BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE

What is warfare? It simply means a constant tough battle against foes in order to gain victory. Warfare is a fight to finish, tough, hot, and only one gets crowned the winner. What then does the Bible have to say about warfare?

In the Old Testament, we find that they were engaged in a lot of warfare, right from the time of Abraham till the end of the Old Testament. In the book of Genesis 24:13-16; we find that Abraham had to fight and battle those who had captured his nephew Lot and his goods and he (i.e. Abraham) brought them back. It was essential that he fought as the enemies were not going to release them quite easily. Moses was engaged in warfare- first with pharaoh and then with the red sea in order to get the children of Israel out of bondage into the Promised Land. Joshua fought in many battles even when they had gotten to the Promised Land. The book of judges is a testament to these battles also.

David, a man who had a glorious destiny and future also had to fight battles too. However, his battle with goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17 was only the beginning of the many battles he faced in his life. On and on we see throughout the Old Testament, different kind of battles. A noticeable characteristic of these battles is that they made use of physical weapons. The New Testament however provides an entirely different perspective on the perspective on the believer’s warfare.

                                       NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE ON BELIEVER’S WARFARE

Ephesians 6:12 clearly describes the believer’s warfare. It says here that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Here, warfare is described/ referred to as wrestling. Another place in the Bible where wrestling is made mentions of is in Genesis 32:24-32; where Jacob wrestles with an angel till the breaking of the day. Wrestling involves energy, effort and serious concentration so as not to lose to the opponent. This is how Christians are expected to fight. Now our battle is not against flesh and blood hence no use of carnal weapons. It states that our battle is against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

                                                          OUR FOES

A lot of verses in the scriptures have a lot to say about who we fight. In Ephesians 6:12, our enemies are listed as follows: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 also gives an insight an insight into which our enemies are: we war not after the flesh… to the pulling down of strongholds (1), casting down imaginations (2), and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God (3), bringing into captivity every thought (4)…to revenge all disobedience (5). 1 Peter 5:8 has something to say about this. Peter cautions us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary the devil walketh about seeking whom he may devour. 1 John 5:4 also explains that whatsoever is born of God overcomes –the world.

Wow that is a list of enemies, among others by the way, that we need to fight, the hardest of all being SELF. Looking at this list of enemies, the average person would do well to be afraid. However, the Christian should not be afraid. Why? He is a child of God, born of the Spirit into the family of God; he knows there are enemies and that by the grace of God he is well equipped and prepared to fight them and overcome. Having identified our enemies thus, what then are the weapons with which we can defeat them?

                                                THE WEAPONS

One thing is quite clear, for one to succeed in a battle one needs the right weapons. That is the first start to any success or victory. That and a mind prepared to win no matter the cost. What then are the weapons of a Christian?

Ephesians 6:10-19 has a lot to say about this. Verse 11 states:  put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. This simply translates to mean that there is no chance for an incomplete armory. Every weapon is essential if victory is to be won. What then are these weapons/

1.      Loins girth about with truth: 1 peter 1:13 talks about the girding of the loins. Truth is our girdle. Psalms 51:6a makes us to know that God desires truth in the inward parts. This girdle is the one that hoists up all other amours together. Without the knowledge of the truth in God’s word, a Christian would soon fall.

2.      Breastplate of righteousness: Isaiah 59:17 says: for he puts on righteousness as a breastplate…. The warriors in those days put breastplates close to their heart, to shield their chest regions. A shot to the heart is as fatal as any other injury. For Christians, righteousness is the guard for our heart. Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to keep our hearts diligently, for out of it are the issues of life. The heart is a target for the devil and as such should be guarded jealously.

3.      Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: flimsy footwear cannot be worn during battle for there might be thorns on the way, or even dangerous objects. It must thus be guarded well. For a Christian, evangelism is the covering against the poisonous traps laid to ensnare us. Most times, what keeps a believer still standing is the knowledge that he has preached to someone before and as such would not want to go against what he has already condemned before, knowing that he is being watched.

