Page 22 - #LoveWarrior

Let’s expose the opposing sides for what they hope to achieve. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but the
Lord has come so that we may have life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). The enemy plots against us any way
he can, but the Lord comes to prevent those same attacks and assaults. The enemy strives to wage a war against us,
but the Lord comes to fight and win the battle for us. God has given us the power of His Kingdom, the Most High.
We are all born warriors – warriors with unbeatable weapons.

To fully understand the magnitude of our power, we must first understand what it is we are fighting against and for
what we are fighting. Overcome with jealousy, Satan wages a war against God for all His glory and power.
Knowing the power of his opponent, Satan transfers his hate to all mankind, God’s most beloved creation. Caught in
the crossfire – more often than not – we are injured.

How does Satan go about his terror? He attacks your identity – convincing you that you have nothing to offer. He
penetrates your heart with pain and sorrow as the choices of others deteriorate all life inside you. He plots to place
you in piranha-infested waters as a way to eat away at your love for spiritual things. He probes you with guilt and
shame to condemn you and chip away at your confidence. He schemes to stir up unrest, anxiety, stress, and fear in
order to keep you from fulfilling your calling. He seeks to destroy your relationships any way he can. For many of
us, these sound all too dreadfully familiar.

Now, let's look at what Satan’s opponent is capable of.

God writes your identity – proving you have everything to offer. He penetrates your heart with joy and peace
regardless of the choices being made around you. He is your Shepherd; He chases after you to restore your love for
spiritual things. He erases all guilt and shame so as to restore your confidence. He invests in you so as to bring you
rest, calm paths, and strength to keep you on track to fulfill your calling. He seeks to heal your broken relationships.
He seeks to protect your relationships. He is filled with joy when you spend time with Him.

Listen up, folks: Satan goes after us any way he can. The easiest way for him to attack is through our own wounds,
our own vices, and our insecurities. Be on guard. And stay on guard.

Know Yourself
At the beginning of the book we spoke about what it means to be a warrior:

1. A ferocious protector of what is of highest importance and value, despite opposition and conflict (Llanes).
2. A person who dedicates themselves to constant learning & character strengthening; heart evaluation and
righteous thinking, using said wisdom to see the battle through to the end of the war (Llanes).
3. A person who does not run away from a challenge, dilemma or battle (Llanes).

You have all that it takes to uphold all three of these definitions of a warrior; both in love and otherwise. Knowing
you are the beloved child of God should always act as your shield against any fiery darts that come looking to
destroy you. Remember, no evil will conquer you.

The Full Armor of God

Using his famous football analogies, Miles McPherson spoke to The Wave Church in Virginia Beach about how the
running back continuously gets blasted with the impact of a car accident, goes back into the huddle, and says, "Give
me the ball again!" He added: "When the enemy pops you in the mouth, you must always remain in the game,
saying, ‘That's all you got?!'" Always remember those who are on your team, in your corner, and on the field with
you. The power of God's impact is far greater. To defeat the enemy requires intentionality, discernment, strategy,
and strength. We must predict his next move and prepare our weapons for battle, recognizing that his number-one
weapon against us will expose his next move. Can you guess what that is? If you guessed core lie, you are correct.
Let’s look a little deeper into the details of the war and weaponry:

22