Equipped to Fight the Spiritual War-Part 1

When Elisha was surrounded by the Syrian army, he told his servant, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kin. 6:16). Then Elisha prayed for God to open the eyes of his servant, "And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (v. 17). John put it this way, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). When you "put on the whole armor of God" (Eph. 6:11a), you can "stand against the wiles of the devil" (v. 11b), because Christ in you is far greater than any enemy.

Paul continues encouraging us to take a stand against the powers of darkness. "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" (v. 13). We need not be afraid before the enemy. We are equipped to be fearless. We simply need to be sure to "take up the whole armor of God." Paul lists six pieces of armor—five are primarily defensive weapons, while just one is offensive in nature. Remember, these weapons are spiritual. They may be described in vary literal, physical terms, but they are spiritual weapons. So, spiritually speaking, when you put on "the whole armor of God" every day, you can "withstand" evil and all of Satan's attacks, and you can "stand" firm with Christ and for Christ.

Paul continues, "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth" (v. 14a). In ancient times, soldiers often wore loose fitting tunics. So the first piece of armor mentioned is this "belt of truth" (v. 14a, NIV). The tunic would be cinched up under the belt when going into combat. Spiritually it refers to the Christian shoring up his life in the truth of Jesus.

"Truth" (v. 14a) refers to God's truth. Knowing God's truth is essential to being prepared for this spiritual battle. Knowing and understanding basic biblical truth about Christ and salvation will keep you from being "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting" (Eph. 4:14). Paul warns us, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1).

Essentially, the Truth, God's truth, is Jesus. He is Truth. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus is not only the way to life eternal; He is the truth. To be prepared for this spiritual battle you must first be certain that your life is girded in truth or centered in Jesus.

"Stand therefore… having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Eph. 6:14b). In ancient times, the soldier would wear a breastplate of armor to protect his vital organs. It was often made of heavy material and covered by bits of bone or metal sown in, "consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides, from the neck to the middle" (W.E. Vine, M.A., Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 565).

Spiritually, the "breastplate of righteousness" (v. 14b) is the righteousness of Jesus. We are to put on His righteousness. We are to let Jesus cover us in righteousness as He lives in and through us. His righteousness is impenetrable by Satan and his demons, making the righteousness of Jesus the perfect body armor of the Christian. Nothing withstands the enemy, the power of darkness, like the righteousness of Christ. Clothe yourself in Christ's righteousness every day and “stand” strong in your faith.

"Stand therefore… having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (v. 15). Soldiers fight and travel on all types of terrain, so it is essential that they have proper footwear. They need to have the right boots on the ground. Spiritually, it carries the idea of readiness.

"Preparation" (v. 15) refers to being prepared or ready. "The gospel of peace" (v. 15) refers to the fact that, in Christ, believers are at peace with God. In this context, it refers to more than just evangelism. It has to do with fighting spiritual battles. It has to do with standing firm against the devil. With the gospel of Christ we are able to stand firm and win the battle.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Through the gospel of Christ, stand firm in the spiritual battle. Always hold your ground. Always be ready to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone who is ready to listen. Amen.

Equipped to Be Fearless

When you walk faithfully with Jesus and live for Him, being filled with the Spirit, the enemy doesn't like it. The forces of darkness begin to attack you at every turn. What you experience is often referred to as spiritual warfare. Note the description of the enemy of every believer in Ephesians 6:12,  "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." The enemy is fierce; but we are quipped to be fearless.

In warfare, it is always of first importance to understand the enemy—who he is, what are his strengths and weaknesses, and how does he operate, or what are his tactics? "God, who made the world and everything in it" (Acts 17:24a), created the angels (Psalm 104:4). Lucifer was an angel described by Ezekiel as having "the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty" (Ezek. 28:12b) and "perfect in your ways from the day you were created" (v. 15).

Then Lucifer rebelled against God. We read in Isaiah: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit" (Is. 14:12-15).

The scene in heaven, of Satan being cast out of heaven, is described like this: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. 12:7-9).

