Spiritual Warfare (Part 3)

Take the shield of faith.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Above all, take the shield of faith. We have already taken an in-depth look at faith so we won’t go back into understanding what faith is, but rather how it applies to our spiritual battles. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God[1], but we also must realize that without faith it is impossible to live out the Christian life for it is the defense of the believer.

The Roman soldier carried a wooden shield on their forearm. A wooden shield was adequate for defense and much lighter than a brass or iron shield. With this shield the soldier repelled attacks from the enemy’s sword, but they had a unique way of preparing for war. One of the tactics of warfare in the ancient world was to shoot flaming arrows at soldiers. These would set fire to the wood and cause serious problems for a soldier trying to focus on the battle at hand. In preparation for battle, the Romans would soak their shields in water so that when the flaming arrows would hit, they were immediately quenched.

As Christians we have to realize that the enemy will attack and if we are unprepared we will find ourselves on the defensive very quickly. Just think about the soldier that is partially equipped. They may repel the flaming dart, but when their shield is on fire, they are being attacked by an enemy with a sword and the battle is raging on every side, they will quickly be overwhelmed and would likely seek a way to retreat. In your Christian walk, have you ever felt like you were being hit from all directions? Most people can stand with confidence when they are facing one issue or problem, but it is hard to fight a battle while a fire is raging and attacks are coming in from many directions. It is hard to fight a battle when your shield is on fire. When we feel overwhelmed we want to retreat and surrender to defeat.

Faith is our shield that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy. The battle still rages, but faith gives us the confidence that our foot cannot be taken for we stand upon the strength of God and are assured that all things are by His hand. Most have heard that all things work together for the good of the Christian, but let us look at the passage this comes from in its context so we can see how it applies to our shield of faith. Look at Romans 8:27-31

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

The main point being communicated is that we as Christians can have the confidence that nothing can be against us if we are walking in the path God has preordained for us to walk in. Even when it seems hopeless, we can stand upon the confidence that if God is for us, who can be against us? If we stand upon our faith, we will conform to the image of Christ and grow into spiritual maturity; we will accomplish God’s purpose for our lives; we will stand upon the assurance that all things are good if we are walking according to God’s will. This is true even concerning the things that appear to be bad news. There are no tragedies in the Christian life for what is lost in this temporary life is gain in our eternal life. It is hard to grasp that eternal perspective, but it is necessary. Why do we measure our life and success based on something that will pass away rather than what can never be lost? Nothing that is seen with human eyes is eternal[2]. Only by faith can we see beyond our life in this world and understand what is eternal. This is the difference between someone who stands by faith and someone who is swept away by tribulation. Look at this wonderful passage in Psalm 112:5-9

⁵ A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. ⁶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. ⁷ He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. ⁸ His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. ⁹ He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

The good man is the one who carries the righteousness of Christ. Goodness is by the fruit of the Spirit[3] and is imparted by God into the lives of those who walk in the Spirit. That person will not be shaken for their confidence is the Lord and He is their trust. When evil tidings come, that person will remain steadfast for faith quenches our human fear and instead puts our hope in the Lord. By faith our heart is established. This is why we must put on the shield of faith. If your heart is not already established, tribulation will blindside you like an overwhelming enemy. Everyone stands firm when life is smaller than our abilities; however, only the one whose heart is established and safely trusts in the Lord will stand steadfast when fear arises and will not be afraid when evil tidings come. Knowing the scriptures has little value until it is founded upon faith. Look at Hebrews 4:

² For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

This passage in Hebrews is looking back to the Children of Israel as they journeyed to the Promised Land. They were taught the word of God but did not stand by faith. God led them to the River of Jordan but did not allow them to pass over until God tested their faith. God delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt where they were slaves, delivered them from the army of Pharaoh that was sent to destroy them, they passed over the Red Sea, received manna from heaven, water from a rock and saw many wonders of God. None of this required faith, but to receive the promise of God they had to receive it by faith.

God had them appoint one man for each tribe and then sent these twelve men into the land to bring back a report to the people. They returned and testified that everything God told them about the land was true: it was a pleasant land, flowing with milk and honey. They even brought back fruit from the land to show the people. However, along with the fruit, they brought back an evil report. The land was filled with fortified cities and inhabitants that were stronger than Israel. They even stated, “We saw ourselves as grasshoppers in our own sight and in their sight”[4]. At this word, the people rebelled against the Lord and refused to follow His leading hand for their confidence was in their own power and not in the word of the Lord. They had the word of God, but they did not receive it by faith and therefore were not allowed to receive the promise of God. Without faith, the word of God did not benefit the ancient people of God and the same applies to us today. Without faith we cannot benefit from the promises of God or receive the victory that God has promised.

