What Are The Christian’s Weapons of Warfare?
The Bible tells us that every Christian is consistently engaged in spiritual warfare. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4 the Christian is described as a “soldier of Christ” who is engaged in a war.
In Ephesians 6:12, Christians are reminded that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but instead we fight against spiritual forces of darkness.
The devil together with his demons is described as the enemy of God whose primary objective is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).
WHAT ARE THE DEVIL’S WEAPONS OF WARFARE?
The devil’s weapons of warfare include such tactics and techniques as:
a) Deception and temptation (Matthew 4:1-11; Genesis 3:1-13)
b) Encouraging the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)
c) Causing fear, doubt and confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Peter 5:8)
d) Idolatry, paganism and all forms of occultism (2 Chronicles 33:6)
e) Creating worldly philosophies & systems (Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
f) Creating false teachings and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
The devil is known as “the god of this world” who uses his own weapons of warfare to blind the world and to fight against Christian believers. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says: In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Therefore devil’s weapons of warfare are ultimately aimed at fighting against God and blinding people from having a relationship with Him through the knowledge and experience of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE CHRISTIAN’S WEAPONS OF WARFARE
However, God has also given the Christian believer some weapons of warfare so that he/she may be equipped against the attacks of the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NIV) says: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
According to 2 Corinthians 10:3, even though we live in the world, we do not war or fight our battles according to the principles of the world or according to our fleshly desires.
In other words, the Christian believer does not use the same deceptive or worldly tactics or techniques as the devil. Instead the Christian believer responds differently because according to verse 4, the Christians weapons of warfare have “divine power”.
So What Are The Christian’s Weapons of Warfare?
Ephesians 6:11-18 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:11-18 gives us an insight in relation to what our weapons of warfare consist of.
We are to wear the armour of God that we may be able to withstand the schemes and tactics of the devil.
The armour of God consists of the following virtues or principles that are necessary when engaged in spiritual warfare:
1) Speaking the truth and standing for the truth (verse 14)
2) Righteous living and standing for what is morally and spiritually right (verse 14)
3) Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ (verse 15)
4) Living by faith and not by sight (verse 16)
5) Being reminded of who you are in Christ because of the salvation you received because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (verse 17)
6) Knowledge of the word of God and living according to the Scriptures (verse 17)
7) Praying according to the will of God (verse 18)
Therefore whenever we are engaged in warfare and in our daily walk with God, we wear the armour of God by applying and living according to the 7 principles or virtues mentioned above.
Wearing the armour of God and using this armour is only possible through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In Galatians 5:16-25 we are told not to walk or live according to the desires of the flesh but we are to live according to the Holy Spirit who enables us to bear good fruit and overcome satanic deception.
Therefore whilst the devil may use carnal, deceitful and corrupt means to wage war, on the contrary the Holy Spirit will enable Christians to use Biblical principles to withstand the enemy.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S WEAPONS OF WARFARE?
According to 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 the weapons of the Christian’s warfare are useful for the following purpose:
1) For pulling down strongholds / destroying strongholds (verse 4)
2) For destroying arguments (verse 5)
3) For destroying every high thing or opinion that is raised against the knowledge and principles of God (verse 5)
4) For capturing every thought or idea so that it obeys Jesus Christ (verse 5)
5) For encouraging obedience to the things of God (verse 6)
Therefore whilst the devil’s weapons of warfare are meant to kill, steal, destroy and blind people from seeking a relationship with God through Jesus Christ – the weapons of warfare that the Christian has been given are meant to destroy the very tactics and schemes of the devil and instead promote obedience and a right relationship with God.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???
1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.
2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.
3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That 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” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.
4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God
Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?
We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.
PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and have decided to follow you. Thank you for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”
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