The angel Lucifer rebelled against God in heaven. He tried to usurp the throne of God, making himself out to be above even God. He led a whole host of angels with him in this rebellion and he lost. As a result, Lucifer, known as Satan or the Devil, was cast out of heaven along with all the angels who joined him in the rebellion. They were cast down to the earth where Satan is now known as "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31). He will do anything to pull you away from God. "He is a liar and the Father lies" (John 8:44b, NASB). Satan "transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14b), all in an attempt to deceive as many people as he possibly can. That is the enemy; who he is, his strengths and weaknesses, how he operates, and what his tactics are.

Knowing the enemy, Paul instructs us, saying, "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" (Eph. 6:10-11). Remember, Satan was described as having "powers" (v. 12), but he is not omnipotent or all-powerful; God is! Satan knows a great deal, but he is not omniscient or all-knowing; God is! Satan gets around on this earth, but he is not omnipresent or present everywhere; God is! So when Paul says, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (v. 10), remember that the Lord's might is far mightier than anything the enemy can muster. We simply must stand firm on God’s truth at all times. When you "know the truth… the truth will set you free" (John 8:32, NIV). Amen.

The Importance of Prayer

The Scriptures, the Bible, God's Word helps us to know Christ and to walk with Him daily. That is a good description of living the Spirit-filled life. But to be successful, to continue to live the righteous life in Christ on a regular basis, everything must be engulfed in prayer. A good prayer life is the key.

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." You can approach God boldly in prayer because He wants you to bring your needs to Him. He answers your prayers in "mercy" and He brings "grace to help" in your "time of need." As Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).

Paul told Timothy, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Tim. 2:1). And again, Paul said, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1  Thess. 5:16-18).

The bottom line is this: prayer is so important that you are to be in an attitude of prayer every waking moment of every day. That doesn't mean you constantly have your hands folded, head bowed, and eyes closed in prayer, but that you are always mindful of the power of prayer and you are always ready to shoot up that arrow of prayer to God whenever the need arises. And there is power in prayer.

James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Here we are encouraged to fellowship together as believers, holding each other accountable and praying for one another. When we are faithful in prayer and passionate for what or whom we are praying for, God will answer. In fact, our "effective, fervent prayer… avails much" or "has great power as it is working" (ESV).

Jesus understood the importance and power of prayer. That is why He set aside time every day to get alone with the Father and pray. Luke 5:16 says, "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Mark 1:35 also says, "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." He did what I believe He wants us to do: He set aside time every day to consider the Word and to pray.

All of this taken together describes a life that is holy or righteous. It is the Spirit-filled life. It is a life that abides in Christ. Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me" (John 15:4). The key to the Christian life is to learn to abide in Christ. Remember how we described the Christian as being "in Christ"? Abiding in Christ is just that: remaining in Him and getting to know Him better each day. Victorious Christian living comes from abiding in Christ day by day; living in Him and letting Him live through you. Amen.

The God-Inspired Word

Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We must understand the nature of Scripture—what Scripture is. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (v. 16a) is the key phrase. The Greek word translated "inspiration of God" comes from a compound word that combines the word "God" with the word "breath, wind, or spirit." It means that Scripture was given by God's Spirit, or more directly by God's breath. Scripture came directly from God when "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

God told Jeremiah: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth" (Jer. 1:9). God gave Jeremiah the words to speak and write. The words came from God. It is the  same with all the writers of Scripture. God may have at times spoken the Word directly with writers writing them down much like taking dictation, but more times than not, God simply laid the words on their hearts and minds. The bottom line is that all Scripture is "God-breathed." It is God’s inspired Word, without error in the original autographs. It is intended to make us like Jesus.

In addition to leading us to salvation, the Word provides divine instruction or doctrine. The precise words are that it is "profitable for doctrine" (2 Tim. 3:16a) or "teaching" (NASB). "Profitable" carries the idea of "profit" or "advantage" (W.E. Vine, M.A., Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 36). It means specifically to be "useful" (Ibid, 901). So the word of God is profitable or useful for teaching doctrine. It is then up to us to adhere to that doctrine and to live by that teaching of Scripture. It is up to us to study the Word carefully to learn its doctrine or teaching, and then apply that instruction in our everyday lives.

