and we emulate the same.

We are focused on GOD; not possessions.

We don't want to be "possessed" by anything.

All could be gone.

In an instant.

In these end times, we need to focus on these:

1 Timothy 6:6-7

King James Version

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, 

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Timothy 6:11

King James Version

11 But thou, O man of God, 

flee these things; 

and follow after righteousness, 

godliness, faith, love, 

patience, meekness.

1 Timothy 6:12

King James Version

12 Fight the good fight of faith, 

lay hold on eternal life, 

whereunto thou art also called, 

and hast professed a good profession 

before many witnesses.

ALL belong to GOD anyway.

We are deluded if we think we own anything.

All is on "loan", for the betterment of society.

For the opportunity to love others.

For obedience to GOD's will.

It was never for self.

Chuck covetousness.

It never did anyone good.

It weighs our spirits down.

It causes unnecessary wars.

It keeps our eyes focused on Satan.

Who only cares we fall.

As he did.

Related material:

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CAUSE of wars

Spirit BEHIND wars

Being FREE of the spirit of war

Idolatry

Sin AWARENESS

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

HOW a GREAT king FIGHTS

 

1 Samuel 29:6

King James Version

6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, 

Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, 

and thy going out and thy coming in with me 

in the host is good in my sight: 

for I have not found evil in thee 

since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: 

nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

How would a great king fight?

What would it take for him to fight?

How would he defend his people?

Where would he get his counsel from?

How would he recover his people, who have been taken captive?

How would he treat his soldiers?

How would he divide the spoil?

What ensures his victory?

What does he attribute his victory to?

Compare David's experience with what Israel is going through right  now.

Notice the similarities.

Notice the differences.

1 Samuel 30:1-2

King James Version

30 And it came to pass, when David and his men 

were come to Ziklag on the third day, 

that the Amalekites had invaded the south, 

and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, 

and burned it with fire;

2 And had taken the women captives, 

that were therein: 

they slew not any, either great or small, 

but carried them away, 

and went on their way.

1 Samuel 30:3-5

King James Version

3 So David and his men came to the city, 

and, behold, it was burned with fire; 

and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, 

were taken captives.

4 Then David and the people that were with him 

lifted up their voice and wept, 

until they had no more power to weep.

5 And David's two wives were taken captives, 

Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, 

and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

1 Samuel 30:6

King James Version

6 And David was greatly distressed; 

for the people spake of stoning him, 

because the soul of all the people was grieved, 

every man for his sons and for his daughters: 

but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:7-8

King James Version

7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, 

Ahimelech's son, 

I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. 

And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, 

Shall I pursue after this troop? 

shall I overtake them? 

And he answered him, 

Pursue: 

for thou shalt surely overtake them, 

and without fail recover all.

1 Samuel 30:9-10

King James Version

9 So David went, 

he and the six hundred men that were with him, 

and came to the brook Besor, 

where those that were left behind stayed.

10 But David pursued, 

he and four hundred men: 

for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint 

that they could not go over the brook Besor.

1 Samuel 30:11-12

King James Version

11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, 

and brought him to David, 

and gave him bread, and he did eat; 

and they made him drink water;

12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, 

and two clusters of raisins: 

and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: 

for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, 

three days and three nights.

1 Samuel 30:13-14

King James Version

13 And David said unto him, 

To whom belongest thou? 

and whence art thou? 

And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, 

servant to an Amalekite; 

and my master left me, 

because three days agone I fell sick.

14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, 

and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, 

and upon the south of Caleb; 

and we burned Ziklag with fire.

1 Samuel 30:15

King James Version

15 And David said to him, 

Canst thou bring me down to this company? 

And he said, 

Swear unto me by God, 

that thou wilt neither kill me, 

nor deliver me into the hands of my master, 

and I will bring thee down to this company.

1 Samuel 30:16-17

King James Version

16 And when he had brought him down, 

behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, 

eating and drinking, and dancing, 

because of all the great spoil that they had taken 

out of the land of the Philistines, 

and out of the land of Judah.

17 And David smote them from the twilight 

even unto the evening of the next day: 

and there escaped not a man of them, 

save four hundred young men, 

which rode upon camels, and fled.

1 Samuel 30:18-19

King James Version

18 And David recovered 

all that the Amalekites had carried away: 

and David rescued his two wives.

19 And there was nothing lacking to them, 

neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, 

neither spoil, nor any thing 

that they had taken to them: 

David recovered all.

1 Samuel 30:20

King James Version

20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, 

which they drave before those other cattle, 

and said, 

This is David's spoil.

