There are two 10 codes that are fairly similar. At
10 – 15 is a disturbance. This means there has been some type of altercation
has occurred. This may include yelling,
name calling, profanity and threatening stances. It may have even drawn an audience and
incited fear and some were around. A 10
– 10 has escalated from a disturbance and become an actual fight. In order for
a call to accurately receive a code of 10 – 10 there must have been physical
contact between the involved parties. Whether this is in the form of a punch, a
kick or a shove, some type of aggressive physical action must have occurred.
There is sometimes confusion in spiritual matters as
to what is a disturbance and what truly constitutes a fight with the enemy. We
have been forewarned and actually promised that trials will come into our
lives. “I have told you these things, so
that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and
confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and
distress and frustration; but
be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have
overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered
it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP) Most
of these, although they may seem intense at the time, are truly just
disturbances in our lives. In his letter the apostle James greeted the early
churches by telling them, “Consider it wholly joyful, my
brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or
encounter trials of any sort or
fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.” James
1:2-3 (AMP) The apostle Peter also wrote, “Be well balanced (temperate, sober
of mind), be vigilant and
cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a
lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 AMP)
Disturbances
will come into our lives and we will grow from them. The above Scriptures go on
to tell us to resist the enemy and be faithful to following what we have been
taught. We are to walk away from these disturbances and “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be
thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in
Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP) When we continue
to follow the path the Lord has given us with a heart full of thankfulness,
praise and peace, the enemy cannot hold on to us. His taunts will fade away and
we will grow strong in the Lord.
The great
fight in the spiritual realm is for the souls of men. From the first temptation
in the Garden of Eden; to the temptation of Jesus in the desert; to this
modern-day; the enemy has fought us with lies. He is a liar and a thief. “The thief comes only in order to steal and
kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it
overflows).” (John 10:10 AMP)
Through deception and crafty tactics, he attempts to prevent or at least hinder
a healthy relationship between God and man. These lies question who God
is and who we are in relation to Him. By causing us to doubt God and our
relationship to Him, the enemy seeks to defeat us from living a life of faith.
This
begins with attempts to prevent one from coming into a relationship with God
through Jesus Christ. Doubt and unbelief can prevent us from calling on the
name of Jesus. “Because if you
acknowledge and confess with
your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in,
and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 AMP) Temptation to the pleasures
of this world, doubt, guilt, shame and other lies can all prevent someone from
coming to the Father with repentance.
Once we
have received Jesus as our Savior, these same lies can prevent us from coming
boldly to God for all we need. “For we do
not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and
have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and
liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every
respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of
grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive
mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need
[appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” (Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP)
In his
letter to the Ephesians, Paul warns of our spiritual fight. “For we are not wrestling with flesh and
blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms,
against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of
this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly
(supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be
able to resist and stand your
ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands],
to stand [firmly in your place].” (Ephesians
6:12-13 AMP) He lists the complete spiritual suit of armor given us to
fight the lies of the enemy; the belt of truth, the best plate of
righteousness, gospel shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. (See Ephesians 6) Most of
these pieces of armor are defensive. The sword of the Spirit, God’s word, is
our offensive weapon to use against all lies of the enemy. We are to study God’s
word to be grounded and wear all the armor. To fight back we use the truths
that are found in Scripture. For every lie the enemy throws our way there is a
promise from God to counter. We must use it well.
Go about
your day and face trials and disturbances by praising and trusting God. When
battles intensify go on the offensive using the word of God to defeat the
enemy. Use God’s word to fight not only your battles but also for the souls of
those who do not yet know our heavenly Father.
(For more
analogies of the armor of God see the posts dated January 6 – 22, 2014)
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