THE WEAPONS OF OUR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
By W. G. Guy
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 –For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
All true Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare! Unfortunately, the majority of believers are ignorant of this fact; as a result they do not fight the fight of faith. Since the enemy of our faith is not actively resisted the church is in a state of decline and individual believers suffer from all manner of afflictions: physical, financial, moral. emotional and spiritual.
We need to know that we have an aggressive enemy that seeks to neutralize and even destroy us:
1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Ephesians 6:10-12 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
In addition to recognizing who the enemy is, we need to know how he operates and the weapons he uses against us so that we can not only defend ourselves but resist and defeat him and his efforts to nullify the advance of Christianity. The enemy is Satan and those under his influence, (Romans 6:16).
John 8:44 – Jesus, speaking to unbelievers said, You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
James 4:7 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
His weapons are lies, deception, physical afflictions, financial troubles, even murder and destruction. Jesus said he is the father of lies; he is a thief and a destroyer.
John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
That is what the enemy does, therefore we need to take very seriously what Jesus said so we can stand and fight. True Christians are to be conquering the enemy’s territory by declaring the truth that sets the captives free of Satan’s controlling lies and deception.
Matthew 16:18 – …..I will build My church, and the gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against it.
We do this with the Word of God which we proclaim – The Gospel.
This spiritual warfare will greatly intensify right up to the return of Jesus Christ when He puts an end to the enemy and take over control of all things on this earth.
Revelation 11:15 – Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Revelation 19:11-16 & 19-20 – Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked
signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Although it appears that there are many enemies fighting against us on many fronts, we must recognize that there is only one enemy, the master conspirator – Satan, who uses multiple resources in his effort to fight against Christ and His church.
We fight against him and his assaults the same way Jesus did, using the same weapons – using the Word of God – “it is written”! The Word is defensive armor as well as our offensive weapons to use against Satan and the attacks orchestrated by his minions.
Ephesians 6:13-18 – Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
We are to stand and resist; to fight and not yield our ground to the enemy, but we are to take his ground and push him out.
Luke 10:19 – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Christians must know and apply the Word of God in prayer and in authority over the enemy in order to prevent being deceived by the enemy and to be victorious in this spiritual battle.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 –For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
Note that these weapons are “mighty through God”; they are His weapons and He is the power that stands behind them. We need to know how to use and apply them!
