Here is a quote I read recently that I thought was very good:

“There is something in human nature that just does not want to face the reality that we live in two worlds. We live in the physical, material world where we have jobs, read books, and go about our business. And we live in the spiritual world –and that is a world at war.” --John Eldredge

How often do you think about the spiritual realm and what is taking place there? In this country I would say most do not. In other countries and cultures they do, often because they can see it more easily. In our “post-modern/enlightened” society we try to explain it away, use other terminology, something softer, less threatening or we just downright deny it. But in “less advanced” societies, they know it exists. They embrace it; sometimes the wrong side or sometimes they try and embrace both.
If you look at the world and what is going on with open eyes, you see that evil is working at a frantic pace. Why? Because they know that the time of their end is drawing near. Scripture is clear: things are going to get worse before they get better. So what are you doing to prepare? I am not talking about storing up water, food rations, guns, and ammo. If that is where you are putting your trust, it is in the wrong place. Don’t misunderstand, it is not wrong to prepare materially. But are you prepared spiritually? Have you, are you, preparing spiritually for the coming of Christ? Are you doing your assignments that have been given by God?
I have been thinking about this last week’s sermon about being spiritual parents. How many of us are childless in that area? How many of us take the time and work involved to be spiritual parents to someone else? Do you not feel mature enough to do it? If so, why? And at what point will you be? What are you doing to get there? This is not about some sort of spiritual superiority. It is about opening yourself up to someone else and walking with them, being open and honest. It is not easy to do at first but it does get easier over time as the relationship grows. But the devils of this world will do anything and everything to try and disrupt and destroy what the spirit of God is doing and if you do not understand that, you will be at a huge disadvantage. Do you realize you are in a battle? If not, then you are going into the battle unarmed. Especially as a believer, you ARE going/ARE IN, it’s not a WHEN. You ARE right now, whether you admit it or not. And only a fool goes into battle without weapons and the skill to use them.