Faith puts our confidence in the Lord and His plan. We prepare our heart through the word and apply that word to our lives by faith as we believe God and trust in His ways. This is critical for equipping ourselves for the Spiritual warfare in our midst. Look at this important passage in Psalm 37:31-34

³¹ The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. ³² The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. ³³ The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. ³⁴ Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

It is amazing how many times the foundational principles established for us begin with the word of God in our lives. It is possible to have the word of God and not have faith, but it is not possible to have faith without being rooted in the word of God. When you are established on the word of God, you will not slip for it becomes your guide and as the Lord gives you understanding you will see the path God is leading you to follow[5]. By faith we follow God and experience His goodness. Those who have no faith are constantly wandering without having any understanding of where they are going or why life happens. Consider this passage from Psalm 32:8-10

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. ⁹ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. ¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

The Lord has all your ways planned out and knows the way through any circumstance. The Lord has also promised that all things create good in the life of those who walk according to His purpose. Faith guides us so that we are led by the Spirit of God and causes us to willingly go where God is leading because we trust Him. Those without faith are like bridled mules which never understand where they are going or why God is doing something in their life. The Bible tells us that man plans his way in his heart, but the Lord directs our steps[6]. What seems right to us may not be right. We only see our immediate circumstances and we make our plans based on very limited information. If we only had our own ways as our direction, we would never go into hardship and we would never make a decision that benefited us beyond what we could see or anticipate. God sees the end from the beginning and He knows how to shape our lives, our character and lead us to the end of our faith which is the salvation of our souls[7]. He shakes the things that are earthly so that only what is eternal will remain[8]. The ultimate goal for God’s work in our lives is that we glorify God and inherit this promise from Revelation 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Do you believe this? The enemy’s goal is to lead you away from this promise through distractions, unbelief and fear; however, above all things, take up the shield of faith so that you can quench the fiery darts of the wicked. This is the first step in overcoming and overcoming is what spiritual warfare is all about.

Put on the helmet of salvation.

The helmet of a soldier’s armor protects the head. In the same way, the helmet of salvation is God’s protection for our head (our mind and thoughts). Without confidence in our salvation, fear and doubt are inevitable and when the enemy can get in our head to overthrow our confidence we will be easily defeated; however, the Christian has security through our faith in Christ. Have you ever doubted your salvation? Most people have at one time or another. The only time we struggle with doubt is when we are not walking in an abiding relationship with our Lord. Anyone who lives contrary to the word of God has little more confidence in their salvation than the one who has never professed faith in Christ. Look at 1 John 2:3-6

³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Compare this to 1 John 5:13

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.

These things have been written in the scriptures so that we may know for certain that we have eternal life and will then have the confidence that we are in Him, He in us and that He is directing our steps into His perfect will. When individuals in the church of Corinth were unrepentant and practicing sin, they were instructed to examine themselves to see if they were truly in the faith[9]. In fact, they were told to prove themselves. The word prove means to test or examine to see if something is genuine. To prove ourselves, we must examine our lives under the light of scripture for it alone reveals what is true and what is false. To prove something we must take what is authentic or known to be true and compare it to what is in question. You and I are not a good source for truth. We cannot examine our own lives merely by our own standards for we are warned not to lean upon our own understanding[10]. The way of testing is revealed in this passage from Jeremiah 17:9-10

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? ¹⁰ I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Our hearts are deceitful for if it is drawing from the flesh, we will always try to find a way to justify what our flesh desires. In recent memory, two well known Christian singers have committed adultery, left their spouses and publicly sinned unrepentantly. Both justified their actions and one even stated that she knew it was of God because she felt good about her new romance. These are not unique examples for many preachers of the word and those who claim the name of Jesus sin blatantly against the Lord and see nothing wrong. How can seemingly good people sin without remorse? They are following their own hearts and the Bible warns that anyone who trusts in their own heart is a fool[11].

