NEEDLESS BATTLES

Judges 12:1-4

Then the people of Ephraim mobilized an army and crossed over the Jordan River to Zaphon. They sent this message to Jephthah: “Why didn’t you call for us to help you fight against the Ammonites? We are going to burn down your house with you in it!”

Jephthah replied, “I summoned you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come! You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon.

So when I realized you weren’t coming, I risked my life and went to battle without you, and the Lord gave me victory over the Ammonites. So why have you now come to fight me?”

The people of Ephraim responded, “You men of Gilead are nothing more than fugitives from Ephraim and Manasseh.” So Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and attacked the men of Ephraim and defeated them.

When the Lord does not lead you, you become prone to minding and walking with unnecessary things, like fighting unnecessary battles and stirring evil sentiments.

I have always said that devices like racism, tribalism, fanaticism and all related vices have no part in the fruit of the spirit, they are works of the flesh.

The same way is pride, envy, hate, selfishness, slanders and all related vices.

Paul saw this in the church and by the Spirit he wrote:

 Colossians 3:11-15

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

When we fight needless BATTLES, we neglect the real battles and are therefore caught unawares and become prey.

2 Corinthians 2:11

so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

James explains it:

James 4:1-6

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, 

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The truth is that many claim they are of the Lord but they do not live like if they are. Their hearts are full of evil thoughts and devices then they yet wonder why it seems God's Spirit is not at work in them!

You cannot walk in the flesh and yet expect the Spirit to manifest in your life, no, it is contradictory.

Always remember God's word to Samuel:

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Can we bring our hearts back to the Lord, can we do what Paul instructed by the Spirit:

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Can we live the true life of a believer?

O help us Good Lord.

PRAYER

I rededicate myself to You Loving Father. Keep me in Your righteousness and make me faithful. I will not fight needless battles instead You will fight all my battles. I submit totally to You Dear Lord, lead me by Your word and Spirit. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher.