Wrestling Match

In this fight against good and evil, who are we fighting against? Who fights our battles? How can we be victorious? What is the armour of God?

Ephesians 6:12 “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”.

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”.

The Bible makes it clear that we as Christians do not wrestle against humans, against things that we can see in this struggle between good and evil. Therefore we need to be prepared as we go throughout or journey to literally “hit what we cant see”. You may not know it but the devil is a very smart person, he knows your weaknesses and he will do everything in his power to get you to serve him. The battle we right are against powers, against doctrines that test out faith in Jesus. Against things that seem right, but in the end will lead to bitter destruction. Ponder this passage of Scripture:

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”.

We must focus, and realize that the enemy is more powerful than we think. He will not hit us with things that we can see with the naked eye, we must have on the armour of the Living God to win this battle. Think about it: the devil knows that if he comes right out and says “serve me”, no Christians whatsoever would do it. This is why he uses different tactics. He does it subtly, through the television, though music, though movies, through ego, through role models. He wants to be served as if he is God, so we must be on guard at all times so that we would be able to defeat the adversary, who is the devil himself.

Spiritual Warfare

As the text has told us, the battle we are in is not against flesh and blood, not against mere humans, but against spirits, against the rulers, against spiritual wickedness. You may not see it right away, but trust me it is there. Have you ever listened to the rapper Jay-Z? He is known as a hip-hop mogul and has sold millions of records during his rapping career. ‘Run this Town’ was a popular song for him and one that most of the world became acquainted with because of its catchy lyrics and retro beat. Listen to some of the worlds he uses in the popular song during his verse:

“Black cards, black cars. All black everything”

“You can call me Cesar, in a dark ceasar”

“It’s the return of thee God, Peace God…”

“Ain’t nobody fresher I’m in Mason”

Now some would look at these quotations and ask the question: Whats the big deal? Let me tell you: if you watch the video, you would see the setting that is being portrayed. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Rihanna are in all black, with a lot of persons following behind them in all black, carrying sticks, torches and other weapons. If Jay-Z is calling himself “Hova” or “J-Hova” which is a name that is only meant for the Most High God, who is he comparing himself too? Sure, he uses a different spelling but the sound and meaning is the same. He also says that he is ‘Mason’ which a short term for the Free Mason society. On the internet you can find a lot of information about that society, and why it is something that the Christian would not want to indulge in.

You may also know the song ‘Empire State of Mind’ ft. Alicia Keys. It was one of the biggest songs released from his album, The Blueprint 3 and was number one on the Billboard charts. You may be someone who hasn’t heard it or innocently listens, but let’s highlight some of the things Jay-Z says in this song:

“If Jesus paying Lebron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade”

“Hail Mary to the city, you’re a virgin. And Jesus can’t save you, life starts when the Church ends”.

Wow. What a bold statement about the Most High. This man is actually comparing himself and the Saviour Jesus Christ! Now for you basketball fans out there, I think you would agree that Lebron is better than Dwayne Wade but even still, how could he bring the Saviour of the World down to a level that He would be even paying a mere man? Jesus died for the sins of Lebron James, there is nothing that Jesus has to pay for Lebron, Jesus is God, and Jesus created Lebron and Jay-Z. The only thing that Jesus Christ paid for Lebron is the price on Calvary’s Cross so that he, you, I, Dwayne Wade, and even Jay-Z would have a chance at Eternal life with Him. And this is the type of thing we put into our minds each day.

Secondly, this song goes against the entire teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If Jay-Z is telling you that Jesus can’t save you, which is an obvious lie because that was His sole mission while He was here on earth, then who is Jay-Z saying that CAN save you? He says that life doesn’t start until the Church ends, so does that means that those of us who take pleasure in going into the house the House of the Lord don’t have a life? Who gives Jay-Z the authority that says that Jesus, the Saviour, God’s Son, God Himself, Creator, The Light of the World, cannot save you? Is not Jay-Z a mere man created by Jesus Himself? Think about it: if Jay is calling himself the same name as the Living God, and then turning around and saying that God’s Son can’t save you, what is he telling the sub-conscience of his listeners? Is this type of thing from God? No. But it’s not exactly something that is on the surface either. Most persons are too caught up in the hype or the beat to actually realize what these words are saying and how they are downgrading and trying to make of no effect the central figure of our religion: Jesus Christ. Ponder this:

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.

We must be aware of the things around us, friends. Jesus would have never indulged in such things that would try to downplay the name of God. Ponder these two verse of Scripture:

John 6:51 “I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”.

Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the House of the Lord”.

Are these two verses of inspired, Holy Scripture not the complete opposite of what Jay-Z’s music tells us? Now my question is this: Which do you spend more time in? The secular music of the world? Or the Holy Word of God? The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path says the Psalmist David. Which do you let influence you the most?

