I do have a word of caution here. If we get rid of something we need to be able to fill the void. Unfortunately, as I have found out way too many times for myself, if I don't fill the void I end up going way deeper than when I left. There is a reason behind this though and that can be found in the words of Jesus.In Luke 11 we read: When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:21*-28 KJVhttp://bible.com/1/luk.11.21-28.KJVSo the next question comes: What do replace playing pokemon with? We will take this apart piece by piece, because you see, pokemon seemingly meets several needs and seemingly fills some very big voids. To start let's look at the beginning of the game. At the very outset of most pokemon games, you get to choose your very own pokemon to be by your side. This creature then gets stronger the more you use it in battles and on turn you get more rewarded, but in order to strengthen your creature, you fight other creatures on adventures to stop team rocket( the bad guys who also have pokemon but use them for evil means. Wow! You are probably saying. This is too cool, which is what I was saying when I started, but if you think that is something, wait till you hear this. Is there a Biblical version of this? Yes. What is that? Well let me ask you a question. Did you ever have a favorite memory verse as a child? If so, you can probably say it right now if I were to ask you. You picked that verse out of Scripture because it was your favorite. Notice what the Bible says about itself: *[[Heb 4:12]] KJV* For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Friends we are in a real spiritual war. We need to know how to use the Sword that God has given us. Without that knowledge we are in danger of being deceived. But it doesn't stop here. Jesus said that before He left for heaven after being here that He would send us the comforter. Notice what He says in John 16But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: note 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. We are not alone, Jesus has promised to be with us in our journey. There are people to meet who God wants us to meet. Be in prayer, and He will point you to people who need Him. We have a mission. Notice what Jesus says at the end of Matthew in Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: note 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.During this mission and work we need to be armed, and God has provided us with this armour. Notice with me Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. note note note 13 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. note 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;Now let's look at another area. The area of leveling up. Does the Word of God address this as well? Yes! In fact, in 2 corinthians 3:18 a verse used earlier in a post, the Bible says:*[[2Co 3:18]] KJV* But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.Did you notice the from glory to glory part? We are growing in our relationship with Jesus! Also it's important to notice that we also are battling an enemy that uses Scripture too. Take look at this account found in Matthew 4 again. Jesus is in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil: 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. note 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.Did you notice Jesus answer in ever temptation? It is written. He knew Hid Bible better than satan. He promises to be with us in our journey and battles too! Notice His promise in Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: note 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