1 Samuel 30:21

King James Version

21 And David came to the two hundred men, 

which were so faint that they could not follow David, 

whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: 

and they went forth to meet David, 

and to meet the people that were with him: 

and when David came near to the people, 

he saluted them.

1 Samuel 30:22-25

King James Version

22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, 

of those that went with David, and said, 

Because they went not with us, 

we will not give them ought of the spoil 

that we have recovered, 

save to every man his wife and his children, 

that they may lead them away, and depart.

23 Then said David, 

Ye shall not do so, my brethren, 

with that which the Lord hath given us, 

who hath preserved us, 

and delivered the company 

that came against us into our hand.

24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? 

but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, 

so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: 

they shall part alike.

25 And it was so from that day forward, 

that he made it a statute 

and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

1 Samuel 30:26-31

King James Version

26 And when David came to Ziklag, 

he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, 

even to his friends, saying, 

Behold a present for you of the spoil 

of the enemies of the Lord;

27 To them which were in Bethel, 

and to them which were in south Ramoth, 

and to them which were in Jattir,

28 And to them which were in Aroer, 

and to them which were in Siphmoth, 

and to them which were in Eshtemoa,

29 And to them which were in Rachal, 

and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, 

and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,

30 And to them which were in Hormah, 

and to them which were in Chorashan, 

and to them which were in Athach,

31 And to them which were in Hebron, 

and to all the places where David himself 

and his men were wont to haunt.

Now you saw how a man of GOD, a great king, governs.

You saw how David sought GOD first -- BEFORE battle.

You saw how he fought his enemies, and recovered his people.

You saw how he honored his tired soldiers who could fight no more.

You saw how he divided the spoil.

You saw the kinds of battle GOD prepares His people for.

Most importantly, you saw how GOD cares for His people.

Especially an anointed king of His.

And a chosen nation of His.

GOD ensures the faithful's victory.

But VICTORY, and GLORY, always belong to GOD.

David knew that, thus, his approach.

Are you a man of GOD?

Then, you know how we fight.

And win wars -- of any sort.

ALWAYS from the SPIRIT of GOD.

ALWAYS for GOD's GLORY.

ALWAYS through JESUS.

For these are evil times.

Expect constant ambush from the enemy of CHRIST.

Who feeds upon unbelievers.

That's where the real battle is.

2 Corinthians 4:4

King James Version

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded 

the minds of them which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, 

should shine unto them.

Ephesians 6:12

King James Version

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, 

against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I thank John MacArthur for his sermon, which gave me this  Samuel chapter to weave from -- so very apt for these times.

Related material:

SPIRITUAL WARRIORSHIP

SOLDIER of CHRIST

WARRIOR of the SPIRIT

Image: Free Bible Images

EVERY TIME man boasts

 

Hebrews 1:14

King James Version

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, 

sent forth to minister for them 

who shall be heirs of salvation?

Every time man boasts, I can only think of GOD's POWER.

The times Satan boasted, I could only think of JESUS.

To point things out, we shall quote Scripture here.

And you shall see what JESUS is capable of.

In the previous post, JESUS reminded His disciples:

Matthew 26:53-54

King James Version

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, 

and he shall presently give me 

more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, 

that thus it must be?

That's truth.

JESUS could have prayed to the Father on the spot.

And GOD would have sent "more than twelve legions of angels".

How many soldiers comprise a "legion"?

In a 9 August 2021 post, SPIRIT and I wrote:

"A legion is between 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers.

Multiplied by 12 legions?

That's 48,000 to 72,000 angels 

who could have easily assisted the LORD JESUS.

And if ONE could easily slay 185,000 enemies of God, 

can you imagine what 72,000 angels could do?"

Yes, it only takes ONE angel to slay 185,000 in one night .

2 Kings 19:35

King James Version

35 And it came to pass that night, 

that the angel of the Lord went out, 

and smote in the camp of the Assyrians 

an hundred fourscore and five thousand: 

and when they arose early in the morning, 

behold, 

they were all dead corpses.

Not only that.

It also only takes ONE angel to bind CHRIST's main enemy.

Apostle John saw it for himself:

Revelation 20:1-3

King James Version

20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, 

having the key of the bottomless pit 

and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, 

that old serpent, 

which is the Devil, 

and Satan, 

and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, 

and shut him up, 

and set a seal upon him, 

that he should deceive the nations no more, 

till the thousand years should be fulfilled: 

and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Now you see why I laugh at man's foolishness.

Thinking he's all powerful.

Smart.

Invincible.

We don't know what we speak of.

Only JESUS has power. 

Know more through the next post.

Related posts:

The MAGNIFICENCE and MAJESTY of GOD

the LORD's restraint

GOD's ANGELS

On ANGELS

Image: Clipart Library