There's a Crack in Your Armor Perry Stone

worn down with weights and burdens that distract you from the principal assignment. Paul advised Timothy about preparing for spiritual warfare with these words: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. —2 TIMOTHY 2:3–4 As recorded in Mark 4:19, Christ revealed the three main weights that will bog down and distract a believer: 1. “The cares of this world”—distractions of various forms that weigh down your mind and oppress your spirit 2. “The deceitfulness of riches”—seeking after wealth, working to gain things while ignoring your spiritual growth 3. “The desires for other things ”—meaning to covet and long after things, spending time pursuing after things There is a difference in dealing with one conflict and in having three darts coming from three different directions at once. If you have a rebellious child addicted to illegal substances, a rough marriage, and lack of finances to pay the bills, then the burden and weight of the cares of life add on to the intensity of the battle. We must lighten the load so we can fight a good fight and come out without wounds and near spiritual death experiences. Fight the most important battles