Spiritual Warfare and Prayer

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

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 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, 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. Ephesians 6:10-19

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.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

I think the following Scriptures sum up this portion of the prayer.


Temptations
For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth..." Gen 8:21

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope. (Roms8:20) Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. (James 1:12) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise...(I Peter 1:6-7) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: (I Peter 2:12) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. (I Cor 10:13) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmitities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest in me. (I Cor 12:9) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations works patience; and patience experience; and experience hope: and hope makes not ashamed. (Roms 5:3-5)

Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted of God:" for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed. (James 1:13-14) For I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my memebers; (Roms7:23) for the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other so that you cannot do the things that you would. (Gal 5:17)

Know you not that to whom you yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey? (Roms 6:16) For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:16) When lust has conceived it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death. (James 1:15)

But I keep under my body, and bring it under subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached unto others, I myself should become a castaway. (I Cor 9:27) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful unto me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Cor 6:12) For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. (II Peter 2:19)

Spiritual Armor and Warfare
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not engangled again with the yoke of bondage, only use not liberty as an occaision to the flesh...(Gal 5:1) Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that is a warrior entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.(II Tim 2:3-4) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Roms 13:12) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (I Thes 5:8) For the weapsons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Cor 10:4-6)

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 all the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicipalies, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore, take unto you 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 your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)