Bud Hancock presents another informative two part article. I thank Bud for his continued interest in my Blog, his biography appears at the end.

Gibber! Gibber!

Chugley

Choose Your Weapons Carefully – Part One

By Bud Hancock

Introduction

Armies are known by the weapons they deploy, which are sometimes used exclusively by them and not by other armies.  For example, the Soviet/Russian army has used the AK 47 assault rifle since shortly after the day it was invented in 1947.  Armies are also known by their armored weapons, e.g., the American Sherman tank, the American Abrams tank, the German Panzer and Tiger tanks and the Russian T-26 tank, as well as others.  

Militaries choose or create their weapons and deploy them, based on the weapons firepower, their lethality, their cost and their overall effectiveness in combat.  There were instances in WW2 when armored tanks, such as the German Tiger, created such fear in their enemies that they effected the outcome of battles for that reason alone.  A true military strategist and leader will deploy his troops and weapons based on his ‘intelligence’ as to their effectiveness in determining the outcome of a battle or war.

Most political wars have been won by superior physical force, based on the strategies and weapons used by the victor.

Weapons, Offensive or Defensive

What constitutes a ‘weapon’?  Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a weapon as “an object used to injure, defeat or destroy”.  This definition makes it sound as though all weapons are offensive, but the true nature of an object defined as a weapon is determined by the intent of the user, the nature of the person(s) instigating the action that leads to the use of weapons, as well as the actual use of them in a battle.

Politicians are well trained in weaponizing objects that would not normally be considered weapons; for example, money has been weaponized and used to batter political opponents and drive them from the political arena.

The First War (And Yes, It WAS Political)

This current war, between good and evil, is merely an extension of the first war which began long before the political action in the Garden Of Eden.  The instigator was Lucifer who wanted to ascend to the throne of God, to make himself LIKE God, to be preeminent over Almighty God (Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV).  Notice in the 13^th verse he says, “I will exalt MY THRONE above the stars of God, indicating that he did indeed have a throne on this earth.  He thus declared war on God with the intention of taking over all of God’s creation.  In that action, Lucifer was defeated and cast down and his earthly throne and rulership were taken from him and the earth entered a long period of desolation and chaos which lasted until God intervened and re-created the earth in the Genesis account.

The only rulership Satan would ever have after that was whatever he could attain by lying, cheating, fraud and deception.  In other words, he would have to usurp that authority from its rightful owner.

War – The Deception Factor

Sun Tsu, Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher said, “All war is deception”.  Most people would contradict that and say that war is about having the best equipped and trained army showing its superiority in battle.  I would strenuously disagree with that statement.  Whether conducted by an army fielded by one or more of the world’s ‘superpowers’, or by a small group of militia led by a local warlord, *ALL war is POLITICAL in nature.  In order for that statement to make sense, one must understand the true definition of politics:

Politics Defined from www.Dictionary.com

noun

• use of intrigue* or strategy** in obtaining any position of power^ or control^^, as in business, university, government etc.

*Intrigue Defined

noun

• the use of underhanded machinations*** or deceitful stratagems.

**Strategy Defined

noun

• a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result: a strategy for getting ahead in the world.

***Machinations defined

    Noun

• · crafty schemes; plots; intrigues

^Power Defined

noun

• ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.

^^Control Defined

noun

• the act or power of controlling; regulation; domination or command: Who’s in control here?

Based on these explanations/clarifications, politics should be defined as “The use of underhanded, crafty schemes, plots, intrigues and deceitful plans, methods, or series of maneuvers (machinations and intrigue) in obtaining any position enabling one to do or act (power), providing the capability of control, domination or command (control). This will now be my definition as long as I live.

The NOW War

Even though history says that we have had two ‘world wars’, this ‘Now War’ is the only truly global/world war ever to be fought; all people on earth will be, or will become, involved in this war and none will escape its outcome.  

We are currently deep into the greatest war since time began, a war between good and evil, between God and Satan.  Skirmishes and battles are being fought almost constantly around the globe in this war, some of them being only in the spiritual realm and many in the physical realm.