Scripture is "profitable… for reproof" (2 Tim. 3:16b). The teaching of Scripture, the instruction or doctrine, helps us walk the narrow way of righteousness. It heads us in the right direction of becoming like Jesus. But sometimes we walk away from that path, like sheep that have gone astray. We fall back into our old sinful ways and quit living by the Word as we should. When this happens, the Scripture brings "reproof."

"Reproof" means "to convict" or "rebuke" (Ibid, 965). The Word rebukes sin and false belief. Scripture pinpoints the problem of sin in our lives. When you know the Word, various Scriptures will come to mind and will confront your sin. It will rebuke the sin in your life and call you back to Jesus. Scripture penetrates our heart and soul, and both exposes and rebukes our sin. It leads us to repentance and turns us back toward God when we have gone astray. That is another reason why it is so important to know the Word; to read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it.

Scripture is “profitable… for correction” (2 Tim. 3:16c). This is the only occurrence of this Greek word for “correction.” It literally means “a restoration to an upright or right state” (Ibid, 243). It is the idea of restoring something to its proper shape. The thought has to do with correction. Scripture corrects us of our wrongdoing or our straying off the narrow road, and puts us back on the right path.

When you accept Scripture's reproof and repent of your sin, Scripture then corrects your walk. When you leave the narrow way and stray from living by the Word, "reproof" is how Scripture stops you from following the wrong path and "correction" is how Scripture sets your feet back on the right path. Through confession and repentance you are restored to a right and proper state, a life of righteousness.

Scripture is also "profitable… for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16d) or "training in righteousness" (NASB). This refers to training a child or giving children instruction, "suggesting the broad idea of education" (Ibid, 185). The inspired word of God gives us instruction in living a life of righteousness, or a life that is holy. It trains us to walk with Jesus in the power of the Spirit.

The teaching of the Word puts us on the path of righteousness. The reproof and correction we receive from the Word stops us from wondering too far from that path and puts us back on that path of righteousness. Then the instruction of the Word keeps us on the straight and narrow path of righteousness. But in order for that to work, you must know the Word.

The purpose is "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (v. 17). God's Word makes you adequate. God's Word equips you to live a life of righteousness like Christ, a life filled with the good works "which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

Do you see how important it is to know the Word—to learn it well and to live by it every day? By way of application: read the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, and memorize the Word. Make it a part of you. Know it well. When you know the Word well, no matter what hardships or temptations arise, you will recall it when the time is right and you will be prepared to win the spiritual battle. Amen.

Walk in the Spirit

Paul prayed for His followers, including you and me, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:17-20).

Not only are we to live by that same faith through which we were saved, but we were saved by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. That mighty power of God is at work in us and we are to live our lives by that same power. Living by that same power means living by faith in Jesus and letting Him have control of your life; letting Him guide and direct your path so that you become more like Him every day.

To have Jesus guide and direct your path is to walk in the Spirit or to live the Spirit-filled life. Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). He also said, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 1:18). When you live the Spirit-filled life you find yourself growing daily in your spiritual walk. Each day you become a little bit more like Jesus.

To walk in the Spirit means spending time reading and studying the Bible every day, not because you have to, but because you want to. It becomes a desire or even a passion of yours as a child of God. When you are Spirit-filled, the central focus of your life will change. Your whole focus will center around the Lord Jesus and your main desire will be to want to get to know Him better. The main avenue for getting to know more about Jesus and to walk closer to Him is found in the word of God, the Bible; hence, spending time in the Word every day.

Following the death of Moses, God turned to Joshua and commissioned him in Moses' place. Part of what God told Joshua was this: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Josh. 1:8). This shows the importance of spending time in God's Word. Through His Word you receive guidance and direction in the way you should go. By following His Word you will be made to prosper and have success. Amen.

Be Holy!

It is God's desire that all who trust in Christ for salvation, all true believers, be holy. He even commands us to be holy. Peter writes, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Pet. 1:15-16). "Holy" is an interesting word. In New Testament Greek it means  "separated" or "to set apart to God," and can be translated "sanctify," just as "holiness" can be translated "sanctification" (W.E. Vine, M.A., Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 565).

