Military Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  –  When your country is attacked or threatened  –  When your allies are attacked or threatened  –  When helpless people are attacked or threatened

—Mindset for War  –  “No man that goes to war entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.”  –  The prerequisite for peace is victory

—Weapons for War  –  Whatever kills people and destroys things  –  Power, and willingness to use it  –  “. . . with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right . . .” —–Abraham Lincoln, after the war

—Comments—“Never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up.” —–Winston Churchill

Spiritual Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  – You decided to follow Jesus.  –  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  –  “All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

—Mindset for War  –  “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

—Weapons for War  –  “Resist him (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers in the world.”          “For the weapons or our warfare are not of the flesh but mighty of God for pulling down strongholds.”          “Take up the whole armor of God, to stand, . . .  gird your waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Word of God), and prayer.”

—Comments—“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus”

Marriage Conflict—WAR IS HELL

—Reasons for War  –  Two human beings  –  Expectations  –  Busy  –  “I’m right”  –  I’m tired”  –  Secrets  –  Sin

—Mindset for War  –  Desperation  –  Isolation  –  “I’ll show him”  –  “I’ll show her”  –  “I must prove . . .”  –  “What’s wrong with me?”  –  “What’s wrong with him/her?”  –  “You need help”

—Weapons for War  –  Secrecy (universally employed)  –  Just about anything will work.  –  No training necessary, but damage increases with practice.  –  Just do what comes naturally.  –  Destruction is easy and quick (Reconstruction is difficult and unnatural).  –  Fire extinguishers to fix the other person are often filled with gasoline (Damage is doubled, destroying both combatants).  –  Secrecy (extremely effective)

—Comments—Marriage Conflict is Spiritual Conflict, for the Christian couple.  There is no more significant place for the devil to attack and gain a foothold in Christians’ lives than in their marriage.  –  Conflict Resolution is an oxymoron, without outside help—from God, from people who care more about marriage for others than money for themselves.  –  You and I (ordinary people) must simply care enough to make a difference in someone’s life, in two people’s marriage.  –  If we know someone who needs help at home, then we are the ones to help.  Do it.

WAR IS HELL—War is inevitable.—Victory is essential.—Winning is worth it.