I have recently heard many secular analysts who are admitting that we are now seeing a war between good and evil, so in effect they admit that evil exists, something that many have long denied.  Most of them proclaim ways to win this war, to stamp out the evil, much as a recent POTUS claimed he would ‘drain the swamp’.  However, if they believe they can do so while using the same tactics and weapons the ‘evil’ uses, they are sadly mistaken.  The problems caused by this long-running war are spiritual nature and there is NOT a political solution to a spiritual problem.  Only the ‘spiritual weapons’ provided for the good combatants will have any effect on evil.  

Many wars have been waged throughout history and they have ALL been ‘political in nature’; unfortunately,  political wars will continue until the Prince of Peace returns to set up His ‘non-political kingdom’ and rule this world with a rod of iron.  

In order to understand, at least from the physical perspective, the true nature of the ”now” war in which the the entire world is involved, one must remove all emotion from the political process, including considering the personalities of those you have voted for and realize that ALL politicians, supported by Satan, fight their ‘political battles’ using his Luciferian tactics and weapons.  The principal weapons he uses are deceit, lies, fear and intimidation, and they are spiritual in nature.  Unless you are also a politician, fighting in that arene, you cannot defeat a political enemy using the same weapons he uses.  You must seek out the more powerful and effective spiritual weapons if you want to win the war.  

In this current war, from the human, political perspective, many politicians have gladly joined with Satan, using his weapons to further his governance over the kingdoms of this world in exchange for what he has to offer.

While his weapons have served Satan well in his battle against humanity, starting with his first encounter with man, and have allowed him to have almost unbridled control over the governments of the world, they have absolutely NO power in his direct confrontations with Almighty God and those who believe God’s word and allow it to direct their lives.

Satanic Attacks

When we are attacked by spiritual forces, we are not usually on a physical battlefield, using rifles, tanks and artillery; we may be merely going about our daily work or possibly just relaxing after a day of hard work.  Satan’s strategy is to attack when we are at our weakest.  This could be in a moment of extreme physical weakness/tiredness or in times of mental stress and pressure.  His attacks are designed to catch us off-guard and seemingly unprepared to fight them off.  If we know, and remain aware of, the nature of his strategies and tactics, we will be much better equipped to defeat him.  

Our warfare with his forces occurs in the mental realm (2 Corinthians 10:4-6 KJV).  Our enemies, the minions of Satan, will introduce thoughts that are contrary to God’s word and will work to get our minds turned away from truth.  His strategy is to cause us to change our behavior in such a way that we rely on ‘so-called facts’ provided by the world rather than the truth of God’s word.  

Facts are important, mostly in that they provide a comparison between them and truth, but they must never be allowed to take precedence over God’s word.  Even if they are correct, they are not to be considered as truth.  Do NOT believe the ‘so-called’ fact-checkers who will give you their own version of validity of the facts.  Often, these ‘checked’ facts do not come close to lining up with God’s word, and if you profess to be a believer, you MUST make God’s word the basis for every decision you will make.

Paul provided a perfect explanation of why it is so important to cast off the information  we may receive from ungodly sources and only trust in God and His word.  In Romans 121-3 KJV, we read: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”. 

Choose Your Weapons Carefully – Part Two

By Bud Hancock

Choosing Our Weapons

When a physical army engages an enemy, its leaders will try to calculate the amount of pressure, or  resistance, it may encounter and plan its strategy accordingly. That strategy will include the most effective use of its weapons, including the timing of attacks and counterattacks.  Its purpose is to cause the enemy to make mistakes.

Physical armies and their leaders spend untold millions of dollars on research and development in an effort to have the very best weapons they need in a war.  Should Christians avail themselves of research and development as we try to be ready for satanic attacks?  It sounds like a prudent move, right?  Well, how fortunate that we have a God who thinks of everything way in advance.  He knew exactly what strategies and weapons our enemy would use against us and freely provided that information in his word so that we can always be prepared for his attacks.

In Ephesians 6, we are told just what our weapons are, both defensive and offensive, and how we are to use them in our battles against evil.  God has provided the very best defensive weapons for our use, and they provide the ultimate protection for every part of our being, both physical and spiritual, listed here in Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Notice that the full armor of God provides complete protection, and it works by faith to divert every evil arrow hurled at us.  But, add to all this the weapon that is absolutely far superior to anything Satan can use against us: our offensive weapon, the sword of the spirit, given to us in the form of the word of God.  Jesus used that same sword to shut the mouths of all his enemies during his earthly ministry and we must also use it in the same way while continuing that ministry here on earth.

