WHAT ARE THE BATTLEFRONTS?

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Before identifying the three battlefronts, I want to give a little background to the great warfare from the beginning. You see, from the very beginning of creation there has been a great controversy between good and evil-God and the Evil One. There are three quick observations about this controversy that I want to mention: (1) All of life is a stage upon which the great controversy unfolds. (2) We are the players on the stage who act it out. (3) There is a watching world, therefore it matters how we play it out.

With these observations in mind you can understand more clearly the three purposes God set forth for mankind-male and female. They are found in Genesis 1:26-31. FIRST-To reflect the image of God to the world. Somehow the relationship between man and woman reflect God's image-wholeness and all that is good. SECOND-To reproduce godly children and fill the earth with them. And THIRD-To reign together over the earth-to guard and protect the garden. They were to guard and protect the garden from the enemy of God who was already there-the devil. Tomorrow we will unpack how the devil approached Adam and Eve and what temptations he launched at them.

Without going into those specific temptations, let's list out the general attacks the devil and his demons instigate against men and women today at each of the battlefronts. Although the list is not all conclusive, it is indicative of the kinds of things the Evil One uses. One of his main aggressions is to discourage you in every way possible. Whatever and whomever becomes a discouragement to you can be a major tool of the Evil One. It's important to understand that discouragement may not be caused by the devil and his demons, but they will always vote for it every time. Another aggression is to distract you away from God and what He wants for you. Distraction is a very subtle, but effective tool. And then one of the devil's best weapons in his arsenal is depression. I have found this to always be associated with the Evil One. Watch for these and know they are all part of the spiritual warfare to thwart God's work in your life and your work for God.

The spiritual warfare is really a battle for your soul. Using the tools I just listed out the devil and his demons throw everything at you in the activity of demonization-harassment, influence and control. This battle for your soul is fought on three strategic battlefronts-the world, the flesh and the devil.

All three battlefronts can be found in one passage. In Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul says: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world (Battlefront #1-the WORLD), according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Battlefront #2-the DEVIL). Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest (Battlefront #3-the FLESH).

Let's briefly walk through each one. FIRST-The world is the world-system with all its man-made principles, distractions, traps and temptations. The world-system is a powerful magnet that is constantly getting your attention and pulling you away from Jesus and His Kingdom principles.

The SECOND battlefront I want to present is the flesh. This refers to your own inner human nature that is flawed and contains a powerful inner magnet that is also pulling you away from obeying and following Jesus and His Kingdom principles.

The THIRD battlefront is the DEVIL and his demons. In addition to being pulled every which way by the outer magnet of the world and the inner magnet of the flesh, there is the activity of the devil and his demons who are continually trying to trick you and trip you up, so that you will not follow after Jesus and His Kingdom.

Wow, when you take in all three battlefronts of the world, the flesh and the devil, you could come to the conclusion that you don't have a chance. And, in a very real sense, you don't-ALONE.

It all comes down to a choice-your choice. You can choose to live your life in obedience to Jesus or you can choose to live your life without Him. Choose to relate to Jesus and He is always just a prayer away. This is why we keep urging you toward practicing three habits: 1. Keep on walking with Jesus! 2. Keep on walking with others who are walking with Jesus! 3. Keep on waiting for Jesus to give you His orders and His opportunities!

By the way, choose to live without Jesus and you don't have a prayer!