[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] What Is Spiritual Warfare? <>

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] What Is Spiritual Warfare? <>
Date: 
Fri, 2 Mar 2012 04:53:53 -0500



What Is Spiritual Warfare?



Spiritual warfare exists in the unseen, supernatural dimension, where God
is all-powerful and Satan is in revolt. As any Christian soon discovers,
although spiritual warfare is unseen, it's absolutely real. The Bible
speaks of spiritual warfare in many places, but most directly in Ephesians
6:12, where Paul speaks of putting on the full armor of God: 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places." 

Spiritual Warfare: How Do We Go Into Battle as Christians? Spiritual
warfare is an image that many of us would rather reject. However, since the
Bible uses terms of warfare, it's best that we accept God's imagery, so
that we're properly prepared for real battle. As Christians, we're going
through more than a mere "struggle" on earth - and its seems that war
imagery captures this reality better than anything else. Since it's
warfare, God instructs Christians to use a very specific set of armor and
weapons in Ephesians 6:14-18: 

"Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of
God's righteousness. 15) For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the
Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16) In addition to all of
these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17) Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God. 18) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every
occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers
everywhere." 
God's list of weaponry is rather unique - these are "weapons of peace." 

Throughout the Bible, you will find examples of God's weaponry in action.
For instance, King Jehoshaphat sent out praise singers in front of his
soldiers to cause disarray among the enemy; Joshua used singing and
trumpets to bring down the great city of Jericho; and what better example
of using faith in battle than David fighting Goliath with a slingshot. Of
course, the lesson in all these examples (as in all spiritual warfare
today) is that it's only God who allows us to claim victory over evil!

 

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