#629

The Weapons Of Our Warfare

So Many Attacks

As we traverse this world and live out our Christian walk, it is really apparent that the warring against us by the accuser of the brethren and his demonic spawn is heating up. Most of this is coming from the spirit of the Antichrist wanting to push his agenda ahead of God’s timing. This isn’t a new tactic, but I really think that Satan sees an opportunity in the push for a one-world government that has all the advantages that previous generation didn’t. There is the instant communication abilities that we all have now. With the Internet and cell phone technology at their disposal, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and all of its cohorts can broadcast their intentions instantly. And with the vast majority of countries fully behind them along with a great deal of financial backing coming from like-minded businesses to boot, they appear to be a giant of massive proportions. If I wasn’t a Christian that believes in End time prophecy, I’d be resigning myself to giving in to the evil agenda. And I can say evil without blushing because that’s exactly what it is. They want to control every aspect of your life and they are developing ways to punish you if you don’t comply. They only thing in their way are leaders who aren’t willing to give up their national sovereignty and the Church of Jesus Christ who have the discernment to see what’s going on resisting it. Fortunately, in this David and Goliath fight, Christians have better weapons if they only knew it and used them.

Fighting On A Higher Level

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds… (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, AMPC)

If we only could use earthly weapons against these people who have resources that can rout, restrain, and raze us well, we would be completely devoid of hope. One leader boasted about having tanks and fighter jets if we rebel or resist:

During a Wednesday press conference announcing his new gun crime prevention efforts, President Joe Biden said the Second Amendment has always had limitations, and those who think they need weapons to overthrow a tyrannical government would need F-15 fighter jets and nuclear weapons.

Biden said, “If you wanted or if you think you need to have weapons to take on the government, you need F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons. The point is that there has always been the ability to limit — rationally limit the type of weapon that can be owned and who can own it.”

Yes, I could cite historical instances of tyrannical regimes that took over by first taking away citizen’s guns, but that’s not my overall point, which is believers should be fighting on a whole different arena and with better weapons. Interestingly the Apostle Paul actually called those F-15 fighter jets and nuclear weapons “mere human.” I kind of like the way he did that, but he’s right if the Body of Christ would wake up to that fact.

They Have Levels

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. (Eph 6:12, NKJV)

Some think this is just a way to illustrate that the Devil and his minions are organized while others see the various places as actual levels of what you and may be up against. In that line of thinking we would then have 4 levels of demonic activity. Principalities would be the top tier and would then be the forces working in say the WEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) and the like. Powers would then be the next lower level or could be an adjacent level. Commentators are greatly divided on this. The rulers of darkness would be a level closer to where we live as it were. The Spiritual hosts would then be perhaps those who interface directly with and against us. As I alluded to, it may not matter to us since we can’t fight them in our flesh but need to wear the armor God provides for us and them come against them like young David did when he took on Goliath. The point is that they exist and they must be opposed. All too often, Christians just either ignore this fighting exists or just let others fight it on their behalf.

Fighting Against An Unseen Enemy

I now will lean on an article found from a favorite site for me, gotquestions.org to explain the kind of battle we face:

Christian warfare consists of a spiritual strategy fought with supernatural weapons against an unseen enemy. The opposition is real but not visible to the naked eye. Beneath the surface, an invisible spiritual battle is raging. We fight this war not with tangible weapons like guns and ammunition, nor with bodily defenses such as kicks and punches, but by daily putting on the whole armor of God, always praying, standing firm in the Word of God, and staying alert (Ephesians 6:13–18).

The article then covers ground we’ve already covered. It goes on to tell us we need to be knowledgeable about this fight and to fight against it all the time:

The apostle Peter also warned believers to remain vigilant against the devil: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9).

It then says that knowing more about the Ephesians helps us understand the overall fight:

We do not fight against flesh and blood means that our enemies are not human but demonic. Many in Paul’s Ephesian audience had previously dabbled in the occult (Acts 19:18–20) and would have been familiar with the devil and his evil forces.

Understanding the tactics used is also important:

Paul says, in our fight with this enemy, we must be aware of his tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11). And in Ephesians 6:11–12, Paul mentions three main traits of Satan’s spiritual forces. First, they are powerful. They have authority to rule in the world. Second, they are evil. These wicked spiritual enemies use their power to wreak destruction. They are associated with darkness and not light, wickedness and not good. And, third, they are shrewd. They know how to scheme and strategize. They are so skilled at deception that sometimes they come disguised as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) or wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

Do We Even Stand A Chance?

The article broaches this very important question this way:

So how can we, in our human weakness, expect to stand against such strong and cunning enemies? Brute strength won’t win the battle. Humanly speaking, victory is impossible. In our struggle against the devil and his scheming forces, Paul says we must “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). It is our job to stand aside and let God fight the battle for us, and only then are we sure to win.

It is His strength that we need to rely upon:

Only God can strengthen, defend, and deliver us from the power, wickedness, and craft of the devil (2 Timothy 4:17–18). Our enemy may be strong, but God is stronger (1 John 4:4). God makes available to us the same mighty power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand in heaven (Ephesians 1:19–20). Our enemies are defeated through Christ’s victory over them on the cross (Colossians 2:15).

We are then told about a previous battle in the Bible to make a very important strategy:

When David came up against the Philistine giant, he recognized that his fight was not ultimately against flesh and blood. Goliath taunted David and cursed his God, saying, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? . . . Come here . . . and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:43–44). But David, trusting in the strength of the Lord and His mighty power, answered, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).

It ends with something we really need to remind ourselves of over and over again, especially in the heat of the battle:

“For the battle is the LORD’s!” declared David (1 Samuel 17:47), and so ought we as we engage in spiritual warfare. Our fight is not against flesh and blood. The victory depends on the Lord, not us.

The WEF, the WHO, and even the UN is no match for God and His children. They may have their day, but until them we can push back knowing our rock and sling can hit their weaknesses and topple them. And that my friends is a good place for an amen!