As children of God, we are constantly involved in warfare (battle). Even our redemption was secured for us by the Lord Jesus after overcoming in a battle. In fact, the Bible calls us soldiers of Christ (2 Tim.2:3-5). A person automatically becomes a soldier of Christ as soon as he gives His life to Christ, and untill he gets to heaven, the battle continues.
Since warfare is an inseparable part of our lives as Christians, it is therefore necessary for us to study Christian warfare in depth. This will enable us to get prepared for battle at all times and overcome the enemy each time we are engaged in a battle.
In this study, we shall be looking at:
1. Who we are fighting with.
2. The origin of our warfare.
3. War strategies of the enemy
4. What we must do in this warfare.
Who Are We Fighting With As Christian? (Who Is Our Enemy?)
1Pet. 5:8-9, Eph.6:12, Rev. 12:3-4, 9-10 Isa. 14: 12-17.
You can see from the above scriptures that neither human beings nor any other flesh and blood are our enemy (2Cor.10:3). Our enemy Is not anything physical. Our enemy is the Devil (Satan the Old serpent. The great dragon and the angels that fell with him called demons).These are spirit (unseen forces) using unseen weapons against us. They are not visible. Therefore for any man to be able to contend with, and overcome them, he must be equipped with spiritual (unseen) weapons also.
Origin of Christian Warfare
- Lucifer (Satan) sinned against God.
Ezek. 28:12-19, Isa. 14: 12-14.
- There was war in heaven and Satan was cast out into the earth with his angels. Rev. 12: 7-19,
- Since then, Satan always seeks to destroy man created by God whether a Christian or an unbellever and take him to hell. Ezek. 28: 13, Gen. 2:8, Gen. 3:1-5, 14-15 John 10:10; Peter 5:8, Matt 23:15
He also resist the work of God always (Zach 3:1;1Thess.2:18). The original battle was between God and His angels on one side, and Satan and his demons on the other side. Therefore anybody on the Lord’s side (children of God) is sure to have God’s blessing and backing against the devil. But if you are not born again, you are automatically on Satan’s side in his war against God whether you know it or not (Rom. 5:10). You cannot sit on the fence. You are either for God or against God. You cannot take a middie course. Whosoever commits sin is of the devil (1John 3:8). On whose side are you?
War Strategies of The Enemy
The enemy (Satan, the devil) uses many different strategies consistently to wage war against believers. Eph.6:11, 2Cor. 2:11.
A. He plans evil days for Christians. Eph 6:13, Eph 5:15.
B. He sends fiery darts (of fear and doubts) into our hearts in order to burn down whatever God is building In our lives. Eph.6:16. Psalm 11:1-4.
C. He builds strongholds in and against our lives as children of God. 2Cor. 10:4.
D. He sends evil Imaginations (arguments) into our minds. 2Cor. 10:5.
E. He brings proud thoughts into our minds. 2Cor. 10:5.
F. He threatens to devour Christians. 1Peter 5:8.
G. He deceives Christian in order to conceal (hide) his evil intentions. 2Cor. 11:13-14, Eph. 6:11.
H. He also devises cunny (crafty, clever) ways to make us fall into sin. James 1: 13-15, Gen. 3:1,
I. He seeks avenues and loopholes for attack. Job 1:6-12, Job 2:2-3 James 1:13- 15.
J. He accuses and discomfits the believer.Rev.12:10, Zach. 3: 1-4.
K. He uses persistence and he is also well organized in his attacks. He is a strong man over his household. Luke 4:13, Dan. 10:12, 13, Luke 11:17-26
Satan never gives up completely over a matter. Whenever he brings temptations and trials your way and by the grace of God you overcome him, he only leaves you for a season, not forever. He will still come back to see whether he can have another opportunity for attack in your life. He is never tired. He organizes series of strategies so that when one fails, he will try another. But in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ that loved us. The Lord of Host is on our side.
WHAT MUST WE DO IN THIS WARFARE?
A. We must know that the Lord Jesus has already overcome the devil on our behalf. 1Jn. 2:13, Col. 2:15, Rom.8:37.
B. We must rely on the blood of the lamb, with a clear word of our testimony. Rev. 12:11.
C. We must stand and not quit. Eph. 6:11, 13, 14, James 4:7, I Peter 5:9-10.
D. We must be watchful, cautious (circumspectful) and sober. 1 Peter 5:8, Eph.5:15-16, Matt. 26:41,
E. We must endure hardship and remain loyal and obedient to Jesus Christ our commanding officer. 2 Tim. 2:1-4, John 15:4-7, Eph.6:10.
F. Put on the whole Armour of God. Eph. 6: 11-17, Rom. 13:14, 2Cor. 10:3-4.
Conclusion
Christians are always engaged in a battle against Satan and his demons. It is a spiritual battle (not physical) and it has to be spiritually fought. You cannot use the energy or strategies of the flesh to fight the Lord’s battle, for the energy of the flesh will fail you.
However, God has made adequate provision for us always to win in this battle. We either war according to the rules of the battle and overcome, or use the energy of the flesh, and lose the battle and become a captive of the devil. You are either for God or against God. You can not sit on the fence. If you try to sit on the fence neither here or there, please note that God has already counted you out of His army (Rev.3:16) and automatically you become an enemy of God.
On whose side are you? If you are on the Lord’s side, then walk according to the rules of Christian warfare and you will have God backing you up. May God help you to arise and take your rightful position in this warfare in Jesus Name-Amen!
Living seed vol. 10 No. 3 Dec 2003
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