As we approach the last days, this problem will become more and more rampant as man becomes the standard of truth rather than the word of God. When ‘I’ am the source of determining right from wrong, I am on very dangerous ground. When I am looking at a leader as a source for truth, I am on very dangerous ground. We are told in the Bible that the head of every man is Jesus Christ[12] and that we have the power to be taught by the Holy Spirit to understand the truth given in the scriptures[13]. You are equipped by God through the word. Let’s look again at a passage we examined earlier in this study from 2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The word of God is what thoroughly equips us for every good work. Do not overlook the magnitude of this statement. There is nothing in the Christian life that you will lack if you study and apply the word of God as you walk by faith. We also have the promise that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of God[14]. The doctrine of scriptures gives us the knowledge of God. Doctrine without understanding has little value, but the Lord gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding[15]. Many will say that the word of God is hard to understand. It should be for it is spiritually discerned. Almost anyone can grasp the simplicity of the message of salvation if they are willing to receive it, but the deeper things of the gospel are discovered by those who seek and apply the word to their life. The Bible says that knowledge is easy to those who have understanding[16] and since it is the Lord that gives understanding, there must be a time of seeking the Lord. The word of God is a field of treasures and these eternal riches are only found by those who seek the Lord through His word.

The word of God is the source of all truth, the measurement of all truth, the way we test all things, and it divides what is false from what is right in God’s sight. Look at Hebrews 4:12

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We know that all the ways of man are right in his own eyes, but the Lord tests the heart[17]. The word of God is the test of all things for it alone can divide the thoughts and intents of the heart and separate what is man centered from what is of God. The Christian life is confusing only when the teachings of men are imposed upon biblical doctrine and we will all easily go astray if we are trying to determine truth by any standard other than the Bible. There are many competing voices out there and many try to either make the word of God too complicated for the common man or try to make the Bible appear irrelevant or outdated. However, we are warned not to depart from the simplicity of the gospel and Jesus said that even heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will never pass away[18]. Jesus also stated that the word will be our judge on the last day when we all stand before God[19]. Since the word will be our judge after this life is over, we know that it must also be the source of truth and what we use to judge what is right and wrong during this life. People may claim to have a new doctrine from God and we indeed hope they do hear from God; however, the prophets are subject to the prophets[20] and what is taught must agree with what has already been delivered[21].

Many throw around the name of Jesus and even justify their doctrines by claiming that the Bible says that anyone who confesses the name of Jesus can only do so by the Spirit of God; however, the Bible also warns that it must be the same Jesus as revealed in scripture. We are warned not to receive anyone who comes and preaches another Jesus. To recreate Jesus into a man-made god is not Jesus. The new Jesus preached by many does not challenge us to live godly lives. A false Jesus will never ask you to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him. A false Jesus will make good works something of man rather than the work of the Spirit within us. A false Jesus promises to fulfill your fleshly desires, but the Jesus of scripture calls for you to lay down all, follow Him and trust the Lord for the promise yet to be revealed.

A false Jesus cannot save and any Christian who gets sidetracked from the Lord to follow another gospel cannot have confidence in their salvation. The helmet of salvation is the confidence in the word of God and the assurance in the salvation He gives. Only then can we have the boldness to walk by faith even during the difficulties of life and even when our lives may be in peril. Consider Hebrews 2:14-15

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Have you ever read the ‘Foxe’s Book of Martyrs’? How is it that so many godly men and women boldly went to their deaths and even joyfully endured persecution and execution? Because when we have the helmet of salvation, we are no longer held by the bondage of a temporal life in the flesh, but look joyfully ahead to the promise that will be delivered when Jesus returns or we go to Him by our death. There is no such thing as an untimely death of any who truly walk in the Spirit by faith. When we know we are in the will of God and are walking in the salvation of the Lord there is nothing that can move us. Let’s now look at Jeremiah 17:7-8

⁷ Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. ⁸ For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

This is a byproduct of the helmet of salvation. The helmet of salvation is our trust in the Lord for His salvation. Salvation is not only our eternal life, but the hand of God working in our daily lives to deliver us from anything that does not accomplish His work and our good. The Lord not only delivers us from our sins, but we also have the absolute confidence that His hand controls every situation in our life. Consider this passage from Psalm 34:7-10

⁷ The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. ⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. ⁹ O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. ¹⁰ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

This promise is to those who put on the whole armor of God by walking in faith and obedience. When we are walking contrary to His will, we can never have the confidence that all things are from God. When threatening circumstances arise in your life, do you have to return to the Lord in order to seek deliverance? Those who are walking in the Spirit have put on the helmet of salvation and even though a problem may be fearful, they can still stand in confidence knowing that the Lord will not allow their faith to be overthrown nor will He allow hardships without salvation. This is also explained in Psalm 37:38-40

³⁸ But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. ³⁹ But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. ⁴⁰ And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Deliverance is from the Lord and those who have the helmet of salvation will not be overcome by anxiety when trouble comes, but the Lord will be their confidence. Boldness is to those who are weak but have made the Lord their foundation and rock. When we are walking by faith in an abiding relationship with the Lord we will have assurance of salvation for we know that we are in Him and He in us.