4.      Shield of faith: 1 john 5:4 says that for whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Faith and absolute trust in God is our shield when the fiery darts of temptations come our way. It takes faith in God to remember that God promises not to suffer us to be tempted more than what we can bear. He will also provide a way out. For Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, their fiery dart was a literal burning furnace but they stood with God, trusted Him and were victorious.

5.      Helmet of salvation: Isaiah 59:17 also talks about the helmet of salvation. In the battle for man’s soul, the first thing that gets him on the winning side- God is salvation. Without this, he cannot even fight against any enemy. After salvation, which is the crown, it must not be lost otherwise the head might just be cut off unless God intervenes and the individual quickly retraces his steps.

6.      The sword of the spirit (the word of God): this is the only offensive weapon. The bible says that the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged-swords… Hebrews 4:12. This is our only means by which we can offensively tackle the enemies of God. Satan does not respect anyone who does not know the word. This is because in john1:6 we are made to understand that “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was God”. Jesus is the word of God. The scriptures revealed to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are the word of God. In revelation chapter 1:13-17 when john describes Jesus, he also said that “…out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword.” The word of God pierces and is the only weapon we have to defeat the enemy. 2 Corinthians 10:4 makes us to understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. These weapons by the grace of God become instruments of destruction against the enemy and his cohorts.

                     How to get and use these weapons          

A Christian has to have all of these weapons. The first step is salvation. After these, as he begins to grow in faith in faith and grace, he becomes spiritually mature that he begins to now fight against these enemies without others having to do it for him.

Getting these weapons is just the first step. Of what use is a weapon if not known how to be used. It might even end up injuring the person holding them. It is not advised that a just growing Christian begins to take on battles stronger than his level. He would get injured and possibly killed unless god intervenes. Rather as one overcomes little day by day, he begins to develop his spiritual muscles until he can take on bigger battles. First, he has to stop running to his spiritual leaders for every little difficulty that he encounters but rather stands against it and overcomes seeking spiritual counsel where necessary. 1peter 2:2 admonishes us that ye may grow thereby:” in 2peter 1:5-9, it says there that:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance… patience… godliness… brotherly kindness and… charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off….”

Christianity is about growing daily and developing in the knowledge of God and in righteousness and holiness until the end of our sojourn here on earth.

                       HOW TO TAKE POSITION AS A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

In the book of 1 Timothy 2:3, 4, Paul admonishes timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ. No man that entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. A Christian has no business with the affairs of this world. They are just distractions which can derail him from focusing on the battle and he could be hit by a stray dart of the enemy. How do we fight and overcome?

James 4:7 has an answer for us. It says: submit yourselves therefore to God. We are first to submit our entire being to be used and directed by god. Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:1-3 that we should present ourselves holy and acceptable before god as a living sacrifice. We are not to be conformed to this world but by renewing our minds with the word of god, are to be transformed. In 2 Corinthians 10:6, we are made to understand that: and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS COMPLETE. We cannot hope to overcome the devil when we are not wholly obedient to God yet. We will just be made a mockery of the devil. When we have attained the first condition, we can then move to the second part of James 4:7 which says: resist the devil and he will flee from you. It is only then we can successfully resist the devil and be sure of victory.

                                                            CONCLUSION

The Christian race involves warfare from the moment we start the race at salvation, till we draw our last breath. Matthew 11:12; here Jesus states that: and from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force. Paul says: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Paul has finished his part, those who have gone before us also have. Remember

                                                            Onward Christian soldiers           

                                                            Marching as to war

                                                            Looking unto Jesus

                                                            Who is gone before.

We are left to carry on this baton. Let us fight with all fervor and zealousness, knowing that to him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God- Revelation 2:7,11,17,26,27; 3:5,12,21. May God help us all to fight and win in Jesus name, Amen.