TOS022 Winning the Battle with Ken Hunter (Part 8a); for Audio;
Truth of the Spirit welcomes Ken Hunter as he discusses Winning the Battle as we wrap up the series on the Armor of God. This episode is the first part of his talk. We talk about Spiritual Warfare, but what really is the War? Simply: Good vs Evil, God’s plan vs Satan’s attempting thwarting of that plan. What’s at stake: Salvation & eternal life, uniting with God in Heaven or being isolated in the despair of Hell – it’s just that straightforward. Think of this: Jesus mentions hell and Satan more than any other part of Bible. THE GOOD NEWS is that we’ve won the war – Satan is defeated. The power is Good is vastly more powerful than that of Evil. By why then is there still a battle? Sin keeps us from our salvation – we choose or reject our participation in the victory. People say sin doesn’t impact the world, that’s just such a blatant lie. More of the dark victories are in the subtler aspects, hidden in the undercurrents.
Winning The Battle: The Everyday Battleground Which is Spiritual Warfare
Winning the Battle with Ken Hunter is a 2 part podcast which concludes the Armor of God Series.
Questions for small group discussion and references are offered at the end of this blog.
These are Ken’s notes for the talks.
Introduction
We cannot win a battle alone, so let’s ask for support:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
This talk is a bit of a “practical” summary of this series, but let’s start with defining the backdrop on the Battle and the Battlefield
From my military background, I approach this from that mindset:
General Eisenhower “planning is everything” – key to planning: complete situational awareness
Knowing: Why we’re war, what’s at stake, who and what’s the enemy
We talk about Spiritual Warfare, but what really is the War?
Simply: Good vs Evil, God’s plan vs Satan’s attempting thwarting of that plan
What’s at stake: Salvation & eternal life, uniting with God in Heaven or being isolated in the despair of Hell – it’s just that straightforward
This is not just a fork in the road for individuals, not just some internal struggle to “find oneself”, but forces actively influencing outcomes
Some Christians don’t realize that it’s a real WAR, ongoing battles
Ignorance or refusal. Bishop Barron’s “watered down Christianity” -> non-threatening or saying Satan’s not real, just need to be a “good” person
Think of this: Jesus mentions hell and Satan more than any other part of Bible
Why? Warning us – now that we have all we need for Salvation, Satan has stepped up his battle as well
Looking at the world around us is all it takes to see that’s it’s going on today, in full force and fierceness
But this is not unique in history – it’s always been that way
But don’t despair – there is Good News! THE GOOD NEWS!
We’ve won the war – Satan is defeated
Jesus Christ – through life, death & resurrection
Here’s the beauty in it – He did it using Satan’s weapons: death & suffering
God’s everlasting Covenant cannot be broken – salvation always available
The power is Good is vastly more powerful than that of Evil
By why then is there still a battle?
War is “over”, battle wages on because the casualties are still being claimed/counted
WWII Japanese example – didn’t expect to win war, but gain territory
What is the Battleground for this continuing battle?
Sin keeps us from our salvation – we choose or reject our participation in the victory
People say sin doesn’t impact the world, that’s just such a blatant lie
Sin definition, extracts from CCC 1849-1851:
“Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. Sin is an offense against God, choosing to walk away from God, and therefore walking away from our salvation and life eternal.”
Satan may have picked up the battle, but WE’VE helped mold the battleground – through sin
Our poor choices – self centered, not God first
Poor choices of others, broadly impacting us directly or even indirectly
Complacency to right the wrong – good men doing nothing
All of this, by everyone, has resulted in shaping our world, our culture, our lives
Most who create/contribute to this, don’t realize it – unsuspecting pawns, so to speak
Peace movement example
Satan’s tactics – get us to reject our victory AND for us to impact the choice of others
Threats, harassments, temptations or even oppression, possession
Molding the culture, the world, promoting self first
Even sometimes in the (misguided) name of “Christ”, like “prosperity gospel”, which is actually COUNTER GOSPEL
Our tactics
Best definition of the battle and our tactics, we’ve heard so often in this series – Ephesians 6:10-17: “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Not just a prayer of protection
Really is working with God, our spiritual walk with our Lord
The armor of God is our very faith, and our faith’s strength is our armor’s strength
Offense AND defense – “best defense is a good offense”
Truth is our foundation
Pontius Pilate’s interrogation: “So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38.
