I came to announce to you today that life is a battlefield; be aware and be awake!

[1 Peter 5:5-11 KJV] “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Honestly, the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:19-34; and of Pharez and Zerah in Genesis 38:24-30 reveal that life is a battlefield and the battle begins right from the womb.

Remember that we are fighting for scarce resources to satisfy human insatiable needs — the economic battle. We are also fighting for limited opportunities.

The man by the pool of Bethesda wasted 38 years of his life because he was not well resourced to grab the right opportunity. Remember even cheap goods in the uptown market can only be bought with money.

Thirdly, we are fighting for preeminence. Both Jacob and Esau, and Pharez and Zerah; were fighting for superiority. They were fighting for preeminence. One of the things you are unaware of is this. We are fighting for scarce resources, limited opportunities, and preeminence ( a few top spots).

Note also that we are fighting against our weakness, threats in the environment, and against others competing for the same things.

Sometimes, the thing that is fighting you is within you; there are other times when it is from outside of you, and yet at times it is from others who need and are competing for the same resources, opportunities, and/or top spot. This is the main reason why you must be careful and alert.

We cannot ignore the truth that the battle is being fought on three main levels: on mental, earthly, and cosmic or metaphysical levels. The mind and emotions are a battlefield, the earth is a battlefield, as well as the cosmic or metaphysical realms.

There are times when the battle is focused in the mind; there are times when the battle is in the realm of your relationship with others; there are also times when what we are battling with is far above human and earthly realms.

Whichever way you look at it, you must fight your own battles and bear your burdens. Nobody can fight for you. I (your pastor) am only a helper of your joy. I have no dominion over your faith.

If you are going somewhere and I say don’t go, you can choose to listen or not. I cannot force you. Many of you have made choices that I counseled you against, but you still went ahead with it.

You will have to fight your own battles. Some simple tips to help, however, are:

1. You must decide on which side of the battle you will fight:

Will you fight for righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? Will you align with God or with the world? You have a choice to make, and that choice will determine how we can help. No one can make that choice for you.

2. Submit to elders, to one another, and to God:

The Bible teaches us to submit to elders, to one another, and God. We are encouraged to be clothed with humility. Honestly, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. My greatest pain has come from people who expect help from me and yet are too proud and arrogant to submit.

3. Seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God.

When the Bible says cast all your cares upon God and be sober; the Apostle is simply teaching Matthew 6:33.

The cure for anxiety and drunkenness is to seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of God. The kingdom of God is the sovereign will of God and the righteousness of God is how to live in God’s will by faith.

There is no better way to cast your cares upon God other than to believe in Him.

4. Be sober and resist the enemy steadfastly in faith:

Many of those who fail, do so because they are not sober. Their thinking is faulty, and they won’t humble themselves to be taught either.

Many people are trying to fight the devil on the wrong premises. When you try to fight the enemy because you are running from something, soon that things will be over and you will lose the passion to keep fighting.

The only reason to ever start the fight is faith. You must fight the good fight of faith. Life is a battlefield.

Sometimes the very friends and family you are fighting for are those who are seriously fighting you, beware!

5. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

Work out your freedom, liberation, prosperity, and peace with fear and trembling.

Nobody will fight for you, you must fight, we can only help. Until you arise to fight, you will remain a victim! If you sleep, you are sleeping on your destiny.

I have no doubt that somebody will arise and fight this good fight of faith.

I love you!

Pastor Simpe Bediako