THE CHRISTIAN’S FIGHTING METHOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE CHRISTIAN’S FIGHTING METHOD!

Memory verse: "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17 vs 14.) 

READ: Second Corinthians 10 vs 3 - 6:

10:3: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 

10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down stronghold, 

10:5: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, 

10:6: and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

INTIMATION:

Christians live in the world in a physical body. Though as ‘new creations’ in Christ, they are not of this world, but they are in this world (John 17 vs 14). God does not take them out of the world nor make them robots, they are still in the world and will be subject to influences in the world, even those caused by Satan and his agents. Therefore, they will still engage in battle of life but are assured of victory even before the battle. However, they are fighting not against the physical things of this world (flesh and blood), but against “principalities” and “power” (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil). 

In this world Christians must live in the physical bodies. However, this does not mean that their desires are directed toward satisfying the lusts of the flesh. Their warfare is spiritual, and thus, they fight a spiritual war with Satan, though they live in the flesh. The Christian is in a war with the deceptive beliefs of false philosophies and theologies of men, witchcraft, false science, false religions, and man’s ignorance of the truth. However, error is cast down when men seek truth. Though they live in the flesh as humans, and are merely weak humans, but they don’t need to use human plans and methods to win their battles. 

Since Christians’ battle is against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places, the weapons of their warfare are spiritual. The weapons are not physical—arms and ammunition—but the power and might of God’s armor embedded in His Word. The power of the Christian is strong against the works of Satan because the power of their weaponry originates from God, not man. 

God’s mighty weapons are available to Christians as they fight against Satan’s strongholds. The apostle Paul assures us that God’s mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are most powerful and infinitely effective (Ephesians 6 vs 13 - 16). These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with people’s proud arguments that keep them from a relationship with Christ, we may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God’s weapons. 

The Christian first put the truth of God in their hearts by believing and living the truth (Philippians 1 vs 27). They should do such in order that they be transformed into the strong character of Jesus, as well as being able to identify and stand against all that is error and morally wrong. Living the Will of God protects the vital spiritual life of the Christian, that is doing that what is right.

It is upon the foundation of the historical event of the gospel that Christians maintain emotional, mental and spiritual stability. It is the fact of the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection for our hope that we can have peace of mind and confidence that Jesus has all things under control for the sake of the Christian. The faith of the Christian functions as a shield to ward off the attacks of doubt, discouragement and despair. By increasing faith through study of the word of God, the Christian is able to stand against the deceptions of Satan. 

Every temptation that Satan may throw against the Christian can be stopped by truth that is learned through a study of God’s word. There is no power that Satan may have that can break through the armor of God that the Christian exercises in his life. The Christian can fight assuredly because of the assurance of their salvation that is based, not in their works, but in the grace of God through the cross. And Christians should maintain a lifestyle that lends itself to prayer. It’s through prayer that not only the inward man is strengthened, but also the work of God is called upon by the Christian to function in his life. 

The scripture in Hebrews 4 vs 12 says, "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." The Word of God is living, life-changing and dynamic as it works in us. It is living not in the book, not on the written page, but in the lips of the believer. Therefore, it is the spoken Word that commands the power of God. The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, is the only offensive and defensive weapon in God’s armor. With it you can defend yourself and attack the enemy at the same time. 

Jesus acted upon the Word of God. He used the Father's Words to defeat the adversary. Jesus showed the efficacy of the Word in His conquest of the adversary, the devil, when he tempted Him. His reply to Satan in all his temptations is, “It is written”; the written Word of God in the Scriptures. (Matthew 4 vs 1 - 11.) And when He has subdued him, by the Word, he left Him. If you want the adversary to stop the operation of his adverse activities of stealing, killing, and destroying in your life, engage him with the Word.

Satan is very conversant with the Word, and can still deceive you with it. He tried this trick on Jesus in his temptation, but was conquered. He quoted from the Scripture, Psalm 91 vs 11 - 12, to lure Him. But Jesus countered his quotation by putting it into the correct context of the general teaching of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6 vs 16). In this, Jesus gives us an example that Scripture must always be understood in the whole text of the theme of the Scriptures. Jesus affirmed that Psalm 91 vs 11 - 12 would be fulfilled according to God’s plan of work in His life, and not according Satan’s maneuvers. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You most gracious Lord, for Your unfailing armor made available to the believer. Give me the grace to effectively and efficiently take up Your whole armor in my battle against the adversary, and be assured of victory at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!