SPIRITUAL WARFARE
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. I
Corinthians 10:3-5
All my life, I have heard sermons preached on spiritual warfare and it seems that the emphasis is always on our abilities to wage war. But what we, as Christians, fail to realize is that IT IS FINISHED. The battle is already won and our warfare is accomplished through Jesus Christ, (Yeshua the Messiah). He has already completed the work, but we must not fall short of entering into His rest.
I have participated in prayer meetings that were militant. I have sat and listened to great men and women of God “wage war on the devil”. What they don't realize is they are playing right into the adversary's hand. He teases and taunts you to come away from your position in Christ. He knows that he can never pluck you out of God's hand, but if he can get you to listen to him, he may be able to pursuade you to come out on your own accord in order to “fight” him.
Notice the Apostle Paul says our weapons are not CARNAL. They are not of the flesh. He says, “casting down imaginations” (that word is better translated: arguments). So often, we see Christians believers arguing over the Word of God (or their understanding of it). I have been guilty of this, in the past. But this is warring after the flesh. Rather we are to cast down arguments and EVERY HIGH thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. This is the warfare we are to be engaged in. Look at the weapons the Apostle lists in Ephesians chapter six: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, sandals of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). Most of the armor is defensive or passive. The only offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit and it is to be used on the unseen forces: principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness. It is not to be used against flesh and blood.
There is another weapon listed that is often overlooked. It is the greatest weapon in the believers' arsenal: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me...Prayer is that weapon. Praying one for another. It is like a weapon of mass destruction – only it is not for destruction. This weapon – prayer, works in conjunction with each item in the armor: prayer and the belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness and the prayer; sandals of peace and prayer; the shield of faith and prayer; the helmet of salvation and prayer; the Sword of the Spirit and prayer.
The Apostle James was a man of prayer. In fact, one of the early church historians, whose name was Hegesippus is quoted as saying about James: “he alone was permitted to enter into the holy place; for he wore not woolen but linen garments. And he was in the habit of entering alone into the temple, and was frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard like those of a camel, in consequence of his constantly bending them in his worship of God, and asking forgiveness for the people.” In writing to the church, James said: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:15-18.
Prayer is the believer's most intensive weapon. But it must be used in conjunction with the other articles of the armor of God. Years ago, when writing in this blog on the Lord's prayer, my introductory teaching was on Spiritual Warfare and the Lord's prayer. Truly, the Lord's prayer gives us the outline for spiritual warfare:
Our Father Who art in Heaven = Praise
Hallowed be Thy Name = Worship
Thy Kingdom Come = The Glory or Presence of the Lord
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven = divine synchronization with the heavenly hosts/armies (sword of the Spirit)
Give us this day our daily bread = Bread is the Word of God – the believer's food
Forgive us our sins = humility, and recognizing our weakness (belt of truth)
As we forgive those who do us wrong = Unity of the Spirit
Lead us not into temptation = Power over sin and divine leadership (sandals of peace)
Deliver us from evil = breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, shield of faith
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory = again, praise, worship and glory.
When we begin to appropriate the Word of God and the power of prayer, recognizing that He has already won the battle, suddenly we will see His Kingdom coming in our lives. We will recognize His Will being done on the earth. We will see His provision in even the smallest details of our lives. When we confess our sins, we suddenly are able to see His mercy extended to our fellow man. We begin to let go of grudges and past offenses others have committed against us. After all, if I expect to be forgiven, how can I not forgive others for lesser things they have done to me.
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