Evaluating The Battle

Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future! Be a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth! Walk by faith, not by sight!

Warren W. Wiersbe

There are many Christians who have lost focus on the fact that this world is not our home.

The Apostle Paul tells the church in Philippi that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)

To those who are in Christ at Ephesus, he says, so then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Let’s be honest about something: we are tremendously blessed to be living in the United States of America.

In our Constitution, we have the protection of the freedom of speech, giving us the opportunity to boldly and unapologetically share the gospel.

We also have the freedom to gather and worship corporately as the Church.

Unfortunately, though, because of these and other blessings we enjoy in this country, many Christians live as though this is heaven. We believe this is as good as it gets and that the Republican platform is God’s chosen government.

The reality is that we are still living in a world that is not our home.

We should expect the depravity of man to be on full display, even in the United States of America. And it is!

Roe v Wade was sent to the scrap heap of history last year, but we are still fighting for the life of the unborn. Even in the state of Maine, where our governor is pushing for legislation that will permit abortion up to birth.

8 years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell v Hodges, which established same-sex marriage throughout the United States and its territories.

We are at the tail end of a month that celebrates depravity and an extreme departure from God’s created order

And the reality is that in our country, if you take a stand against these matters as Christians should, you are going to be spitefully criticized and hated.

Jesus said in John 15:18-19

John 15:18–19 (ESV)

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Since we are always engaging in a battle against unrighteousness, I would like to encourage you to “Armor Up!”

Take seriously the command from the Apostle Paul to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11). Regularly review the text of Ephesians 6:10-20.

But also, I want to help you Evaluate The Battle.

And to do that, I want to look at a historical account in Scripture found in 1 Samuel 17:19-49, one that we are all well acquainted with: the encounter between David and Goliath.

The first thing I want you to take away from this text is that…

The Attack Is Always On God

Read 1 Samuel 17:19-27

I am sure you know by now, but there are many arguments that take place day-in and day-out regarding the issues that I have already mentioned, and others as well.

To be honest, social media has become the unbridled battleground for many such arguments.

The reality about these arguments and attacks from others is that they can quickly become personal. It is common for many people to become defensive, and quickly go on the offensive by insulting or labeling the other person.

Terms like “transphobe” or “homophobe” are thrown out there to demean and label someone who disagrees with the unbiblical lifestyles that are being propagated in society.

The thing that we must remember, as believers, is that these attacks are ultimately against God, and not us.

Abortion advocates are seeking to kill babies that are created by God in His image

Same-sex marriage is an affront to God’s institution established at the beginning of creation

The LGBTQ proponents seek to play God by determining what someone’s body ought to look like based on how they feel

King David was an adulterer and murderer. His sins directly affected many people.

Yet, in Psalm 51:4 he says,

Psalm 51:4 (ESV)

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

The world’s sins, while they can affect you personally, are ultimately against God.

The Attack Is Always On God.

There Can Often Be Dissension In The Ranks

Read 1 Samuel 17:28-33

David faced what we would call “friendly-fire.” Those who were on his side of the battle were attacking him:

His brother, Eliab, demeaned him and called into question his motives

King Saul called into question his capability, since he was so young

It is not uncommon in our battles today for there to be casualties brought about by “friendly-fire.”

There are many churches and professing believers who take a stand for abortion, same-sex marriage, or the LGBTQ agenda… all things that are in direct contrast to what the Bible reveals as being good from God

Since that is the case, it is not uncommon for so-called Christians to attack those who take a stand against these unrighteous practices

The Preparation Does Not Always Look The Same

Read 1 Samuel 17:34-40

David was a young man who did not go to boot camp.

He did not look the part of a soldier ready for battle, especially against such an intimidating foe.

Yet, he is the one who was most prepared to engage the enemy.

As a true defender of the sheep, he had killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands.

The trials that God causes us to go through in life are preparing us to endure even bigger ones with success.

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The trials that people go through differ from person to person.

Thus, The Preparation Does Not Always Look The Same… but be sure that it is enough and exactly what you need.

The Lord Provides The Victory

Read 1 Samuel 17:41-49

David’s confidence was not in himself. It was not in his preparation. It was not in his ability.

David’s confidence was 100% in God’s ability to work through him.

We must boldly engage the battle and fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

We have the truth. We have the armor. And we have the Lord.

Proverbs 28:1 (ESV)

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Hebrews 13:13–15 (ESV)

Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

We are Christians and strangers on this earth. Let none of us be frightened; our native land is not this world.

Augustine of Hippo