SPIRITUAL WARFARE - Part III
Apr 2016 |
Ephesians 6:10-14—“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.”
THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
In last month’s article we continued our introduction to spiritual warfare. In order to operate successfully against the spiritual forces arrayed against us, the believer must learn how to sit, or rest, in righteousness established by faith in Christ’s sacrifice.
Secondly, the believer must learn to walk in the power of faith and grace, ever keeping the Cross as his or her object of faith. This enables the believer to walk in righteous living and truth. It also opens the believer to the never-ending filling and refilling work of the Holy Spirit.
The third section of Ephesians is what we have been building toward. If the believer knows how to sit and is properly versed and active in how to walk then, and only then, might they find the ability to successfully face the powers of darkness which are arrayed against us. Then, and only then, will the believer be truly able to stand.
STAND
The concept of standing must be understood in the light of one who is standing to maintain something already established. The word itself means to stand fast against an enemy or against opposition.
The story of David and Goliath comes to mind. To stand does not mean to run down into the valley and defeat the giant. To stand indicates that the battle is already won, that my foot is on the neck of the defeated giant and that his decapitated head is held high in victory in my hand.
To stand means to stay, to remain firm, or to hold one’s position. The believer is not standing in order to gain a victory, he is standing in order to declare and maintain the victory already won. We stand by faith in the face of opposition that is attempting to cause us to doubt that the giant has already been defeated.
By standing in the truth that we know we are equipped spiritually is to withstand. To withstand means to have the power to resist or to overcome. As we face the spiritual forces arrayed against us, we are to sink down into the full armor of God, we are to dress ourselves in the full provision of God, and we are to fight the fight of faith in the protection that the whole armor of God provides.
THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE
The Bible says in II Corinthians 10:4 that the “weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”
What weapons do we have that help us to stand that are not of human or fleshly origin? Let me suggest that some of our weapons are listed right here in Ephesians 6, verses 14 through 18. These are weapons that we cannot conjure up or manufacture, and they are weapons we are to stand in.
First is the power of truth. If believers know how to live for God by faith in the Cross, then they are standing in the truth.
Second, if they are believing in Christ’s Cross relative to God’s redemption plan, then they are standing in the righteousness of God.
Third, if they continually rely on the Cross, then they will be comforted and led by peace that passes all understanding, which will prepare them to face the enemy without fear.
Fourth, as they hold to truth, righteousness, and peace, they will be shielded from the direct attacks of the enemy by raising the shield of faith.
Fifth, when their minds and thoughts stay centered upon the power available through God’s true salvation plan, then no debilitating doubt about their relationship with God, or the way in which God works, will penetrate their hearts to destroy their faith.
Sixth, the believer has the availability of the Word of God, which has the ability to cut down the enemy’s attack against his faith. Knowing and understanding the Bible is a must if the believer is to accurately and with proper efficiency “swing” the sword of the Spirit.
And the seventh weapon is the ability that we have to access the throne of God by prayer. As we take every need, every desire, and every issue to the Lord, then we learn that He is ever faithful to accommodate all aspects of our lives. As we lift our needs to Him, then He willingly, lovingly, and with all wisdom intervenes perfectly into the issues of our lives. Through the proper use and application of this armor and this heavenly weaponry, believers will find themselves both clothed in the armor of God and standing in the equipping grace of God.
JESUS PAID IT ALL
Jesus has paid the price on Calvary that we might first sit, then walk, and finally stand. He has furnished us with the armor and every weapon that is required to walk victoriously over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Believe in His precious finished work, and you, too, will find the supernatural ability of the Lord to help you sit, walk, and stand.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
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