Sword of the Spirit.

The Bible tells us that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Much about the word of God has already been discussed in earlier sections such as the importance of sound doctrine and the importance of being grounded in the word. Before moving on it is necessary to stress the importance of the word in our daily lives. The word of God is specifically mentioned in our instructions to put on the whole armor of God for without it, a Christian soldier is not equipped. The word of God is both a defensive and offensive weapon. If you take care to see it you will notice that the scriptures constantly stress the word as our foundation for everything we do and everything we stand upon. The word of God truly is our defense. Look at Psalm 119:114-117, 133-134

¹¹⁴ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. ¹¹⁵ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. ¹¹⁶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. ¹¹⁷ Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

…

¹³³ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Keeping the word truly is a defense for us. We discussed this earlier but it is good to revisit the topic of how God uses His word in our lives. Human nature reacts contrary to the Spirit for our flesh stands upon a weak foundation and has a flawed perspective. We already know that the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds[22]. When the wicked man seeks to oppress or evil doers rise up to threaten us, we are immediately drawn by the flesh, but we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit. The Bible warns us not to give ourselves to wrath nor to avenge ourselves, but trust in the Lord for our deliverance for He alone has the right to vengeance[23]. When someone wrongs us, our flesh wants to retaliate. When wicked men rule, our flesh wants to battle in the flesh in a vain hope to overcome.

God’s ways are higher than man and the call of God is completely foolish to the human mind. Our human minds naturally approach conflict from a flawed perspective for the flesh can only draw from a selfish point of view. Why do we become bitter? Why do we rage? Why do we retaliate and war against one another? Anyone who has been in church for any length of time knows that wars in the church can be just as bitter and even more so than outside the church. When God’s people walk according to the flesh, they cannot please God but will fall into sin and then under condemnation. However, from the perspective of human nature, putting someone in their place is acceptable. I have seen people fight over the most petty things claiming that ‘it is the principle of the matter’ that they are fighting over. In truth the war is the result of human nature being allowed to dominate our lives. The flesh desires to rule and not to let someone get away with hurting our pride. We call it principle, but what are the principles we are standing upon? It isn’t scriptural principles but rather the desire to gratify the flesh.

We are called to let God fight our battles for He only has the right to avenge. We are called to action but that action is not revenge. We are called to forgive, do good, pray for enemies and seek the Lord’s will through the word. If you follow the word, it will appear foolish to the fleshly mind because the flesh cannot see that it is God who intervenes after we have been tried and proven faithful. The promise is that God will be our refuge and hiding place because we have hoped in His word. God upholds us and becomes our safety because we keep His word continually. God does not allow our enemies to have dominion over us because we have kept the Lord’s precepts in His word.

The battle is not yours and it is not for you to win the victory; you must submit to the Lord and He intervenes or leads you to the path of blessing. If you do not continually equip yourself through the word you will not stand by faith when the battle rages. Most will cast aside the word and then fight the flesh in their own flesh; then the wars and fighting among the church begins. You will never see someone who is walking in the Spirit and obeying the word involved in a selfish battle in the church. The devil uses many devises to draw you in the flesh and once you depart from a spiritual walk to war in the flesh the battle is already lost even if you win the dispute. Most battles are not men and women standing upon godly principles against evil, but selfish people whose pride will not allow them to compromise even when the dispute has no eternal significance. Look at Proverbs 28:

²⁵ He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.

Pride is the root cause behind most of the strife we encounter. There will be times when conflict is necessary, but the Christian must stay focused on the word and their obedience to the Lord. Consider these two passages:

Proverbs 28:⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Romans 16:¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

When the godly enter into contention, notice the focus remains on the word of God. False doctrine will enter the church. When the apostle Paul left the church of Ephesus he warned that after his departure wolves would arise in the church to teach false doctrine and draw disciples after themselves. He warned them for years to be on guard against this and upon his departure he again warned them to watch for these false teachers. All the apostles contended with false teachers and instructed the church to stand against this as well. If you stand upon the word, those who forsake the word will cause divisions and will contend against those who keep the word. They are fighting from the flesh but the believer must stand upon the word and not allow themselves to get drawn into the flesh. The faithful man or woman will be called divisive when they refuse to become a disciple of the ‘new movements’ that come into the church; however, the Bible says that division is caused by those who do not hold to the teachings of the scriptures.