Christ is the Truth, Word is God
But how do we know what is truth?
St Paul in Galatians 1:8 “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!”
Not what we think ourselves, or what we would like to be true
Rather: Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium
Litmus Test – reason
Catherine of Sienna visions
Now we know what the battleground is, but what does the actual battle look like?
Battle landscape – our mindset around the battle
Most expect the overt or the blatant
Devil Worship, Black Mass, abortion
We are pretty good at confronting, very visible
We MUST continue the fight
We are advancing the battle line, but if we give up on these, all can be lost
More of the dark victories, however, are in the subtler aspects, hidden in the undercurrents
Normandy example – diversion
Operation Fortitude – disinformation
Missing the real attack
Maccabees story
Jews wanting lifestyle of convenience, internal struggle for power
Overturning from within – harmony, tolerance
Evil took over without a real fight
Until just a few stood up for faith, then the tide was turned
What comprises these subtle aspects in today’s battlefield?
Things that chip away at people’s foundations, may not even feel like an attack to many
Our defense starts by recognition of the impact
Last time I gave this talk, I listed TONS of examples, but I think we can find examples everywhere – I’ll just give a few now
Jenga effect – take out a block, piece by piece until the whole thing collapses
Not just abortion, but any life
How can we wonder about the uptake of mass shootings when the culture promotes that life has no value
Women as sex objects
Value as women as individuals, value as the identity as a woman of Christ
Plastic surgery example … cutting one’s self image and making us reject God’s image for us
Feminism is misleading – at what point did “empowering” women mean reinforcing behaviors in them that are wrong, enslaving them to sin?
Men as buffoons on TV
Cuts the value of men
Loss of priest, profit, king in families – recognition and acting upon it
Homosexuality
Define people only by their sexual relations
Making us equal to animals – Satan’s view of us
Now on us – mixing the sin with the sinner
Lose the value of humanity
Jesus – tax collectors, prostitutes
Why this subtle attack, this chipping away?
C.S. Lewis –> “lukewarm defense” = no real defense
That which does not grow, withers, and withered faith drifts away from salvation
The Battle: From Within
Cutting us down from within our own Church (at large)
Back to the unsuspecting or those who don’t realize the implications of what they’re doing
Small/trivial aspects, that can lead to bigger and bigger issues if not put into perspective/dealt with
Theological misses
Good intentions – trying to be noteworthy, make their own mark/splash
“Just because they’re a theologian doesn’t mean we need to listen to them” – Patti
Hearing good people introduce doubts, people of stature, creates doubts in ourselves
But are we matching the theology to Church teachings or trying to make those teachings fit our theologies?
Ground all studies in the 3 foundations of the Church – don’t contradict Church Fathers
“Dumb things said by smart people are still dumb things” – God’s not dead
Divisions
Obvious to see Catholicism and Protestantism separation – but internal as well
Groups within Church – ostracize each other
Why? United we stand, divided we fall
Glenn Beck Story – Mormon but unites with Catholics
Beware these traps – don’t fall for them and we need to help others out of them
These are not meant to be “downers”, but rather that knowing is ½ the battle
Winning The Battle – using the armor of God
Now we get to pull all this stuff together
Tactical focus
We must respond to attacks with firmness, but also with Love, Mercy, and Joy
Anything else and we will become what we hate
Winnable – remember we’ve already won
Built piece by piece
Remember: Politicians are a reflection our of society, not the director of it
Remember our armor, our tests from Paul – keeps ourselves grounded
The 5 Parts to a winning strategy
Straightforward, not new, but are we doing? Especially with the focus we garnered …
#1 – Prepare
“You cannot be too prepared” – Deacon Leis
Rest of Eisenhower quote: “Planning is everything, plans are worthless”
Knowing what to do – you can’t script your life
Scripture – Living Word of God
Holy Spirit gives you words to speak
Read lots, memorize some
No Protestant memorizing gene – just the will
Build the relationship
Continual prayer, conversation
“Do what He says” – Mary at Cana Wedding
True worship – knowing our faith
Becomes the rock that the “chipping away” cannot break
Polishing our spiritual armor – cleaning/reconciliation
Sharpen our blade
Dedicate the time
#2 – Rest
Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know I AM God”
Huge revelations for me
Heard everywhere
100% go-go all the time – what’s left to give when you need a boost/crises?
