Spiritual Warfare!
2 Cor 10:3-6 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
We should understand that there is an internal as well as an external war raging around us. V3 gives the problem, our fleshly nature:
Depending on flesh / self
Same issue as the Israel in the past
30What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. (Rom 9:30-32)
The devil will bring enmity between flesh through
deception & deviate our attention
his goal is that people will not come to Christ!
Eph 6:10-12 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For 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.
Here we see the 4 types of forces (wiles = tricks of the devil) that come in the form of fleshly problems:
- principalities
- powers
- rulers of the darkness of this age
- spiritual hosts of wickedness
V4-6 of 2 Cor 10 gives the solution that we depend on the Spirit & grace through faith!
- Pull down strongholds
- cast down arguments
- cast down every knowledge that exalts against God
- Bring every thought into obedience under Christ!
The 3 action we should perform are → “pull down”, “cast down” & “bring into captivity”
How do we engage in Spiritual war?
13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; (Eph 6:13-18)
- truth wins: “speak the truth in love” (Ep 4:15)
- righteousness: “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles” (1 Pet 2:12)
- preparation: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (2 Tim 4:2)
- faith: trust in God & wait, not in self (Lam 3:25-33, Jer 17:5-8)
- salvation is our objective: "came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luk 19:10, Mt 18:11)
- use the sword of the spirit: “two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12)
- pray and remain strong in the Lord! “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17)
25The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. 27It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. 28Let him sit alone and keep silent, Because God has laid it on him; 29Let him put his mouth in the dust; There may yet be hope. 30Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, And be full of reproach. 31For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. 33For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men. (Lam 3: 25-33)
God allows things so that He can work in people's life!
5Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. 6For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. 7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17: 5-8)
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
6So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 7Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" " (Zech 4:6-7)
Jer 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Things to remember: our approach should be bold but in meekness, gentleness, and humility with patience →
2 Cor 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
Practical way to achieve this is to discuss controversial issues without controversial behaviour
- agree to disagree (or disagree without being disagreeable/irritating)
- argue without being argumentative (no quarrelling)
- contend (claim) without being contentious (disputative)
Meditation:
- How do I react to a problem, keeping in mind the current issues that needs to be addressed in life?
- Which steps do I need to take to understand the spiritual side of the problem?
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