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For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
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The apostle Paul, a bond-servant of Christ, was a man whose life was all about love, peace and praise yet, without doubt, no man was likely ever more knowledgeable and expert in warfare than was he. More than Sun Tzu, von Clausewitz, Rommel or Patton—any of the famed warrior’s in history! And Paul learned it all through instruction from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!

That faithful brother, so wonderfully used by and for the Lord, certainly realized that we saints of God are engaged in warfare—spiritual warfare—which is far more life threatening than any of the natural wars throughout mankind’s history. Those can only kill the flesh while these spiritual battles can end eternal life! So Jesus would caution us saying, ‘Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ {Mat.10:28}

Which leads us to Paul’s admonition, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” {2 Tim.2:3-4} That was not just a word to Timothy, but to every child of God. John Milton (1608-1674) wrote that “they also serve who stand and wait.” He had been a dedicated student of God’s Word and may have been influenced to pen those words by Paul’s writing that each believer, every believer, has an essential part to play in the function of the body of Christ. {1Cor.12:6-12}

It is a true statement that whatever God chooses to call us to do He equips us to do. So, again like Paul, He has equipped us with everything we need to be victorious! It is not without reason that the Word declares that we are ‘more than conquers’ {Rom.8:37} as we face each day having put on the whole armor of God. {Eph.6:11-12} That is what we must do in order to have victory in this ongoing battle. A conflict not against men but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and not with worldly weapons, but with those that are divine.

It may seem right to many good and even godly saints to take up arms to battle evil but consider this! Peter did just that to ‘save’ Jesus that night in the garden when he drew and used his sword to ‘protect’ his Lord. Jesus healed Malchus, the injured man and told Peter to put away his sword saying for all who take up the (natural) sword shall perish by the sword. {Jn.18:10} The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God {Eph.6:17} makes that quite clear!

Love-Peace-Praise, walk in those three things and see what real spiritual warfare and real spiritual victory is all about when the Lord does the battle! Then you will be sure what God’s purpose in all of this is…the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart. {1Tim.1:5}

Here is the definitive teaching on true spiritual warfare:

“Sing to the LORD a new song, sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it. You islands and those who dwell on them. Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, the settlements where Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud, let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
… Let them give glory to the LORD, and declare His praise in the coastlands. The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” (Isaiah 42:10-13)

THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS