Love and War Promo 1

Satan: Ancient and Treacherous

Those of you familiar with The Lord of the Rings trilogy might remember King Theoden. In the tale, he was the leader of the land of Rohan who fell under the power of the wizard Saruman, taken out through the slithering machinations of his servant Grima. It took Gandalf the White to exorcise Theoden from the grips of the evil Saruman. In many ways, this story is my story.

What started during my 19th year in youthful zeal and vigor eventually turned sour. Over time and through relentless scheming and treachery, my unseen enemy took me out and held me captive.

Fortunately, my King and Elder Brother came to my rescue. He'd promised long ago to perfect what He'd started in me. And awhile back, a group of men who I've grown to respect and admire celebrated our mutual Sovereign, Jesus, presenting me with a replica of the sword of King Theoden: Herugrim, pictured below.




















I treasure what these men shared and spoke during this ceremony. These past few years during times of contemplation I've considered my journey. How did I stumble, fall, and become entrapped?

Today, in reading from the Introduction of Francis Frangipane's book The Three Battlegrounds, I was reminded of so much of what I'd come to terms with as "answers" to that question. Hear what he shares:

There is an old European proverb worth heeding. It reads: "Age and treachery will always defeat youth and zeal." ...we should know this about Satan: he is an ancient and extremely treacherous foe. on the other hand, the strength of most Christians lies primarily in idealism and untested fervor....

What occurred was that zeal, by itself, challenged the treachery of hell and lost. The brightness of youthful dreams dimmed under the dark cloud of relentless satanic assault. Under the weight of growing frustrations and discouragement, compromise increased, and with it came iniquity and spiritual bondage.

Clearly, I was ignorant of so many things. What I needed in fighting this good fight was wisdom.

Today, I do NOT advocate shying away from a fight or shrinking back from the enemy. Followers of Jesus have been given His power to rule and reign. He warns us to be shrewd and cunning. We are admonished to ask for wisdom (James 1:5).

In spiritual warfare we have a real foe, one who is ancient and treacherous. It is not wise to underestimate him. I have found it extremely helpful, actually...essential...to be grounded daily in who I really am. To that end, the Daily Prayer is an excellent resource, one that I've used as a launching point for quite some time now.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (I Peter 5:8-9 NIV)

Share

Keith Green - Oh, Lord You're Beautiful (Live)

As a new follower of Jesus thirty years ago, this Keith Green song was one of my favorites. The song and its message became lost to me for awhile as I walked away from God. It's good to be back!

We Will Ride

"We Will Ride" is a song that never fails to stir me...to touch a deep place within. I first heard it four years ago at a Wild at Heart Boot Camp conducted by John Eldredge and the team from www.RansomedHeart.com. It is particularly poignant with the "Lord of the Rings" clip added during an instrumental interlude about midway through the video.

Yes, Lord. Yes. What is it He's asking me to say yes to today? And how about you? As you hear the music and lyrics of this song, what is it you're saying yes to?

My Blog: www.BenGColeman.com