Declare War

I was watching my son play the card game, "War" with his friend. The purpose of the game is to take all of the cards of the opponent. This is done by dividing the cards amongst the players, everyone puts down a card without looking at it, then whomever lays down the highest card wins the pile. Sometimes during the game, a standoff has to be done when the same card is laid down by all of the players. Each player states "I-de-clare-war" while putting a card face down with each syllable of the phrase except "war." "War" is when a car is placed face up to see who has the highest card and the winner collects all the cards played in that session. The excitement is turning over all the cards won and seeing the results. These war standoffs are game changers because someone could win all of the high cards, which will allow them to win the game.

While I was watching them play this game, God gave me a Word. Sometimes in order to win in life challenges, war has to be declared. I was like, "war, what do you mean by that God?" He put in my remembrance 2 Corinthians 10: 4.6 The Amplified version says:

4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.

The spiritual war isn't just when something bad happens, but it is when something good happens too. It's every day all the time. What do I mean by something good? Example: when doubts of the blessings God has given come in and thoughts of 'this is too good to be true,' declare war. When thoughts of 'I'm not good enough for this high paying job,' declare war. Declare War by praying and seeking His face by reading His Word and worshipping Him. War is declared because self-sabotage tries to come in our minds. Another type of war is when God reveals purpose or instructions on what has to happen next. War is declared to try to come against the promises God has for you.

It's time for a spiritual declaration of war to be done and get back everything the enemy keeps trying to destroy. It's time to go after God's promises. God talks about a group of people pursuing the promised land in the Bible. God didn't give it to them without a fight. The fight is being obedient to God. The fight is having faith. The fight is being consistent. The fight is never giving up. The fight is worshipping God. This is how we fight. No more just sitting on the couch doing nothing. Only do nothing if you have direction from God to not do anything. Prayer is the most powerful weapon, not to just tell God what's going on, but to get direction from Him. In order to get the promises of God, obey what He tells you to do. He will never steer you wrong.

It's like a parent promising something to a child, but first the child has to bring home As and Bs, but why was does the parent want the child to work hard to get good grades? Because the child will be successful if they make good grades. The parent is asking the child to obey for an immediate blessing and a future blessing for themselves. God does the same thing to us. Obey him for the now and for the future blessings. He has our best in mind.

Prayer: Father, God, we lift up everything that is coming against us to You. Give us the strength, wisdom, endurance to go to war for Your will to be done. We want to do the purpose God has for us but we know we have to go to war for it. Please protect us and surround us with your love. In Jesus name, Amen.