There's a War going on!!

The American troops are having problems distinguishing just exactly who the enemy is in Iraq. In previous wars both sides wore a uniform and distinguishing just who the enemy was. In our ever-day spiritual battles today, we also face the same challenge.

We have many enemies that are wearing the Christian uniform today, just as we once were, enemies of the cross. Jesus gave us in his word and instructions on how to recognize the enemy, even though the enemy might try to be sneaky and put on the Christian uniform and try to infiltrate the ranks of His Army.

There are times when the troops must wait until the enemy fires at them, to be able to recognize just exactly who the enemy is. The same holds true in the Christian life. If we are preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified and telling about what the Christian life produces while getting fired at, it is most definitely the enemy firing,with the Christian uniform on. They ahve infiltrating the ranks of God’s Army. The thing we want to accomplish is for the enemy to surrender to Jesus.

Paul is telling us we will get shot and when we get shot at, always hold up that shield of faith and stand, (Confidence in him) when we have done everything else and it don't seem it's working, stand. We should only fire back at them with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

As we speak God’s sword and quench their darts, many will become very angry with us. Paul is also telling us the enemy will try to humiliate us, in the effort to prevent us from speaking God’s Word and His truth and telling about the mystery of the gospel, which is Christ in us. We must not take the shots fired at us personal. Hopefully the enemy will see they are on the losing side and come to Jesus’ side and serve with His Army with us.
Here are some scriptures on this:
Eph 6:11-21
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
KJV

As soon as Paul finished talking about on the full armor of God, he goes to knowing his affairs and a beloved brother Tychicus. Let’s see what this brother did that Paul felt it was worthy to mention or the Holy Spirit prompted Paul to write as guide.

Titus 3:12-14

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Man, Tychicus took Zenas , a lawyer and Apollos with him ahead of Paul. To do what, to teach the people to do what is good , in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. It was like a little mini government. Imagine that Apollos being in favor of good government.

Let’s see what else this man did.
Eph 6:21-24
21~~[b]~~ Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. [/b]
23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

We see here he was an encourager as well, this guy did not do Gloom and Doom gospel.

Let’s see that else Tychicus did.
Col 4:7-9
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8~~[b]~~ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.[/b] 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

It seems he was also all-purpose helper and handy man. Paul had much resistance and when everyone else deserting him. Tychicus was one who didn’t wimp out. Paul also said that God took care of every situation until he called him home. Man is Paul preaching the prosperity Gospel? He wasn’t saying, man I’m miserable and loving every minute of it. He said, Lord I have ask you three times to remove this thorn. The Lord said to Paul,~~[i]~~~~[b]~~ my grace is sufficient.[/b][/i] What was Paul thorn? Many have guessed and specuatted as to what the thorn was, but I wonder, did the Holy Spirit purposely leave out that information on what the thorn was, so all of us would think whatever our thorn is, that it was pertained to us and we will know that His grace is sufficient for us as well.
2 Tim 4:12-18
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

moe_mac wrote:
. They have infiltrating the ranks of God’s Army.

Not as much as we let them in brother, we lowered the wall of separation and let the world into our midst. so there is no telling us apart.

Neh 2:13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

we broken down the wall in the name of love and it is our own blame. Our watchmen has been sleeping.

Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Isa 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

and where sometimes we may hear a watchman proclaim gods warnings and judgments we dont listen

Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Jer 51:12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.