The war is not ‘us against them’ but the word of God against the errors that challenge what God has declared to be true. We get a glimpse of this when Satan sought to contend with Michael the Archangel. Michael did not rail against Satan or accuse him but instead stated, “The Lord rebuke you”[24]. The book of Jude points to this event as an instruction for us in the church. Most who argue try to find something by which to accuse the other but when we do so we have already stepped out of God’s will regardless of how guilty the other may be. We should point to the word of God and allow God to rebuke the doctrine or sinful action. If we are accused, we should point to the word of God and allow it to rebuke the doctrine or sinful action. Let’s look again at 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Sword of the Spirit is the word of God and it fights the battle. The word not only instructs and teaches, but also rebukes and corrects what is in error. Our ultimate goal is to prevent error from taking root in the church and draw disciples away from truth, but we are also seeking the reconciliation of the one in error. The apostles taught that God had committed them to the ministry of reconciliation and that they were pleading with others to be reconciled to God[25]. There are two other passages I would like to present that applies to our use of the sword of the Spirit. First look at Titus 3:9-11

⁹ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ¹⁰ A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; ¹¹ Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

This is something I had to learn the hard way in my own life. At one time I considered myself an apologist and studied hard to equip myself to present effective arguments against evolution and false doctrine. While it is beneficial to know these things, I eventually learned that no one comes to Christ because they are defeated in a debate. In fact, neither side will admit losing a debate. I didn’t mind making people angry as long as I felt I was right, but what I later realized is that making others angry only caused them to entrench themselves behind their defenses and react with hostility each time there was an attempt to present the truth. Lobbing truth like hand grenades rarely if ever blast through someone’s stubborn position. Sometimes we must present the truth and then leave off contending as we pray for that person. It is the Lord who must soften the heart, illuminate the spiritual eyes, and bring down the strongholds that keep others in bondage to error.

According to scripture, we should avoid arguing over words, rules and anything that does not profit our walk of faith. If we explain the truth of the scriptures and they continue to reject it, we are instructed to turn away and leave off this contention. This does not mean we allow them to teach error, but it does mean that endless arguing has no value in the church. In fact, arguing about worthless things leads us into ungodliness. This brings us to the second passage I would like to examine. Look at 2 Timothy 2:14-16

¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. ¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Clearly we are instructed not to argue about words and petty things but rather to commit ourselves to studying the word so that we can rightly divide the truth. It is an unfortunate reality of human existence, but you cannot escape human nature. Human nature is not blocked by the church doors and you will come across those who are hard to deal with. If you teach or preach you will eventually come across someone who will try to make themselves look intellectual by trying to tear you down. Hypocrites are found in every area of life and the church is not exempt from this. In fact, the problem is amplified in the church because there is an expectation that church members should walk by a higher standard. This is not always the case and it is not unique to this era that we now live in. As you read the epistles written by the apostles you will see that they constantly had to fight against some of the same problems we experience in our churches today.

The apostle John indicated that one of the churches he founded was taken over by a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes loved power and prestige and exalted himself over the church. He refused to allow the apostles to write to the church, visit the church and he cast out any member of the church that had contact with the brethren who associated with the apostles. We see similar things today and if we allow it to go unchallenged fleshly minded people will exalt themselves and try to take over the church. We contend, but not in the flesh. As we keep the word in our own lives, God is our defense to protect us and God is our warrior that can cast down any stronghold. The word seems weak against the enemies of God when we look from human eyes; however, it is the power of God for He has the power to overcome the mighty through those who are weak. The battle is the Lords and we overcome by submitting to Him. Those who stand by might have no power to stand before the word of the Lord. Look at Psalm 20:6-8

⁶ Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Finally, look at Zechariah 4:6b

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

This is the sword of the Spirit. Your might is not the strength of your battle. You stand upon the word and He accomplishes the work by His Spirit. When all is said and done, nothing will stand that is not upheld by the word of God’s power.

Eddie Snipes

Exchanged Life Outreach

http://www.exchangedlife.com

<<Click Here to Sign up for Weekly Messages>>

Return to the Bible Studies Page