Spiritual War

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV)

We are a people at war. No, I don’t mean the war against terrorism and I don’t mean the people of America. I am of course speaking of the “People of the Name” or Apostolic Christians. We are a people who populate many nations in our world, but we are one people or family. And we are a People at war.

The unfortunate thing about most of our people is that they fail to realize they are at war. Our enemy on the other hand, certainly never forgets he is at war with us. Indeed one of his best strategies is to keep us from realizing we are in the midst of war. The Scripture tells us, that though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh. The problem is that most of us, do war in the flesh. We fail to recognize that we are in a spiritual war, and instead react to those around us and our circumstances with our flesh. The Scripture also tells us that our weapons are not carnal, but mighty in God. However, most of us are engaged in spiritual warfare using carnal weapons that are destructive not to the enemy, but to ourselves and others. Weapons like our own wisdom rather than God’s. Reacting in anger rather than love, and the list goes on.

The primary problem is that so many Christians are carnal to begin with (I freely admit that this is a constant struggle for me). What do I mean? We focus on earthly and natural things rather than heavenly and spiritual things. There is a reason we are to pray and read the Word. We cannot stand against the wiles or schemes of the devil on our own. Without daily prayer time and Word time, we cannot be strong in the Lord or even aware of the war going on around us.

Our enemy uses carnal things to attack us spiritually, therefore we typically fail to recognize the spiritual aspect and react carnally. Certainly this is not the only way he attacks us, but it is the easiest way to attack someone who is carnal to start with. It all begins and ends in our minds. Notice this portion again; For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV).

Our weapons are not to be carnal but mighty in God. We are not to fight the enemy with physical or carnal methods. We fight through prayer and the sword of the Word. When we fight God’s way, we then have His might to “pull down strongholds”, to “cast down arguments and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” and to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”. After all, it’s ‘ Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts (Zech 4:6 NKJV).

Notice what all of these statements have in common. The strongholds, the arguments and the thoughts, primarily have to do with the mind. In other words our thoughts. There is a reason we need to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Our thoughts become our actions and our actions are supposed to portray Christ to the world around us.

So ultimately, the battle ground of spiritual warfare is in our minds. Notice again Ephesians 6:11 which tells us that we need to stand against the “wiles of the devil”. The literal wording is the scheming of the devil. Let’s face it, the devil is smarter, more experienced and more evil than we can stand up to on our own. Paul tells us repeatedly to “stand” in our spiritual warfare. He also tells us that our struggle is not against our boss or co-workers at work or family, neighbors, etc., but it is against the demons of hell.

Because the battle is primarily in our minds, Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (NKJV)

So along with prayer, we must consciously focus on godly things rather than the ungodly. This is where worship songs can be so helpful. Music is a powerful force, both for good and bad. (A good reason to be careful what music you listen to) One thing I have found, is that when I need to get my mind back where it belongs, I can begin to sing in my mind a worship song and I can bring my thoughts back into captivity.

So what are we to do? First, we must recognize that we are at war every day of our lives. The enemy is looking for any and every opportunity to pounce on us and incite ungodly behavior or reactions. Once we recognize that we are at war, we must prepare and fight the war every day. How do we do this? Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (NKJV) There is no easy way around this fact, we MUST pray if we hope to defeat the enemy of our souls. I wish I could tell you an easier way, because I realize that having a consistent prayer life is not easy. However, it is necessary if you wish to win the war.

Spiritual war is not something we can comprehend carnally. Therefore we must work to remain spiritual minded and not carnal minded. I admit that this is a struggle, but that’s why it’s referred to as war. War is not easy and it’s not always clear cut but if you never recognize you’re in a war, you are already on your way to losing that war. Let’s wake up to the war around us and declare war on the enemy and pull down his strongholds. Our thoughts become our actions and our actions portray Christ. What kind of Christ are you portraying?