War Has Been Declared

It certainly is appropriate to describe the life of a Christian as one that is involved in spiritual warfare.  “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” (1 Tim. 1:18).  By becoming a Christian, we chose a side by which we are identified.  We chose Jesus and His will!  Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).  In so doing, we became part of “the Lord’s army”. 

            With that being understood, I want to ask some questions.  Are we active in the fight, or are we sitting on the sidelines refusing to engage?  A war is not something that is won by being passive.  If we want to be good soldiers, then we must be active in our service for our Lord.  Again, Paul wrote, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4).  Each day, we should be on the “front lines” doing what we can to gain more ground for our Lord. 

            In order to be effective in the battles that we fight, we need to be equipped properly.  Timothy was told to “Put on the whole armour 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.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:11-17).

            Did you notice that the equipment that is necessary for a good soldier is not physical armor, but rather spiritual?  We do not go out to fight with guns, bombs and knives.  Rather we take “truth”, “righteousness”, “the gospel”, “faith”, “salvation” and “the word of God”.

            This is exactly how Jesus fought when He was on the Earth.  On one occasion, Jesus was “…led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt. 4:1).  Three times the devil fought against Jesus with different temptations.  Each time, Jesus was sufficiently prepared for the fight.  First, the devil preyed upon Jesus by saying, “…If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:3).  The attack was not successful because Jesus knew the Word of God.  “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3).  “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down:  for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:  and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Matt. 4:5-6).  Again, the attack was not successful because of the knowledge and utilization of God’s Word.  “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt. 4:7; Deut. 6:16).  “Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matt. 4:8-9).  One more time, Jesus was properly prepared and fought admirably.  “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:  for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4:10; Deut. 6:13).

            Will we be as well equipped when the fight comes our ways?  Do we have enough knowledge of God’s Word that no attack can overcome us?  If we are well armored, then we have no reason to fear the struggle.  We can be as successful as Jesus.  After the devil could not win, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matt. 4:11).  Let us not give an inch to Satan in this war.  Instead, “…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  So, let us rally to the cause of our Lord!  Onward!  Fight!  Fight! Fight!
~ Corey Barnette