WAR?

My favorite class this year may turn out to be The Law of Armed Conflict, which probably isn't that surprising considering how fascinated I am by politics, history, and world cultures. But as I was doing my homework, I learned that there is a new trend to not use the word "war" anymore (this is because the UN Charter was supposed to "end all wars" *ahem*). Anyway, there are significant benefits to States to have a conflict without declaring war because without declaring "war" then they do not have to terminate some commercial activities with the other party and their treaties would stay intact. 

"Limited forms of coercion and also large-scale hostilities could take place without the victim of an attack asserting that "war" existed since the attacker was often a major Power and the victim a relatively weak state anxious not to aggravate the situation." 

Why am I writing about this? Well, it's not just to pass on intellectually stimulating war knowledge. ;) I've been studying spiritual warfare lately--and it's real! So real--I think as Christians we get in a rut and train ourselves to live with the enemy rather than fight him. We want to keep our "treaties" and our "commercial interactions." It's easier to say that it was a minor conflict/ a little sin etc...than to acknowledge reality (we are in a war), to cut ties with the sin that besets us, and to fight!  God didn't give us the armor of God as a suggestion--but as a tool to live our daily lives and to gain His peace. He promises us victory in Him. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God [loins girt with truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith--to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God] that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-17 (paraphrased)  

Our behavior must be consistent with the realities around us or we will deteriorate. The existence of God is our reality. Sin is our enemy that seeks to destroy us. Without Him, we would lose, but with the Victor on our side--we are promised Victory. We lose all battles that we don't fight...this is war and we are His Victorious Warriors.