This horse has been beaten to death. We need some fresh perspective on spiritual warfare. I have been to many conferences and have heard so many sermons on how to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and how to stand and fight. I have great news for all of us. The battle has been won. Jesus was victorious and He is sitting on the right hand of God waiting until all His enemies are made His footstool. This statement does not negate the fact that we are daily engaged in a battle. We just need some fresh perspective on the subject.
We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and spiritual wickedness in high place. Don’t worry, I am not taking your warfare away, I am going to show you how to fight and win. Jesus didn’t promise us “no” fight; He promised us we would win. Overcomer’s all receive a reward, so do those that have been faithful.
Most people struggle to overcome the smallest of sins in their lives. but yet they are ready to take on spiritual warfare. They can’t overcome the flesh, but they are ready to do spiritual battle. In the book of Romans we find Paul making a statement that needs some attention.
Romans 8:5-9 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
We see that Paul is trying to get us to think in a spiritual way about things. If we are trying to figure it out with our natural mind we will only produce death. When you think in a natural way you cannot be subject to the spiritual laws of God. The laws of God are life and peace. When you are in the spirit you are subject to experiencing life and peace. So how do we make something that is natural and fleshly, and see it spiritually?
Rom. 12:1-2 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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom. 6:11-13 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Daily we choose to live by the spirit and not to be directed by our bodies. For us the battle is carnality. The enemy has been defeated and has no spiritual power or authority but he knows he can get his evil deeds displayed by people who are weak in the flesh. He is looking for people that can demonstrate his power in the flesh because then they would believe he has power as a spirit being.
Jesus won both the flesh and the spiritual battles he faced. What would you think if I tell you that it is your responsibility to overcome the flesh, but it is His responsibility to fight the spiritual battles for you? Jesus can change who you are but you change what you do!
Ephesians clearly states that we must put on the whole armor of God. The thought starts with telling us whom we are fighting against. Powers, principalities and spiritual wickedness in high place. That sounds like some big enemies right?
Eph. 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 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 the 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:
What is very clear out of this passage of scripture is that the reason to put on the armor is that you might be able to stand, not fight. What you have to see is the fact that the armor of God is the garment that you put on so that you can engage God, not the enemy. I know we were told just the opposite. You are to stand before God and withstand the enemy. The priest in the old covenant had to be dressed in a specific way to minister unto God and to be able to stand in his presence. Paul is giving us the priestly garments to be able to minister to God and be able to stand in His presence. The enemy has been kicked out of God’s presence so when we stand before God, he has no power or voice. We are invited to come boldly into the presence of God.
Elijah says: “The God before whom I stand.” Moses stood in front of God on the mountain while God spoke to him. We are called to stand in God’s presence.
Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
If we stand and allow God to fight for us, then our responsibility is to engage God and not the enemy. You will win more spiritual battles engaging God than you will fighting the enemy.
2 Chron 20:17-18 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
Let me close this first thought on spiritual warfare. Let’s be clear on this. We have a battle. The flesh is our responsibility. Jesus showed us it is possible to overcome the flesh and its desires. When it comes to the spirit we are called to engage God. The armor of God is to be clothed for intimacy not a battle. There is no war in the bedroom. The bedroom is a place for intimacy. Are you ready to engage God?
In our next blog we will address the warfare part in more detail.
