A Real Challenge

An Interesting Allegory

A fallen angel came to Satan and asked him for an assignment. Satan asked what kind of angel he was and he said, "I am destruction, I teach foul language, anger, and indifference. I cause strife among people, especially among Christians, which is my specialty. I can get them fighting over all kinds of different beliefs and ideas. I have many, many people walking around with hate in their hearts who once loved. It is really easy; I can get them angry over money, positions, and knowledge. It is almost like they are ready to get upset over how someone else lives or believes."

"Just yesterday I had two men who are neighbors and are Christians fighting over healing and prayer. You should have seen them; I had God crying over those two. I am really glad I came when I did because one of the men's boys got to see the argument and he was really close to asking Jesus into his life. That was a close call!"

"Then the other day -- I should get a medal for this -- this guy Jack took one of his friends at work to church with him. This man almost decided to ask Jesus into his heart. BOY, what a struggle I had, and I hate being in church! Well, this man pondered all night about Jesus, but the next day while at work when Jack was near him I got another man to get into an argument with him, and man did Jack lose it! Needless to say, I got his friend back. Another close call!"

"I did lose one though, this lady just would not give up on her boy. I had him hooked on drugs and drinking and living it up; but she just would not get up off her knees for him. One of God's angels got another kid to talk to him and he got saved. Get this… that other kid loved that boy so much that he even was crying with him! How do you fight someone like that? Maybe I can make his life miserable and get him back. I do have plenty of time left to work on him."

"I just can't believe how easy it is to cause people to fall away from God anymore! It used to be maybe 1 of every 15; today I am getting over half to be lukewarm. It is just awesome how easily I can cause them to lose their love; the love that would get them to die even for an enemy, if it would save them."

"We are winning because we finally got them talking love, but they can't live it!"

"I am amazed at how God thinks these people would care about others like the first church did, those people are long gone, thanks to us!"

As he and Satan walked away he said, "I need a real challenge, you got anybody who is really strong?"

The Whole Armor of God Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.   Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Ephesians 6:10 through Ephesians 6:18a ESV