THE 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 [of the flesh], but mighty through God to the pulling down [demolition] of strongholds.                                                                                                                     II CORINTHIANS 10:3-4

 

   God’s Word teaches we are in a war. It is a spiritual war requiring spiritual weapons for the warfare. What are the weapons necessary for victory?   This word “warfare” (strateia) is a noun related to the verb “war” (strateuō). The noun “warfare” is found only twice in the KJV New Testament. Both times with the verb “war”. The second use of both words will help with the answer.

 

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.                                                                                                             I TIMOTHY 1:18

 

   In this personal epistle to Timothy, Paul is instructing him in the things required for leadership service. In serving there is a spiritual “warfare” in which he must “war”. The weapons needed are not of the flesh, but mighty, or powerful, through God. The spiritual weapons Timothy is exhorted to utilize are “the prophecies which went before on thee.” These prophecies were the spoken Word of God. It is the Word of God, whether spoken or written, which is the spiritual armament necessary for victory in the spiritual warfare. This armament is put on by holding in mind what God says and then speaking or acting accordingly.

 

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.                                                                     EPHESIANS 6:11-12

 

   If the fight is not against flesh and blood, then who, in truth, do we fight? A spiritual enemy in a spiritual warfare. The enemy is: 1) “principalities”, or “the highest rulers”, 2) “powers” = “the authorities”, 3) “rulers” is the Greek word kosmokratōr which means “world-ruler” or “world-holder”. Here it says: “the world-holders of the darkness” or “the darkness’s world-holders”, 4) “spiritual wickedness in high places” = “the spiritual wickedness in the heavenly domain”.

 

   Verse 11 says, “that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. The word “wiles” is “a settled plan” or “the method followed”. The Devil follows a particular plan or method in the warfare he wages. Generally, he succeeds. Eve was deceived by his methods, and then Adam also disobeyed God’s instruction. This resulted in the entrance of the sin nature and death.

 

   Adam transferred the authority which God had given him as highest ruler, or world-ruler, to the Devil. Jesus Christ was offered this authority by the Devil in the ultimate confrontation of spiritual warfare. Man’s redemption was at stake.  And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me [by Adam]; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore will worship me, all shall be thine.

 

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.                                                                                                                   LUKE 4:5-8

 

   Jesus Christ held in mind exactly what God’s Word says, then acted upon what it says and spoke accordingly (“It is written....”). He was offered all the power and all the glory of all the kingdoms of the world if he would just worship the Devil. He had to choose. Unlike Adam, he chose to obey what the Word says. He chose to worship and serve only the Lord his God. In this spiritual warfare He achieved victory over the highest rulers of darkness and wickedness.

 

   We also have choices to make in the spiritual warfare of our day and time. The integrity of God’s Word is always at stake. To choose what the Word says is to choose the way of life. Speaking and doing the things which God’s Word declares and instructs are the weapons of victory in the spiritual warfare.

 

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened [distressed]; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.                                                                                                                                                 PROVERBS 4:10-13, 20-22

 

Let love be without dissimulation [hypocrisy]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.                                                                                          ROMANS 12:9, 21