Signs of the illuminati and demonic phrases and images have crept their way into the music of not only Jay-Z, but also Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West, and other hip hop and rock artists. All of these persons have a big influence on the ears of even some of us Christians and these things are what we feed our sub-conscience every time we listen. You may say now that you just listen to the music, but you don’t really believe that things that they say; the simple fact is though that your sub-conscience records everything and those message are implanted in your brain. You see the enemy will use his influence in an aspect of our lives that makes us as humans so vulnerable, music. The devil can be complex with his attacks, be watchful of all. The mind is a powerful thing and it can accomplish great tasks, and so he wants to make his mark there and to distort it. Note that this is not an attack on the personal character of Jay-Z, but simply an enlightenment of the music he produces and the content thereof. From drug addicts to even the rulers of the great nations of this planet, the devil tries his best to subtly get persons to follow him because he knows our weakness toward the substance or how much we look up to a role model. The Word of God always has an answer for us and a way to be victorious over the enemy. Ponder this verse of Scripture:

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.

Do you focus your mind on heavenly things?

God’s Armour

Ephesians 6:14 tells us to girt about our loins with truth and have the breastplate of righteousness. This is essential in fighting in this spiritual warfare. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life in John 14:6. The Truth will always set you free and it is a mighty weapon for the Christian. When the enemy comes with false doctrines and temptations that are not of God, you will have the truth of His Word to evade any attack. Next is the breastplate of righteousness. We must have a Christ-like attitude always and not seek revenge on our brothers and sisters. We should be lights and wherever we go, Jesus should be high and lifted up. Ephesians 6:15 tells us that our feet should be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The gospel will change the lives of people forever. Imagine a planet with some 7 billion inhabitants and Jesus desires a personal relationship with each one. He came and died for the sins and every one and if it was only one single sinner on earth, He would have still came and died for the sins of that person. We must go out and preach the gospel, dispel the enemy, and bring the peace of Jesus Christ into the lives of men and women. Ephesians 6:16 tells us that above all we should take the shield of faith that we would to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. For the Christian, faith is a powerful tool that must be used to the maximum. It enables to accomplish things that for others may see as impossible. It helps us in our everyday journey, it keeps us encouraged, and it pleases our Saviour, Jesus. Ponder what Jesus said about faith in the Word:

Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you’”.

Think about it: If faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, what can faith the size of an apple or even a television set do? The enemy dislikes faith because it will not allow him to be victorious over us. Faith is the victory and we must use it that way. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword if the Spirit which is the Word of God. Salvation is found only in Jesus, and because of His spilled blood on Calvary’s cross do we have the free gift of Salvation. That blood made it possible to inherit Eternal Life. We must claim it always and remember that no matter what Satan may try to throw at us, Jesus paid the price and He loves us dearly! The Word of God is something that the enemy cannot withstand. Ponder these verses of Scripture about God’s Holy Word:

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.

You see once you have the Word with you, you would have God with you! The word of God is powerful and amazing and it something that with strengthen you when you are at your lowest. Anything that the enemy may try to feed you, you can test with the Word of God. Satan likes to use subtle errors to throw of us of the straight and narrow. We must not let him do that, the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path and it will illuminate any darkness that tries to invade the heart or mind of the Christian. The Word is life! Finally, Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Friends, prayer changes things! It is our line of communication with God Himself. It’s a free phone line that runs 24/7. Whenever you have a need, a burden, or just want some advice, prayer is the answer because it is a direct line to God. He always listens to our prayers and answers them according to His will. If the enemy tries to baffle us, prayer is the medium through which we can seek God’s advice. The texts tell s us to pray always, which means without ceasing, keep in constant communication with God and nothing will ever cause you to go astray! Ponder these different pieces of God’s armour that allows us to be equipped for battle against even principalities, and powers. They are mighty and if we are equipped with them, nothing can defeat us.

If the enemy attacked you, would you posses the pieces of the armour to defeat him?

In conclusion, we have seen that we as Christians do not wrestle against mere flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Not just against the secular influence of the world, but even false doctrines and practices that have crept their way into the Christian Church. The only way to be victorious in this spiritual wrestling match is to have Jesus in your heart and have Him abiding there always. He will give you the tools to fight the battle, He’ll provide the armour. He will show the things to put into your mind and those things that you shouldn’t. He’ll show you what is good to listen to, and what type of music is just a trap of the enemy. He will cause you to drink form the Water He gives, the Water that will cause you to never thirst again, the Water that will be a well in you, springing up into Everlasting Life. Ponder this verse of Scripture:

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me”.

Would you open the door of your heart, and let Jesus in?

God bless you!