For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

We Are At War

Conflict has always been the blight of man. Wars have destroyed families, wrecked economies and brought down nations. Death is the prevalent consequence of war and there is never joy or happiness that comes with the mass confliction of men against men. Every generation endures the tragedy of war. Peace is a dream that will never be realized in the human experience because there will always be a despot who wants more power and hatred of others fuels the emotions of revenge and thirst for blood. Jesus did not come to take away war. He offered a solution to the problem but also gave the challenge that when peace is found there is another war to fight. The Son of God highlighted the reason for murder, wrath and hatred when He showed men the consequence of sin. Wars fought by men against one another come from revenge but when a person becomes a child of God another war takes places that comes from grace. Satan is the great adversary and he will seek every opportunity and advantage to kill the soul of man. His plan is simple – he attacks the heart of the Christian to fill it will evil, hatred, lust and corruption. Wars fought in the flesh have little consequence on the eternal scheme but battle for the eternal spirit of man has everlasting significance. Paul clearly shows that while a man walks in the flesh a greater battle awaits the life of those who follow the King of Kings.

The weapons of the spiritual war are not shaped with iron and steel but the courage and faith of the godly men and women who seek a crown of life. Satan is limited in what he can bring to bear upon the individual. With as much power the serpent of old possesses he cannot force anyone to do anything beyond their will. He suggests, consoles and tempts man with his flattering words but he cannot (and never has) forced anyone to do evil. The wiles of the devil suggest arguments that seek to elevate the wisdom of man above God through the activity of the mind. When Satan came to Eve in the garden he merely suggested the word of God should be challenged and that God was unfair in His limitations. Eve took of the fruit by her will as did Adam. Her disobedience was caused by the deception of the serpent and when Adam took of the fruit man fell from the grace of his Creator suffering the penalty of spiritual separation. Expelling man from the garden was another consequence of losing the battle to Satan. Jesus Christ came to restore the paradise of Eden to the soul of man offering the avenue of escape through the grace and love of the Father. But the war still rages.

As soldiers of Christ, the weapons used against the forces of evil are mighty in God. These instruments of righteousness can pull down the strongholds of lustful passions that fill the eyes and pleasure the flesh. Pride is broken when the sword of the Spirit attacks the arguments of unrighteousness. When the mind exalts itself against the glory of the one true God the battlements of truth engage in a fierce battle to destroy disobedience. Obedient followers of Christ will not allow the influences of the flesh to inhibit their spirit of fighting against the wiles of the devil. As valiant soldiers of the cross they will strongly suppress the evils of a corrupt mind. Every thought will be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This is a great war but one that must be fought. It will take all the courage a man and woman can muster. The greatest joy of fighting this war is knowing how the battles end. Reading the Revelation of John the soldiers of Christ sees Jesus riding on a white horse with the name KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS inscribed upon His thigh and a great army following the KING on white horses. Victory is assured and the saints of God gain the victory. This final battle has not been waged but the foretaste of victory is sweet to the senses. We are at war but we fought a war that was won two thousand years ago when God raised His Son from the dead. Praise God for His infinite wisdom and power and love to give all men His Son to overcome the evil one. Keep fighting. Victory will be realized through the grace of God.