Fighting a battle for only one hour a week enough?

In the Old Testament, the saints had to physically go fight and war against their enemies. Many sons, brothers, and fathers died in battle. They had to fight and war to take the land, possess the spoil of the enemy, and eventually reach the promise land. During the battle, the army of the Most High did not initially plan to fight for only one hour. In any given fight, they did not plan to fight for only two hours. They fought until they either won or died. They did not have time to take a break to look at their smartphones to look at the sports scores during the battle. They did not leave during the middle of the battle to go to Disneyland. Even when they were exhausted, they had to continue in the fight until it was over, otherwise,  if they had given up due to their exhaustion, they would have died.

Today, in the New Testament era, our fight is not flesh nor physical. Our fight is spiritual and our fight is against the principalities, against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and of the air. Many of us cannot see the evil we are fighting but the fight is more real than the physical.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

In the Old Testament, if the men, fathers, sons, and brothers decided not to fight, then there would be grave consequences. The consequences would not only be for their families and tribe but for the who nation. Many came together under the banner of God to fight as HE led them. Is it easier to fight a enemy that we can see rather than one we cannot see, is it not?

Today, our fight is spiritual. When we gather together as a church, we not only worship God, but we are fighting in the spiritual. Our service of worship, preaching, and praying are methods of fighting in the spiritual realm. We must continue to fight each day on our own as we need to pray as individuals and families without ceasing.

But sadly, many Christian families are defeated because they no longer fight. The devil and his hordes of demons but laugh at the people of God. Today, the people of God put limits on their war time. Many cannot handle service that goes beyond more than one hour. Many will not sacrifice their weekends to fight for the call of God. Can soldiers tell each other they will only fight for one hour and then go watch sports, go fishing, picnicking, golfing, and such when families are being tormented, in sickness, chaos, and being cursed by the rulers of evil of the unseen world? Is this how we treat the Lord's Day, the 4th commandment, and think there will be no consequences? Just because your nation is at peace does not mean you are still not in the spiritual war that will determine your eternity. Many captains and officers such as their pastors lead the sheep blindly into battle. Without even seeking victory, they look at the congregation as their measure of standard to determine if they will stay in spiritual battle or end the service to make their people happy. Most service times are but a cater to the people rather than a service to God. Many churches are closing down in defeat. The spiritual war is very real. The effects and physical manifestations are very real. Many are sick. Many are in poverty. Many are in personal chaos. Many are scattered. Many are running. Many are cursed. Many search for answers not realizing they have taken off their armor as they spend less time with God and more time with the entertainment and leisure things of the world.

Wars between nations are raging. Ebola and other diseases are raging. Famine in various places are here and emerging. But sadly, most of God's people have no faith in order to hold their ground as many have given up their spiritual ground to the enemy. Many are in personal dilemmas.

What is the answer? Here is your answer. Many need to get on their knees and start repenting for forsaking HIM. Many think they are believing and serving God but in reality, they are cheating on God. They will not give up their worldly idols. If you or your family member is dying of cancer or other disease, what offering will you give to God for HIM to answer your prayer? Can you give up your NFL sports and decide to use that time to pray and spend it on God? Can you give up your weekly golf outings with your buddies? Can you give up watching so much TV? Can you give up all that money you spend on entertainment and make a peace offering to God so that your family may be healed? Can you give up playing video games as an offering to God and instead start reading HIS Word? Can you give up your soccer? Can you give up your weekends with the friends out and go to church and seek HIM more? Can you give up your pet because some of you spend more time and spend more money on your pet than with God?  Can you give up your boyfriend or girlfriend that you are having premarital sex and either get married now for HIM or will you continue to stay in sin? Can you pray at least one hour a day so that you or your family member can be healed? Or is watching TV much easier? Life and death is a choice in this life.

Most of His people are not willing to give up anything. They want something from God for free. Where your time is, is where your heart is. May HIS people return to their first Love. May HIS people learn to know HIS ways for their lack of knowing HIS Ways are but destroying them.

We are in spiritual war. If you choose not to fight by staying in prayer, worship, and prayer each day but rather with the things of the world then your defeat in life will manifest as it will be the fruit you eat. It will be what you had sown. The spiritual war is very real. Do not think going to church for one hour a week or so will save you.  You must be committed.

Hosea 4:6 NLT
My people are being destroyed
    because they don’t know me.
Since you priests refuse to know me,
    I refuse to recognize you as my priests.
Since you have forgotten the laws of your God,
    I will forget to bless your children.

Here is another translation

Hosea 4:6 CEV

 You priests have rejected me and my people are destroyed by refusing to obey. Now I’ll reject you and forget your children, because you have forgotten my Law.

Pastor Steve Yong Kim

Fire of God Church