In the search of a good co-op game to play on the PlayStation 3, I found Army of Two. It is a first person shooter with strong co-op elements. You absolutely need the other character, whether or not it is another person playing or an AI player. It got me thinking about how much we need each other in our spiritual war.
Do you feel like you are in a war? I used to not feel like I was, in fact there were times when I did not know of anything that I needed to work on spiritually. Being in the prayer committee this year has opened my eyes to a lot of things going on 'behind the scenes'. I have begun to notice the areas in which I am basically walking through a trench ignoring the guns firing above me. We must get involved in the war on God's side. Prayer has an effect on people's lives. Talking to something about Jesus has an effect on their life. Giving to people who are in need when are you in abundance has an effect on their lives. This takes time and care.
One aspect of being involved in this spiritual war around us is being part of a team with the other 'players'. Just like in Army of Two, we NEED each other.
Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Many of us are in a study at Northeast Church called every man's battle. The entire reason for doing the group discussions is to assist each other in growing closer to sexual purity. I have experienced many times over how when we do not talk about what we are struggling with, Satan can trick us into giving up.
We also need to talk to each other about what we are strugging with. This is a two way friendship, and I bet that if we were to talk to our close friends about this half of the times we saw each other, we would become closer to God as well.
I have a challenge... talk to atleast three guys this next week (or until we meet next Wednesday) about what they are struggling with. I do not mean asking and expecting an answer and being done, but actually spending time to talk about it and pray about it.
this is a hard subject to deal with for me. the notion that i actually talk to another person about my issues is a idea foreign to me. i have always been by myself, dealt with things by myself and struggled by myself. i have tried to become an army of one, which has lead to some pride issues.
ReplyDeleteA big part was actually recognizing the war and when certain battles take place. For a very long time I had an attitude of, "Oh it's just some sin I do every now and then. I know it's wrong, but it's not deadly or anything." If you don't know there is even a war going on or can't recognize when battles take place then you're already defeated.
ReplyDeleteYou say "I have begun to notice the areas in which I am basically walking through a trench ignoring the guns firing above me. We must get involved in the war on God's side. Prayer has an effect on people's lives."
ReplyDeleteMike says "If you don't know there is even a war going on or can't recognize when battles take place then you're already defeated."
It seems most to me that we need to learn what our battles look like. How are we attacked? When are we attacked? We need to invest time in asking these questions for if we know not the cause or manner of how we are attacked then we cannot face it-- its as if we are fighting an invisible villain, we know its there but don't know how to slay him. Our friends can offer insight and encouragement into our battles. God gave each of us different struggles, different strengths. When we put Prov 27: 17 into action then life becomes much different, we become more wise, more ready to face the front lines.
A post with a challenge, eh?
ReplyDeletewhich I alone did not do... :( time for another attempt :)
ReplyDeleteTough challenge...
ReplyDeleteWe also need to make sure that we don't have this discussion seeking pity. Instead, that we have it seeking correction with support. Part of confessing sin with one another should be follow up. "Hey, how are you doing with ______ that you told me about last week?"