When referring to God, He is seen as "the absolutely Holy One, in His purity, majesty and glory," whether used of the Father, as in these verses, or of the Son, or of the Spirit" (Ibid, 566). Often the word "holy" is used "of men in so far as they are devoted to God" and "is often presented in a way which involves Divine demands upon the conduct of believers" (Ibid). Here in 1 Peter 1:15, believers are called to cleanse themselves "from all defilement, forsaking sin, living a holy manner of life" (Ibid).

Hebrews 10:10 says, "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Having been sanctified in Christ, all believers are called "saints," or literally, "sanctified" or "holy ones" (Ibid, 1000). God calls all believers to this state of sainthood, or, more specifically, to sanctification. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul refers to believers as "those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints."

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to "pursue holiness." In Hebrews 12:14, he writes, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." "Holiness" or "sanctification" is something to be pursued. Sanctification is a process of growth. When you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you were saved, you were justified in God's eyes. When God looks at you He sees you through the lens of Jesus. He sees the blood of Christ which covers you and therefore, He sees you as holy or righteous.

Romans 4:3 says, "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'" This does not mean that our faith makes us righteous; that we have somehow arrived. No, it means only that our faith connects us with Christ in such a way that His righteousness is reckoned to us. Positionally, we are seen as righteous in Christ. Practically, we need to grow in faith each day so as to become more and more like Christ until we reach heaven fully righteous.

Having been saved by grace through faith, we must now learn to live by that same faith. Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Now when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ," what does that mean?

In Romans 6:3-4, Paul, speaking of baptism, said, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Baptism, being dipped under water and then raised back up out of the water, symbolizes our dying with Christ through our faith in Him and our rising with Him to a new life, a changed life.

Paul further clarifies: "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vv. 5-11).

"Our old man," our old sinful self, "was crucified with Him," that is, with Christ, setting us free from our slavery to sin. Having been "freed from sin," we are to live the resurrected life with Jesus. Like Jesus, the life we now live, we live to God. Again, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20b). Amen.

The Road Few Travel

Taking the road to salvation is not easy. The narrow way that leads to life abundant and life eternal, is difficult and it is a road few travel. God made you for a purpose: to have fellowship with the Lord Jesus. "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9). God wants us to know Him and be with Him. He made us for that purpose. Seek Him first above all else: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33).

Jesus is the narrow way that leads to life. Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). Through Jesus you can realize God's purpose for your life.

Man's problem: Sin. Fellowship with God is broken by sin: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Sin leads to destruction: "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23a). In sin you "sink in deep mire" (Ps. 69:2a). The more you struggle trying to reach God through your own efforts, the deeper you sink in the miry clay. Sin is such an affront to God; you can never be good enough to be saved. You cannot save yourself. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). Good works cannot save you. Salvation comes from God. Only by God's grace are you saved through faith.

God's solution: Jesus Christ. He shed His blood and died for us. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb. 9:22b, NIV). "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). Christ died for you and rose again for you. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried, and… He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3-4). All that Jesus went through, all that He suffered, was for you, for your salvation.

At the cross, Jesus shed His blood for you. He forgave you and lifted you out of the miry clay. He rose again and set your feet on the narrow way that leads to life with God. As David said, "He… brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps" (Ps. 40:2).

Man's response: Believe and receive Jesus. "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23b).  "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9). "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12a). Together, these verses tell us what you must do to be saved: (1) Confess your sin and repent—turn away from sin; (2) Confess Jesus as Lord and believe He rose again; and (3) Pray to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Here is a suggested prayer (you can use your own words): "Lord Jesus, forgive me of all my sin. I believe you died and rose again to give me new life. Come into my life and make me the person you want me to be. Amen."

God's blessing: Assurance of salvation. God promises eternal life to all who receive Him: "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11-13).

What happened when you received Christ? First, God lives in you to guide you: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Second, your sins are forgiven: "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14). Third, you are His child in fellowship with Him: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

What now? (1) Read the Bible and pray: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). (2) Tell others what Jesus means to you: "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8). (3) Worship at church regularly: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25). Amen.