Battles: The Weapon

Recent posts have examined the topic of spiritual battles, which are very real and very serious. They are waged against enemies too formidable for man to face or defeat on his own. Christians are blessed to be provided with armor from God to protect against the perilous attacks. The defensive pieces of armor give great confidence and assurance, but the Christian is not limited to being only on the defensive. The Christian also possesses a great offensive weapon to help in the battle.

"And [take] the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17b). The Word of God allows the believer to go on the attack. When used properly, Scripture can pierce right through a temptation of the flesh, leaving it wounded, struggling for air, contorted in pain, until it actually dies. When the devil comes with an attack, the Word of God can frighten and intimidate him until he runs away in defeat, forced to seek a better weapon or a more opportune moment.

The Bible can do these things because there is no other book like it. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as being "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword." No matter what the focus of the attack, the Bible has the answer; it also has the power to drive that answer home. This same verse reveals that the Bible has the ability to do what other sources cannot do: "piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The Bible can penetrate areas that earthly weapons cannot touch. The Bible gets right to the soul and spirit. It reaches the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In other words, the Bible is a spiritual book and is effective in the spiritual realm. This is important because the battle is a spiritual battle. It "is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12). In a battle that is beyond the physical, the believer needs a weapon that can fight effectively on the spiritual plane.

Like any soldier, the Christian needs to learn how to use his weapon so that it is effective. Certainly there is more to spiritual warfare than simply waving one's Bible in the air when he senses an attack. Jesus provided a demonstration during His own temptation, recorded in Matthew 4. Satan came to Jesus with three attacks that are specifically recorded. In each case Jesus quoted a verse of Scripture that was appropriate for the particular temptation.

John 3:16, for example, is a wonderful verse, but it is not the weapon particularly suited for every attack. The believer must familiarize himself with a variety of verses so that he has effective weapons for the varied attacks he faces. In temptations of long duration, the Christian may have time to search out a weapon or add to his arsenal, but in spontaneous attacks, he will be better able to achieve victory if his weapons have been prepared ahead of time. This is particularly true if the believer is aware of an area of recurring temptation. A few examples might be beneficial.

·         A mother plagued by worry about her children might keep this sword sharpened and at hand: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

·         A father who loses his job and fears being able to provide for his family might recall, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

·         A young lady who has realized her boyfriend is not walking with God but she believes herself incapable of breaking the relationship can thrust out with "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

·         A young Christian who faces discouragement and despair at ever reaching spiritual maturity can brandish "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

·         And an elderly Christian who quivers at the fear of death can boldly wave "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

The devil will cringe and flee when the right truth is presented to parry and repel his blows; additionally, the believer himself will be strengthened and stabilized as he remembers truth. The defensive armor is based on God's work and God's truth, and the believer needs to trust God and have confidence in that armor. The offensive weapon is also based on God's truth, and the believer needs to remember the truth so he can fight off the attack.

These attacks are very much centered in the battlefield of the mind. The victory comes when the mind is disciplined to think on the right truth. In speaking of spiritual warfare, II Corinthians 10:5 states, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." When the thoughts are brought into subjection, the believer is able not only to withstand the attacks, but also to fight back and win the victory. God's Word has that kind of power.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." II Corinthians 10:4 (NASB)