In the sacred realm of faith, the born-again Christian emerges as a new creation—washed in redemption’s crimson tide [2 Cor 5:17]. Purchased at an incalculable cost [1 Cor 6:20], their celestial passport stamped with the promise of eternity [Heb 11:6]. Yet paradoxically, within the earthly theater, they find themselves entrenched in relentless warfare [Eph 6:12].
One might envision a truce—a cessation of hostilities—as the believer matures. Alas, no such accord exists. This is a battle fought to the last breath, a ceaseless struggle that ensnares both novices and seasoned warriors alike.
Tongues, undoubtedly, arm the faithful, yet the trenches remain their abode. No one volunteers; it is intrinsic – a divine conscription. The day they pledge allegiance to the Lord Jesus, they unwittingly enlist in the ranks of the Army-Navy, the Seals, or the Marines. The adversary, indifferent to their choice, wages war relentlessly.
Heaven rejoices when a new soul embraces Christ [Luke 15:10]. Fellow believers shower them with love, especially within the hallowed halls of congregations. But as the fledgling Christian advances, they encounter an unexpected anti-climax—a fusillade of enemy fire. Sermons and communal worship suffice not; personal study reveals a different narrative.
Enter the Apostle Paul, the New Testament’s preeminent scribe. His words, succinct and potent, pierce the fog of celebration. In [2 Cor. 10:3-5], he unveils the spiritual battleground.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.”
Paul’s utterance, almost casual, conceals profound truths. Within this passage, he lays bare several critical facts—the anatomy of spiritual warfare, the arsenal of the faithful, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
1. We are in the World: We tread the earthly soil, yet our existence transcends mere physicality. We inhabit a realm where unseen forces clash – a cosmic theater where angels and demons vie for dominion.
2. Warriors at Dawn: We are not bystanders; we are combatants. The moment we embrace Christ, we enlist—an involuntary conscription into a ceaseless struggle. No exemptions, no neutrality.
3. Divine Arsenal: Our weaponry defies earthly craftsmanship. It gleams with celestial potency, forged in the fires of eternity. These are no mere trinkets; they are instruments of deliverance.
4. Engaging the Enemy: Our adversary, the devil, employs cunning stratagems. His arsenal: deception, discord, and doubt. Our battleground: not flesh and blood, but principalities and powers.
5. We fight to bring these arguments into the obedience of Christ
It’s quite a sobering realization. And if you are one not to build a doctrine from a single verse in the Bible, here is one more verse that will clear the doubt:
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle reiterates some of the facts he mentioned to the church at Corinth, and he also sheds light on the reality that we are at war.
1. We have armor. And we must put it on. It’s of no use to have the shining armor and not wear it.
2. We are being, and we will be attacked by the devil.
3. The devil uses schemes to attack
4. Again, we are not fighting against people, but evil authorities, powers.
5. He details the armor that we have for both defense and offence.
Paul mentions the same facts in some of his letters, like the first one he wrote to Timothy. But let us view it from other New Testament writers’ perspective.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” [1 Pet. 5:8-9]
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [James 4:7]
Apostles Peter and James, attuned to the spiritual currents, echo truths beyond Paul’s eloquence. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter conjures a familiar scene—a sentinel on watch duty. Picture it: a weary soldier, perhaps sipping spirits or succumbing to drowsiness. The outcome? Inevitable – death.
Peter’s exhortation resounds: “Be alert, be sober.” Implicitly, he unveils our reality—we dwell in a perpetual state of war. The fine print, overlooked by the novice believer, now confronts them. They grasp the armor—the celestial panoply—and discern their adversaries: arguments and the devil. But clarity eludes them. Are these two distinct foes? And why wage this unending war?
Answers diverge. Some deem it divine retribution—a penance for rebellion. Others, a cosmic duel between good and evil. Yet the enigma persists: Why does the battle endure? Two millennia post-Calvary, the faithful still grapple. The battlefield eludes sight, yet its echoes reverberate. Our strategy? Our leader?
The truth crystallizes: We fight not against flesh and blood, but against unseen principalities. Our battleground? The human heart—the theater of choices. Our strategy? The armor of God—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word. Our leader? The One who conquered death—the risen Christ.
And so, fellow soldier, stand firm. The war rages, but victory awaits the vigilant. The battlefield? Within, where thoughts clash and convictions collide. Our strategy? Unyielding faith, unwavering love. Our leader? The Alpha, the Omega—the eternal Captain of our souls.
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