Spiritual Warfare Updated from 03/31/2018

Spiritual Warfare

Most Christians understand that we are in a spiritual war against the enemy of GOD. The devil rebelled against GOD and he hates us because we are made in GOD’s image. When the devil was a servant of GOD he was beautiful because he reflected the Glory of GOD. When through his rebellion he lost his position he no longer was beautiful because he no longer reflected GOD’s Glory. So he has been at war with humanity ever since our creation because we are made in GOD’s image and he is not.

For those who do not believe we are in a spiritual war with the devil – read the words of JESUS and the Apostles. To those who believe Jesus defeated the devil and all we have to do is claim the victory – read the words of JESUS and the Apostles. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear! He who has eyes to see, let him see!”

We know that we have the victory in JESUS and that we are told to work out our salvation with fear. (Galatians 2:19-21, 5:1; Philippians 2:12-18; 1 John 5:1-5) We know that we have spiritual armor for our warfare and there is lots of teaching on the warfare and our armor. My understanding of why many of us do not have the victory is that we do not properly use our armor therefore we have less than good results in our warfare.

What is our spiritual armor? In Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul describes our armor and why we have it. “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 darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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 – and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” NKJV

Study 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

The Whole armor of GOD:

Belt (girdle) of Truth – Jesus is The Truth. How do we put on Jesus? In baptism we crucify our old man and rise a new man in Christ, in the power of His resurrection we are conformed to His death, in the fellowship of His suffering we learn to be true to the Father’s will. We must live in GOD’s truth for our belt to be effective. Study Luke 22:39-45; John 4:34; Galatians 2:20-21; Philippians 3:7-11.

Breastplate of Righteousness – We are the righteousness of GOD in Christ or the rightness, the justice of GOD in CHRIST. We must live rightly and justly this has to do with the Law, the 10 commandments and the commandments of JESUS (read the gospels). While we are set free from the obligation of the law by JESUS’ life, death and resurrection we are still required to keep them for our breastplate to be effective. Study Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11-17; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, 5:21.

Shoding our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace – “How lovely are the feet of them that being good news?” We must know the good news of the Gospel and have the peace that passes all understanding to be ready to share the hope that is in us. Knowing the Gospel is the preparation so that our sharing will be effective and the Peace of GOD is the shoding so that we can go wherever He sends us. Study Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:14-15; Ephesians 2:14-18; Philippians 4:6-7.

Shield of Faith – “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “By faith…” JESUS said “if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” He also said “Have faith!” If we want to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one then we must just believe and do, that is what faith is, no fear, no doubt and our shield will be effective. One of the problems with faith is that it has become some mystical force that we are trying to call on or muster up. In many Bible translations faith is translated as trust in both the Old and New Testaments. Trust is easier for us to understand and practice; we trust GOD, JESUS and HOLY SPIRIT because of our experience and GOD’s Word. Trust becomes habit by experience and does not have to be conjured up to work, that is what faith is! Study Mark 9:23-24, 11:20-24; Luke 8:22-25, 17:6; Hebrews 11.

Helmet of Salvation – Salvation is the gift that GOD gives to all who believe in and confess JESUS, who repent of their sins and are filled with His Spirit. When we allow HOLY SPIRIT to renew our mind and we meditate on the Word of GOD our helmet will be effective in keeping our mind on CHRIST and His Kingdom so that we understand the will of GOD for us. Study Isaiah 26:3; Romans 12:1-2, 16; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Ephesians 4:17-24; Philippians 2:5-7.

Sword of the SPIRIT – “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.” NKJV The Word of GOD read it, study it, live it and speak it! As Jesus demonstrated that is the only way to resist the devil effectively. Study Isaiah 34:5-6; Matthew 10:34-39; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 19:11-16.

Praying always in the SPIRIT – Paul said he was glad that he spoke in the SPIRIT (tongues) more than anybody in Corinth; and “Likewise the SPIRIT also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” He also said to pray without ceasing. We must pray in the SPIRIT as much as we can for our praying to be effective. Study Matthew 6:5-13; James 5:13-18; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22.

So the armor is not something we say and act out each morning as we start our day (as I did for many years). Putting on the armor is not done by repeating the above scripture passage in Ephesians, it is the result of knowing, living and speaking the Word of GOD and doing the will of GOD. The warfare we are in is the devil trying to prevent GOD’s will from being done so that people will not be redeemed from eternal damnation into eternal life. So to fight the good fight we must know and do the will of GOD which is found in His Word the Bible.

Not that we never have to do warfare face to face with evil in the natural and spiritual realms. JESUS said that we would cast out demons and that some would only come out through prayer and fasting. But, this should not be our daily activity; that should be worship and praise, reading and studying, and doing what GOD has called us to do. Study Matthew 5:11-12, 10:16-31; Mark 9:14-29, 16:14-18.

We find the truth of GOD, the rightness and justice of GOD, the peace of GOD, the faith of GOD and the salvation of GOD in the Bible which is the sword of GOD.

The advantage is ours because when we are born again we are filled with the Spirit of GOD who leads us into all truth, reminds us of what Jesus said, instructs us in the will of GOD and gifts us so we can serve GOD resulting in natural and spiritual fruit.