Forewarned Is Forearmed

There was a time in our nation when there were certain social advantages to being a Christian. There was a cultural Christianity in America that most believed in or adhered to, a certain sense of what right and wrong actually were.

We are so far from that now. There are no social advantages to be a Christian today. In fact, there are disadvantages. If you say that you believe in Jesus Christ, you will be dismissed, mocked, marginalized, and in some cases, outright attacked. When you truly make a stand for Christ, the battle will rage on.

The Bible often uses the imagery of soldiers and war to describe the Christian life. In 2 Timothy 2 the apostle Paul urges Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (verse 3 NKJV). Paul also wrote, “I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV).

We face a formidable foe. Martin Luther had it right when he wrote his great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”: “For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe—his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.” That is true. There is no equal of the devil on earth. Yet Luther also said, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.” Our God is far greater than the devil.

John wrote, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).

We need to understand the tactics and mentality of our enemy. As Corrie ten Boom pointed out, the first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.