The Battle Must be Fought

It's good to be informed.  But if knowing facts and having the latest information is not balanced with the knowledge of God, it is a dangerous thing.  We must be able to process and evaluate what is happening in our world in light of the God we serve.  When we hear a bad report our reaction could easily be to give up hope or slide into depression and give up trying to resist evil. 
Sometimes what we don't know can be the condition which makes possible a full blown defeat.  Adam and Eve had no experience with deception.  They had no knowledge of lies or of the author of lies - the devil who was their enemy.  And as it turned out they were no match for the lurking evil that sought their demise and plotted their destruction.  This is a case where their lack of knowledge left them wide open to defeat.  But if they had stepped back when the enemy approached, and remembered who their God is - that He is love, truth and life - and met  those bad reports with what is true, everything would be different.
When we were given the bad report that we have Parkinson's Disease - or whatever disease you may be suffering from - or whatever hopeless word you have been given, how did you react?  Did you immediately step into the Presence of the All Powerful, All Knowing, Loving Creator Who has only your best interest at heart? 
Did you consider that this might be an attack by the evil which is always in pursuit?  Could this situation have been planned by the enemy that the Bible warns us about?   If so, then ignorance of this evil one is like an open door to him.  If we don't know what the weapons of our warfare are, nor know how to use them, then we are doomed. 
Some people say to educate ourselves about our evil enemy is to give him undue respect.  Not so!  To ignore what God says and pretend that we have no spiritual enemies is DISRESPECT.  Adam and Eve's innocence were no match for the serpent. 
Be prepared for any attack that may come, for surely it will approach you, and it will be in a moment of vulnerability.  Be prepared for sudden unknown calamity.  Be prepared for repetitive disasters (one right after another), and be prepared for the inconceivable.  How? 

1.  Know God.  Know Who He is and what He has done.  Know His promises to you.  And know what He says is right and good and just.
2.  Know that you have an enemy.  Know what God says about him and know his tactics.  Be proficient in the use of the weapons He gives us.
3.  Make it your practice to RUN into God's arms whenever attack comes.

Consider the story in the book of Esther:  The enemy (Haman) of God's people (the Jews) (this included the King's queen who was a Jew) plotted destruction of the Jews and tried to force the king's hand to unknowingly seal their doom.  The plot was discovered, Haman and all of his family were executed, and in the ensuing battle, the King empowered the Jews and gave them the right to defend themselves against any who dared to attack them.

Notice that Haman was found out and executed before the battles ever took place.  Still, the battles had to be fought.  But the final outcome was assured.  The Jews only had to take up their legal arms and defend themselves.

Balance knowledge with knowing Who the God of the Bible is.  Knowledge alone is not enough.  Knowing that there is a God is not enough.  We must be aware of the reality we walk in and we must look at that reality in light of Who God is.  Follow the example of Queen Esther, who approached her King, told him her plight and sought His help.