Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)
No one wants this battle of spiritual warfare, but we have been compelled by our Lord to fight the good fight against the forces of evil. To choose not to do battle, or to be indifferent to this warfare is a greater evil. Scott F. Wright
William Tecumseh Sherman, General of the Union army aptly stated, "War is hell", and I would agree with him in that it can be a devastating, and ongoing battle of evil. I haven't personally fought in any physical war as an enlisted man in our military, but I can definitely say I have fought and continue to fight a spiritual war daily. Truth be told, we all have, as our ongoing battle is against the enemy known as Satan and his emissaries who have chosen to cast their lot with him, and who have dedicated their existence to making attacks on the human race. We are told of this battle in Ephesians.
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. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
We are exhorted as Christian men and women to fight the good fight - to lay hold of eternal life (see 1 Tim. 6:12), and we are told to prepare for this battle by putting on our Spiritual body armor.
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; Ephesians 6:13-17 (NKJV)
Once we have put on our Spiritual body armor, we should seek the Lord to empower us for our daily battle against Satan's temptations, schemes and lies - we are to be filled with God's Holy Spirit.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
Once we have been filled with God's Holy Spirit, we are now prepared to fight, but we will use no conventional weapon such as a rifle or knife - we will use the mighty weapons of God (See 2 Cor 10:3-5). Any attempt to fight against the enemy without God's assistance will end in loss (John 15:5). We are told God's weapons are all we need to pull down any stronghold of the enemy. A stronghold is any area in our life where we are succumbing to the enemy's temptation and are allowing ongoing sin to be present.
We need to bring these lies which come in the form of temptation captive, and we need to identify with their origin and their mission. They are temptations to fear, worry, doubt, to be angry, or to covet and lust. We need to stop thinking upon them as fast as possible and discard them from our mind - replacing them with proper thoughts as outlined in Scripture (Phil. 4:8). We need to start praying and seeking the Lord immediately.
...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
We need to cast our mind upon the Lord and fill our mind with His promises and guiding commands contained within His Word - instructing us on how to fight each individual battle.
As Christians, the danger comes when we choose not to fight, whether out of apathy, fear, or just laziness. We are not to become complacent or conformed to this world because the world is not our home (Rom. 12:1-2; John 18:36).
The temptation to stay away from any confrontation is one of the most deadly lies from the enemy. By choosing not to fight, you are just becoming a lamb for slaughter. By choosing not to put on your spiritual armor, you are inviting certain mortal wounds. By choosing not to use the mighty weapons of God to fight with, you are simply conceding to defeat. God has commanded us to stand fast, and to fight. He has commanded us to walk in faith and to call upon the name of the Lord in battle. We must be obedient or we will suffer, as will those loved ones around us.
Hear me in this Christian, there is a justified anger, and it is to be against evil. Get mad and get fighting!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with respect to our responsibilities as Christian men and women with regard to engaging in Spiritual warfare?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you putting on your armor consisting of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the only offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word?
APPLICATION: Seek to be dressed for battle soldier! The war is coming to you today whether you like it or not, so be prepared to fight!
No one wants this battle of spiritual warfare, but we have been compelled by our Lord to fight the good fight against the forces of evil. To choose not to do battle, or to be indifferent to this warfare is a greater evil. Scott F. Wright
William Tecumseh Sherman, General of the Union army aptly stated, "War is hell", and I would agree with him in that it can be a devastating, and ongoing battle of evil. I haven't personally fought in any physical war as an enlisted man in our military, but I can definitely say I have fought and continue to fight a spiritual war daily. Truth be told, we all have, as our ongoing battle is against the enemy known as Satan and his emissaries who have chosen to cast their lot with him, and who have dedicated their existence to making attacks on the human race. We are told of this battle in Ephesians.
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. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
We are exhorted as Christian men and women to fight the good fight - to lay hold of eternal life (see 1 Tim. 6:12), and we are told to prepare for this battle by putting on our Spiritual body armor.
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; Ephesians 6:13-17 (NKJV)
Once we have put on our Spiritual body armor, we should seek the Lord to empower us for our daily battle against Satan's temptations, schemes and lies - we are to be filled with God's Holy Spirit.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
Once we have been filled with God's Holy Spirit, we are now prepared to fight, but we will use no conventional weapon such as a rifle or knife - we will use the mighty weapons of God (See 2 Cor 10:3-5). Any attempt to fight against the enemy without God's assistance will end in loss (John 15:5). We are told God's weapons are all we need to pull down any stronghold of the enemy. A stronghold is any area in our life where we are succumbing to the enemy's temptation and are allowing ongoing sin to be present.
We need to bring these lies which come in the form of temptation captive, and we need to identify with their origin and their mission. They are temptations to fear, worry, doubt, to be angry, or to covet and lust. We need to stop thinking upon them as fast as possible and discard them from our mind - replacing them with proper thoughts as outlined in Scripture (Phil. 4:8). We need to start praying and seeking the Lord immediately.
...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
We need to cast our mind upon the Lord and fill our mind with His promises and guiding commands contained within His Word - instructing us on how to fight each individual battle.
As Christians, the danger comes when we choose not to fight, whether out of apathy, fear, or just laziness. We are not to become complacent or conformed to this world because the world is not our home (Rom. 12:1-2; John 18:36).
The temptation to stay away from any confrontation is one of the most deadly lies from the enemy. By choosing not to fight, you are just becoming a lamb for slaughter. By choosing not to put on your spiritual armor, you are inviting certain mortal wounds. By choosing not to use the mighty weapons of God to fight with, you are simply conceding to defeat. God has commanded us to stand fast, and to fight. He has commanded us to walk in faith and to call upon the name of the Lord in battle. We must be obedient or we will suffer, as will those loved ones around us.
Hear me in this Christian, there is a justified anger, and it is to be against evil. Get mad and get fighting!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with respect to our responsibilities as Christian men and women with regard to engaging in Spiritual warfare?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you putting on your armor consisting of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the only offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word?
APPLICATION: Seek to be dressed for battle soldier! The war is coming to you today whether you like it or not, so be prepared to fight!
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