It’s Time for War!

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

In our comfortable, modern lives, it's easy to forget that we are engaged in an ongoing spiritual battle. As Christians, we are called not to passivity but to active warfare against the forces of darkness. The Apostle Paul makes this abundantly clear when he writes:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

This verse reminds us that our true enemies are not other people but spiritual forces of evil. The battle rages in the unseen realm, yet its effects are felt powerfully in our everyday lives. Many believers today have become spiritually complacent, unaware that they are targets in this cosmic conflict. It's time to wake up and recognise that we are at war!

The Enemy's Strategy

Our adversary, Satan, is described in Scripture as cunning and deceptive. Jesus Himself called him "a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44 KJV). The devil's primary strategy is to lull Christians into a false sense of security, making us believe that spiritual warfare is something metaphorical rather than real.

Peter warns us: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8 KJV)

The enemy's tactics are multifaceted:

• Deception: Planting lies and half-truths that distort our understanding of God's Word
• Distraction: Keeping us busy with trivial matters so we neglect our spiritual growth
• Division: Creating conflict within the body of Christ to weaken our collective witness
• Discouragement: Attempting to make us give up when facing trials
• Doubt: Questioning God's goodness, power, and love for us

These strategies are as old as the Garden of Eden, where Satan first questioned God's word: "Yea, hath God said...?" (Genesis 3:1 KJV). Yet they remain devastatingly effective when we are unprepared.

Our Marching Orders

God has not left us defenceless in this battle. In fact, He has commissioned us as soldiers in His army. Paul exhorts Timothy: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV)

As soldiers of Christ, we have clear marching orders:

1. Stand firm in faith: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV)
2. Advance the Kingdom: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12 KJV)
3. Rescue the perishing: "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 1:23 KJV)
4. Demolish strongholds: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV)

Our Spiritual Armoury

God has provided us with a complete set of spiritual armour for this battle. In Ephesians 6:13-18 (KJV), Paul details this divine equipment:

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..."

This armour is not optional. Each piece serves a vital function:

• The Belt of Truth: Holding everything together with the truth of God's Word
• The Breastplate of Righteousness: Protecting our hearts through righteous living
• Feet Fitted with the Gospel: Being ready to share the good news wherever we go
• The Shield of Faith: Deflecting the enemy's attacks through unwavering trust in God
• The Helmet of Salvation: Guarding our minds with the assurance of our redemption
• The Sword of the Spirit: Wielding God's Word as our offensive weapon

And prayer—constant, fervent, Spirit-led prayer—enables us to use this armour effectively.

The Battle for the Mind

Perhaps the most intense battlefield is the human mind. Satan seeks to influence our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. This is why Paul emphasises taking "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV).

The Psalmist recognised the importance of guarding the mind: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11 KJV)

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He countered each of Satan's attacks with Scripture, saying, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4,7,10 KJV). This models for us the power of God's Word as our defensive and offensive weapon.

The Necessity of Spiritual Disciplines

To be effective soldiers, we must train rigorously through spiritual disciplines:

Prayer: "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

Bible Study: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Fasting: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21 KJV)

Fellowship: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

These disciplines strengthen us for battle and keep our spiritual senses sharp.

Victory Assured

Despite the intensity of the battle, we fight from a position of victory, not for victory. Christ has already defeated Satan at the cross: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15 KJV)

We stand on this promise: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37 KJV)

The outcome of the war is certain, though individual battles may be fierce. John's vision in Revelation assures us of the final victory: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11 KJV)

The Call to Action

The time for spiritual passivity is over. We must recognise that we are in a war and take up our positions on the battlefield. This means:

1. Becoming intimately familiar with our spiritual weapons
2. Identifying and addressing strongholds in our own lives
3. Standing in the gap for others through intercessory prayer
4. Boldly advancing God's Kingdom through evangelism and discipleship
5. Joining with other believers for greater spiritual impact

As James exhorts: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 KJV)

The battle is NOW. The enemy is real. The stakes are eternal. It's time for war!

Will you take your place in God's army?

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognize the reality of spiritual warfare: We are in an actual battle against spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith and effectiveness.
2. Understand the enemy's tactics: Satan uses deception, distraction, division, discouragement, and doubt to weaken Christians.
3. Embrace your identity as a soldier of Christ: Stand firm, advance the Kingdom, rescue the perishing, and demolish strongholds.
4. Utilise the complete armour of God: Truth, righteousness, gospel readiness, faith, salvation, and God's Word are essential for spiritual protection.
5. Guard your mind: The battlefield of thoughts requires vigilance and the application of Scripture.
6. Practise spiritual disciplines: Prayer, Bible study, fasting, and fellowship prepare us for spiritual conflict.
7. Fight from victory, not for victory: Christ has already defeated Satan at the cross, assuring our ultimate triumph.
8. Take decisive action: Spiritual passivity is not an option—we must actively engage in the battle.