The battle in the author's life is soley with satan, and those whom he influences. If only fist, napalm, hydrogen bombs, bouncing bettys, and and a quadrillion metric tons of munitions and flak where enough that it could hurt a spiritual entity. Yet, one cannot punch the air, and we often only harm each other, when we retaliate for insults, assaults, and other offenses.
In his life, the author has had his share of struggles. He was nurtured in a predominantly light-blue collar suburban subdivision which was populated primarily by European Americans. This was a challenge, in the wake of the Civil Rights movement which occurred during the 1950-1960 time frame. It was a relatively turbulent time that was won with a mixture of peaceful demonstration and protest plus a few who would pick up arms as a last result.
Yet, if one kills all of his enemies on this day; new one might arise on the morrow, and those might be old friends. It is satan who comes so he might kill, steal, and destroy.
Yet, we have help in a Comforter, known as the Holy Spirit, the Father, and His Son. Those of other faiths might express their faith in the Creator and His many varied different personas. One culture might call Him a God of Prosperity, Spiritual and Material, or a God the Protector, who shield their family domicile. Every culture has had an experience with Him, and many have recorded this in a written Word; He loves all of His children the same without a respect of persons. When one is just and righteous, he simply is and blest. When one is wicked and evil, he shall suffer the consequences of his actions.
The best way of battling satan is with the Lord through prayer; as Paul states:
[Eph 6:11-18 KJV] 11 Put on the whole armour 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 armour 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;
[2Co 10:4-5 KJV] 4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
During this lifetime, the author under the oppression of dishonest medical care providers, who sought a disruption of his life's flow and a form of forced medical-prostitution, the author has respond edwith carnal instincts, while in his twenties. This resulted in a couple of felonious acts. The mandate time was meted out and, and although not meet, the author met the requirements set forth before him.
Yet, through the use of the Word, regular study and devotion, plus enjoying Gospel music for helping him keep his focus, he has gained ample power and temperance.
It was the admonishment of a Hebrew classmate, who challenge the author on Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV):
[Mat 5:17-20 KJV] 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
It was also Christ who told a leper that he healed this and this alone in Matthew 8:4 (KJV):
[Mat 8:2-4 KJV] 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
And, although He:
[Mat 12:20 KJV] 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
He could be quite forceful:
[Mat 21:12-13 KJV] 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Finally, as was told the Hebrew children:
[2Ch 20:15 KJV] 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.
And, as Paul, the former persecutor of Christians stated:
[Phl 4:4-9 KJV] 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
This, a mixture of law-abiding behavior and regular prayer, will grant you the temperance spoken of in:
[Gal 5:22-23 KJV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And, finally, the author a fight on his hands. It seems that each time he really speaks up for the King; he falls in troubling ways. So, let him prepare for battle. Might ye be blest!
May the Lord of Host Bless Ye and Keep Ye, as in Year's Past, Now, and Forever. Amen
