Seven Weapons Of Spiritual Warfare - Part I
May 2020
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“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” —II CORINTHIANS 10:4
The year was about 1989, and Donna and I were living in Mobile, Alabama. I was preaching a series of sermons called Spiritual Warfare in the church where I pastored—Knollwood Assembly, in Mobile, Alabama. We had been experiencing some serious spiritual warfare in the church at the time. After hearing one of my messages on spiritual warfare, a church member asked if I had read the book This Present Darkness by Rev. Frank Peretti. I said that I had not, and I was strongly encouraged to buy the book.
About six months later, I was visiting a Christian bookstore in my home town of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and I saw the book for sale, so I bought it. The book changed my life! I could not stop reading Peretti’s book. The story, the plot, and the characters of the book fascinated me. It was written in an allegorical style, and I could not put it down. In about three days time, I had finished the book, so I started reading it over again. It was all about spiritual warfare. My perspective regarding God’s kingdom and Satan’s domain greatly changed upon reading the book.
I had studied carefully every scripture in the New Testament that dealt with spiritual warfare, yet, Rev. Peretti helped me to see things I had never seen before. Saint Paul clearly identifies the battle in Ephesians 6:12. He teaches that we have to deal with principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. In addition, I John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Friend, every child of God and every true church is in a battle. It is God’s will for the blood washed church to pull down the strongholds of the enemy. We are to destroy, not tolerate, the works of the devil. Satan wants to break up every Christian home, destroy every church, and even destroy our nation. He wants to bring down every God-ordained pastor and anointed church member. Do we know (really know) what Satan is up to? He is after your health, your children, and your church.
Saint Paul wrote in I Timothy 6:12 to “fight the good fight of faith.” God desires for His children to fight and live an overcoming life in the Spirit. To do this, I believe that every child of God must know and be able to use the seven weapons of spiritual warfare.
1. The Word of God is the first weapon of spiritual warfare. Hebrews 4:12 declares, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Ephesians 6:17 reads, “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Oh yes, don’t forget, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). When a believer has truth and walks in truth, he or she will be able to discern and know the correct responses to the many challenges of life. The Word defeats the enemy and changes confusion into triumph. The Word is our offensive and defensive weapon. It is a two-edged sword.
2. The second weapon of spiritual warfare is the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 declares, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost (Spirit) is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Jesus said in Luke 24:49, “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Christ said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” First John 4:4 declares, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, that believer has a resource like no other to defeat the enemy. Satan has no weapon that can withstand the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit makes available the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. Another great weapon of spiritual warfare is the authority to use the name of Jesus. Do you recall reading about Peter in Acts 3:6 when he said to the lame man, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk”? What happened? Verse seven says, “Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” WOW! That’s a miracle. Hebrews 13:8 reads, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” John 14:14 says, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” We should ask in His name. We should pray in His name. We should expect miracles in His name. Luke 10:17 reminds us that “even the devils (demons) are subject unto us through thy name.”
Next month we will continue with weapons four through seven in part two of this article.
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