If you talk to anyone who has ever lived through active combat, they share many common experiences. They know that there is an enemy lurking that wants nothing more than to bring an end to their life. The enemy is not shooting blanks-live ammo is being fired. An extreme alertness is required. The senses are heightened. Life hangs in the balance.

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-12: A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Make no mistake about it . . . we are at war. There is an enemy that wants nothing more than to bring an end to our life. Bring an end to our marriages. Bring an end to our relationship with our children. There is an enemy whose primary purpose is to destroy our integrity. Ruin our relationship with God. Send our children down a path of destruction. And our enemy is relentless. He is using live ammo. Gorilla warfare. You name the tactic–he’s using it. And your life hangs in the balance. The life of your spouse hangs in the balance. The lives of your friends hang in the balance. The lives of your children hang in the balance.

God gives us the good news in 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome the enemy, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

We don’t have to worry about being defeated. We don’t have to run scared. But we must be aware of the battle raging around us. Are you spending time in prayer? Are you filling your mind with God’s Word? Are you worshiping on a regular basis? Are you interacting with others who “have your back?” Are you getting adequate rest? Are you taking care of your physical body?

The most dangerous time for any person in combat is when they think they are safe. When they forget they are living in a war zone. It’s the most dangerous time for us all.