Jesus was always aware of the battles He would face against Satan and was always prepared with His weapons ready.  His life provides the best example of what our weapons are and how to use them, which brings up an extremely important point: The best weapons available are only valuable when they are picked up and used properly.  This is why Paul told us to “put on the whole armour of God…”.  Any armor or weapon laying unused is totally worthless.

I know many Christians who still believe that contacting our ‘elected’ representatives about issues that concern us is the best we can do to change things here in the US.  Let me remind you that if politicians were capable of actually solving problems rather than creating new ones, the US would be in wonderful shape.  But one must remember that those ‘elected representatives’ we are admonished to call, are what they are by their shrewd use of the political system with its weapons. If there are any true believers in our Congress (very few, I believe), they are the only ones even remotely able to help, but then, only if they also are equipped with the proper weapons.  If they are trying to use the same luciferian weapons their colleagues use, nothing will ever be fixed.

To be quiet honest, I have many such contacts over the years and not once did I receive a response that was not ‘canned’ and written by a junior aide. I will never again waste my time on such futile efforts.  Even if ta Congressperson were to personally contact me, what assurance would I have that their response was honest enough to be believed?

That said, I would caution everyone who is a true believer to never put any trust in the words of a politician.  For the most part, his words are a part of his political weapon arsenal, chosen carefully to lead you into believing something that is untrue, which is the very essence of deception.  The only word you need is the one already recorded in heaven and printed on earth as God’s word.  His word is absolute truth (yes, it really does exist) and deception is not a part of it.

Resistance to Force and Pressure

Our adversary is a spirit being who uses spiritual weapons against us. His weapons are designed to put pressure on us and force us into a position of weakness.  Unless we are using the proper and superior spiritual weapons ourselves, we will be prone to making serious mistakes and may face defeat at the hand of a lesser opponent.

James, the half-brother of Jesus explained how we can be assured of victory in our battles with evil: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV).  The word ‘resist’ in that passage is the English translation of the Greek word, anthistemi (Strong’s 436, pronounced anth-is’-tay-mee), and it literally mean ‘to oppose, to stand, or to stand against’.  This dovetails perfectly with Paul’s instructions in Ephesians on how to use the spiritual armor God gave us.  He said putting on the whole armor enables us to stand against the wiles of the devil: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…. (Ephesians 6:13-14a KJV).  He used the word ‘stand’ three times in that passage so it must be important.  In my mind it means, resist, no matter what, Satan’s wiles and, once the dust clears, he will be the one flat on his back, or fleeing for his life, while you and I, after standing against him, will be the victorious warriors.

GOD’S WORD IS PERFECT AND IT WILL NOT FAIL WHEN USED ACCORDING TO HIS INSTRUCTIONS.

Now, choose your weapons, pick them up, put them on and get ready for battle!  Just make sure your weapons are the ones that God designed for victory over evil!  Your possession of these weapons, and your skill in using them, will decide which side of the war you end up on.

Blessings!

budaroo@twc.com

Born and raised in a small textile town in North Carolina, Bud Hancock’s family moved to Michigan in the hope of finding better employment with General Motors.  After graduating from high school, Bud began an apprenticeship with General Motors to become a Metal Modelmaker.  Retiring after a 30 year career, which included an eight year stint as a Meteorologist, he and his wife moved back to North Carolina to be near his elderly parents.  Shortly thereafter, with both of his parents having passed, he started a new career in the bank security/ATM business, advancing from an entry level technician to one of two North Carolina customer service managers for his employer.  Retiring again after 13 years, he and his wife of 51 years relocated to Tennessee where Bud began writing articles specializing in Bible teaching and geopolitical issues.  At age 75, he and his wife relocated to South Carolina with their Miniature Schnauzer, Baxter.  Bud continues to study God’s word and write articles on Christian living and geopolitical issues from the Biblical end times perspective