Ivy League schools article
Rest in the Lord – not doing nothing
Reflect and think – slow down
Jewish view on Sabbath – just lay around
Really treating Sunday as the LORD’S DAY
You cannot know truth without thinking
Muslim story on reason
So say “NO!” Make choices.
#3 – Communitize – be active in the faith
Msgr. David’s homily on Mercy Sunday – coal away from fire
“2 or more together in my name, I am in their midst”
Not a mistake
Animals in wild – isolated in danger
#4 – Act
Doesn’t contradict rest – time to rest, time to act
Advance your spiritual journey
That which does not grow, stagnates
Actively advance relationship to next level
When comfortable, do something new/different
Reflect our faith
How we communicate
How we relate
How we choose – such as vote, how we purchase
How we let ourselves be known
Evangelize
Ourselves – push ourselves
Our families – role model
Our world – piece by piece
Don’t try to eat the whole elephant, but know which bites to take first
Our world is a reflection of ourselves
Be BOLD
Deacon John story
My examples:
Wearing the cross
Demand the right thing, and join the other voices demanding the right thing
Not always appear successful, but we don’t know our true impact
Missionary example
Join the fights, big AND small
Lots of people complain, say “somebody should do something” – well, be part of it!
Recognize the battles in our lives – from our discussions
Respond to the battles in our lives
If we do our part, the bigger will happen
Lots of small items build up
Eating the elephant – one bite at a time – but know which bite
Know that we need to give ourselves up to something bigger for ourselves to be bigger
Morals are not defined by us
Inherent – but can fool ourselves
#5 – Love (last and foremost)
Unity
Recognizing Christ in Christians – and in everyone
Center of soul of all
Relevant Radio Homily: unity is a choice, not an agreement on everything
Pope Francis quote
Social justice 2nd – it will come if Love comes 1st
We are the ambassadors of our faith
Military example – always on duty
Become the vision of Christ we want others to know & see
Ok, work on it – but keep the struggle going
Be that beacon
HUGE ONE – use the name of Jesus, and mean it
On yourself first
In dealing with other external issues
In closing
Really, it’s all simple – we tend to overcomplicate SO much
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but don’t do as I say?”
We say “Lord AND Savior” and just focus on the Savior part
Is He your Lord or not?
Live as we want the world to be, as we want eternity to be, as Christ instructed us to be
Trust in the Lord – stand on firm ground
Don’t believe the lies, or let our tendency to doubt win us over
It is not us, but allowing the Lord to fight for us
Because He is in us, He fights for us – but you must allow Him to
Psalm 25:1-3 – Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
Realize our role
We are all in the fight for salvation – everyone, whether they think it or not, want it or not
Change the world – country – state – town – family – self
Thank you so much!
Discussion Questions
1. Ephesians 4:22-24 “you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” How has this series helped the renewal of your mind? Describe other ways the mind is renewed spiritually.
2. Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” How are you equipped for ministry for building up the body of Christ?
3. Ephesians 4: 15-16 “ Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, l Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love” Do you think the Church should minister to you or that you should minister to the Church? How?
4. Ephesians 4:29 “No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” How important are your words for winning the battle?
5. Comment on tonight’s talk.
Ken Hunter References
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Sin definition, extracts from CCC 1849-1851: “Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. Sin is an offense against God, choosing to walk away from God, and therefore walking away from our salvation and life eternal.”
Ephesians 6:10-17: “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
John 18:37-38. Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
Galatians 1:8 “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!”
Exodus 8:1 Moses: proper worship
Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know I AM God”
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but don’t do as I say?”
Psalm 25:1-3 “Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.””
