Cease Fire
Cease Fire
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6 ESV
The war between Spirit and flesh never ceases. Throw in the deception of temptation and the battle just intensifies. I don't know about you, but I'd really like it if the two sides would call for a cease fire occasionally. A respite where I could put down the Shield of Faith for a moment and the barrage of fiery darts stopped. If I want life and peace, I need to accept there's not going to be a cease fire until the enemy meets his ultimate demise in the lake of fire. Given this reality, my choice is to fight or be defeated. There is no cease fire.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11 ESV
The enemy wants to lull us into perceiving there is no battle, no conflict, no war. The temptations presented as lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life seem harmless and highly worthwhile on the surface, but the truth is these all lead to spiritual death. There can't be compromise or delusional thinking that a little won't hurt. We've been warned otherwise and ignoring the warning is worse than ignoring the poison label on a bottle and drinking it anyway. This is why it's essential that every lofty argument against Christ is destroyed and every disobedient thought must be taken captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5) As men, we are not only called to adhere to this warning but also must lead everyone in our family and sphere of influence to adopt the same mindset and adhere to it as well. Of course, we don't do this in our power or by our own strategies, we do this by submitting to the Spirit and then leading those in our care as we're directed.
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
Psalm 55:18 ESV
So where do we find the endurance, the strength, and the will to stay in the fight to the end? In Christ alone! Jesus has given us many promises, through scripture, for us to focus on in the midst of the battle.
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Joshua 1:5 ESVNo temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESVSubmit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 ESVI have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 ESVLittle children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 ESV
On my own, my strength will fail. On my own, my endurance will run out. On my own, my self-denial will give way to temptation. The enemy is counting on me to be self-reliant and ultimately to quit. This is precisely why there is no cease fire. Through life experience, I know this. I recognize that by truly dying to self and surrendering to the leading of the Spirit, my ability to finish the race and achieve eternal victory is assured. Even though victory has already been won through Jesus’s work on the cross, the battle still rages until His return. Until that time, I must stand firm in my faith and realize the enemy won’t relent. Through Christ, I am more than a conqueror.