The Weapons of Spiritual Warfare - Nathele Graham -
How do angels fight? Have you ever wondered about that? They're created beings and are immortal so arrows won't affect them. Some angels rebelled against their Creator and this rebellion is the root cause of the evil in the world today. God doesn't turn a blind eye to rebellious angels or to rebellious people. Though angels exist in a different dimension than the one we occupy they can cross into ours. Daniel saw an angel who told him that he had just done battle with the prince of Persia and would do battle with the prince of Greece. These princes are what Paul in the New Testament calls "principalities" and are an evil power that influences nations. When we read of the horrors that happen at the hands of Kim Jong-un you can be sure that he is under the influence of the evil power of the prince of North Korea. Still I wonder, how do angels fight. When Daniel describes the angelic being he saw, no weapon was mentioned. The weapons used must be of a different sort than we're familiar with. They must be spiritual in nature. The same is true for Christians. Our real battle is spiritual and must be fought with spiritual weapons. "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." Ephesians 6:12. Guns, tanks, and fighter jets won't help in this battle.
The influence of the demonic dimension can be felt and demons are sometimes seen in the physical realm in which we live. We must do everything we can to fight against this evil force and that means to arm yourself spiritually. Spiritual warfare needs spiritual weapons. "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." Ephesians 6:13. Just as we need weapons to protect and defend ourselves in the physical world, we need weapons to defend and protect ourselves in spiritual warfare. God hasn't left us defenseless but you must learn to use the weapons available for this fight. An army that isn't familiar with the weapons of war cannot win. Christian soldiers need to become familiar the each piece of the armor and learn how to use it properly.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" Ephesians 6:14. The first instruction is to stand. In a battle a soldier must be alert but if he kicks back and gets lazy the enemy has the advantage. So, Christian, stand and stay alert. Be sure your loins are girt with truth. A girt, or belt, will hold the weapons in place so be sure your weapons cling to truth. Don't be confused by propaganda spewed by the enemy. The only truth that's real is God's truth and if you dilute that you have no truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6. If you put man's ideas above God's truth then you've compromised your battle gear. Without truth what can you believe? Do you believe one plus one is two? Can someone convince you it's three? You need to be as certain of God's truth as you are of basic math. Next you need to guard your heart by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. Not your own righteousness, which is nothing more than filthy rags, but Christ's righteousness. How do we learn to use this breastplate of righteousness? As with every item listed in this armor of God, truth and righteousness are found in God's word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16. Study God's word and mold your life to fit His truth. Don't pick and choose the parts of Scripture you agree with, but correct your ideas to agree with God's truth.
What good is a soldier without proper shoes? When out on the battlefield you must be prepared to march so make sure you're prepared. "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" Ephesians 6:15. The Gospel of peace. Jesus paid a huge price for that Gospel and we need to share it. Isaiah prophesied of this Gospel "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Isaiah 52:7. You won't be able to share the Gospel of peace if you aren't prepared. Study. That's how you prepare. People all over the world have questions about Jesus, but if you aren't certain of what you believe then how can you answer questions from other people? "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" 1 Peter 3:15. Whether you preach the Gospel of peace in Zion or in your own neighborhood, be prepared. A soldier's shoes need to be cared for and comfortable. If you aren't comfortable with the Gospel of Peace then get comfortable with it by studying. Then spread the Good News.
Is your faith in place? "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16. Having faith in something means that you know it to be true and trust it. The fiery darts of the wicked are thoughts of doubt that Satan plants in our minds to break our faith. If a loved one is ill and you pray for healing but God's answer is to take that person Home, do you doubt God's existence or question His love? You might go to school and are being taught the lie of evolution and you begin to doubt the truth found in God's word. Satan has just hit you with a fiery dart. Solid faith will shield you from those darts of doubt. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews11:1. The shield of faith will protect you from doubt and protect you in times of testing.
Salvation is a free gift but it cost Jesus a huge price. He left Heaven to die on the cross to save sinners from eternal death. When we accept Christ's shed blood as the sacrifice for salvation we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and salvation cannot be lost. Our salvation should never be taken for granted nor should it be doubted. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17. A helmet covers the head. That's where the brain is located and where thoughts originate. If you listen to the fiery darts from the wicked one you may begin to doubt your salvation and weaken your position in the battle. Keep that helmet of salvation securely in place and keep your thoughts on Jesus. Take your thoughts captive and gain victory over temptation and don't yield to sin. When you're tempted to sin, remember the price Jesus paid for your salvation and choose to follow Him rather than the way of the wicked. Every piece of this armor is for protection and defense. Only one piece is for active use against the enemy and that's the sword of the Spirit. Every word of the Bible in the original language is inspired by the Holy Spirit. "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." Hebrews 4:12. Don't stray from the truth of Scripture. If you begin to re-interpret God's word or "modernize" it to fit current sinful attitudes then you'll have a dull sword that's unfit for battle. The word of God is God's truth. Study God's word and let the Holy Spirit guide all your thoughts, words, and actions. Keep that sword in your hand and be ready to fight.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:18-20. In battle it's important to communicate with the leader. A Christian's Commander in Chief is Jesus Christ. Prayer keeps us in touch with Him and helps us to follow Him more obediently. Paul also asked prayer for himself. He didn't ask that his battle scars be healed or that he could live more comfortably, but asked them to pray that he be more bold in his witness for Christ. "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." Colossians 4:3-4. If you have your armor in place and in good working condition then you can march boldly through doors which Christ has opened, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. Pray for open doors and boldness.
Think about the young David who found King Saul and his army hiding in the rocks and hills rather than fighting the giant Goliath. Saul's army had the weapons of war but were afraid to use them. These men who should have been ready to fight were afraid and their weapons were useless. Goliath hurled curses against God Almighty and David couldn't put up with that. He refused the carnal armor offered to him, but went to face Goliath armed with a slingshot and the armor of God. David won that battle. We can win our battles too if we put on the armor of God. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.
Many people say that Paul was being guarded by Roman soldiers when he described the armor of God. This may be true, but are we supposed to conform our life to a pagan guard? Jesus is our example. The prophet Isaiah described the coming Messiah. "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloke." Isaiah 59:17. Follow Jesus and conform to His ways. No compromise and no wavering but be determined to follow our Leader. Christian soldiers, be armed for battle. Remember that soldiers are stronger when they troop together and the same is true for Christians. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25. We need each other and joining with fellow Christians will help fight this spiritual battle. Fellowship needs to be more than a Sunday morning gathering.
The armor needs to be kept in good working order...the sword won't sharpen itself. We're told to put the armor on, but nowhere are we told to take it off. Keep your spiritual weapons ready for fighting spiritual warfare.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
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