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Particulars
of Christianity:
311
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual
Warfare Part 2b
The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual
Warfare Part 1a: A Study of Demonic Activity
Spiritual
Warfare Part 1b: A Study of Demonic Activity
Spiritual
Warfare Part 2a: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual
Warfare Part 2b: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual
Warfare Part 2c: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual
Warfare Part 2d: The Spiritual Warfare of the Believer
Spiritual
Warfare P. 3a: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual
Warfare P. 3b: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual
Warfare P. 3c: Biblical/Historic View of Angels & Demons
Spiritual
Warfare Study Conclusions
Spiritual
Warfare Additional Quotes and Definitions
Point
No. 4
Studying the Word of God, learning, teaching, defending, and
implementing sound doctrine in refutation of false doctrine
is our principal act of spiritual warfare.
As we saw earlier, the natural state of sinful man is the
carnal mind or the sinful nature. Once we get saved we are
delivered from the carnal mind through Jesus' Christ's atoning
work. However, this deliverance from the carnal mind is not
immediate, but a process as Romans 12:2 states.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed (4964) to this
world: but be ye transformed (3339) by the renewing (342)
of your mind (3563), that ye may prove (1381) what [is]
that good (18), and acceptable (2101), and perfect (5046),
will of God
In Romans 12:2 we are told to not be conformed to the world,
which includes living our lives according to the wisdom of
the world and of the rulers of this world. In order to avoid
conforming to this world or "walking according to the course
of this world," we must renew our minds. This is consistent
with Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, which we looked
at earlier, where we are told to make our thoughts and imaginations
obedient to Christ. But how do we renew our minds? How do
leave behind this sinful mind and become Christ-like? The
answer is: with the knowledge of God.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which
is renewed (341) in the knowledge (1922) after the image
of him (1504) that created him:
We escape the pollution of this world through the knowledge
of God.
2 Peter 2:20 For if they have escaped (668) the
pollutions (3393) of the world (2889) through the knowledge
(1922) of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…
In fact, the New Testament repeatedly confirms that God desires
for us to come to this knowledge and that His goal for the
Church is that we come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity (1775)
of the faith (4102), and of the knowledge (1922) of the
Son of God, unto a perfect (5046) man, unto the measure
(3358) of the stature (2244) of the fulness (4138) of Christ
But how do we get the knowledge of God? From the Word of God.
Hebrews 5:12 For when by the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which be the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have
need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every
one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:
for he is a babe.14 But solid food is for the mature,
who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish
good from evil.
Notice that in Hebrews Paul speaks of those who are yet babies,
though he expected that they should have become mature by
then. And how does he describe such persons? Well, they lack
an understanding of the basic principles of God's Word. They
cannot understand the strong meat, but need milk. Then Paul
goes on to say that those who use milk are unskillful in the
word. But those who are mature, by contrast are skillful in
the Word and by constant use of it have trained themselves
to distinguish between good and evil.
Paul provides similar instructions in 2 Timothy 2.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study (4704) to shew (3936) thyself
approved (1384) unto God, a workman (2040) that needeth
not to be ashamed (422), rightly dividing (3718) the word
(3056) of truth (225)
So, then those who are mature in Christ are those who are
well trained in God's Word, who understand God's word and
are skillful in examining and teaching it, and who can distinguish
between good and evil. This includes the ability to discern
sound and unsound doctrine as Paul clearly states in Ephesians
4.
Ephesians 4:14 That we may be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
by the sleight (2940) of men, and cunning craftiness (3834),
whereby they lie in wait (3180) to deceive (4106)
Again, we can see here that the New Testament discussion of
these issues is very consistent. And from these passages we
can see that God expects Christians to progress from our unsaved,
carnally minded selves, to babes in Christ, to mature Christians
who are able to skillfully divide the Word of Truth and distinguish
sound doctrine from false doctrine.
There are many passages in the New Testament that stress continued
study of the scriptures in connection with the goal of developing
into a mature Christian. We have already looked at a few of
them above, but here are a few more, which comment on this
matter and the danger for Christians who do not continue to
devote themselves to the teaching of the Word.
1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak
unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal (4559),
even as unto babes in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning (3129), and never able
to come to the knowledge (1922) of the truth (225)
Matthew 15:6 Thus you nullify the word of God for the
sake of your tradition.
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching
for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 16:6 "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be
on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching
for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your
tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things
like that."
Matthew 22:29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because
you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
Mark 12:24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because
you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
The above list is by no means exhaustive, but is meant to
show the importance of gaining an understanding of God's Will
through a devotion to the Word. Clearly, their lack of understanding
of the scriptures was in no small measure responsible for
much of the Jewish leadership's rejection of Jesus as the
Messiah. By contrast we see that the New Testament indicates
that it is God's will that we not remain in ignorance or in
the error of our previous ways before we came to him, but
that we come to the knowledge of the truth. Likewise, we see
that this godly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding comes
from the Word and is essential to safeguarding ourselves from
the deception and plans of the enemy.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed (1820) for lack
of knowledge (1847)
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved
(4982), to come unto the knowledge (1922) of the truth (225)
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which
is renewed (341) in the knowledge (1922) after the image
of him (1504) that created him:
2 Peter 2:20 For if they have escaped (668) the
pollutions (3393) of the world (2889) through the knowledge
(1922) of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom
(4678) and revelation (602) in the knowledge (1922) of him:
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity (1775)
of the faith (4102), and of the knowledge (1922) of the
Son of God, unto a perfect (5046) man, unto the measure
(3358) of the stature (2244) of the fulness (4138) of Christ
We should note that the word knowledge that appears in 1 Timothy
2:4, Colossians 3:10, 2 Peter 2:20, Ephesians 1:17, and Ephesians
4:13 is the Greek word epignosis (1922), and it refers to
a precise and correct knowledge of God. It comes from the
Greek word epignosko (1921), which means to become thoroughly
acquainted with, to know thoroughly, to know accurately, know
well. From this we can see that it is crucial that God's people
pursue and come to a thorough understanding of God's Word
and that this pursuit is an essential part of the spiritual
warfare of the believer.
These verses parallel Jesus own remarks, recorded in John's
gospel.
John 14:21 He that hath (2192) my commandments (1785),
and keepeth (5083) them, he it is that loveth (25) me…23…if
a man love (25) me he will keep (5083) my words (3056)…24
he that loveth (25) me not keepeth (5083) not my sayings (3056)…
In this passage Jesus clearly teaches that those who love
him will keep his words and those who do not keep his words
don't really love him. The Greek word for "words" or "sayings"
in this passage is the word logos, which is used 39 times
in the New Testament to refer to the Word of God. The Greek
word for "keepeth" (5083) is "tereo," which means to attend
to carefully. This passage then is further support that studying
and being devoted to God's Word is a critical part of spiritual
warfare. We will cover this more momentarily when we take
a look at the armor of God.
The New Testament also instructs us regarding our minds, that
we should be sober, that is calm, collected, temperate, and
prudent. The word sober that appears in the passages below
is the Greek word nepho, and it means exactly that.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day,
be sober (3525), putting on (1746) the breastplate
(2382) of faith (4102) and love (26); and for an helmet (4030),
the hope (1680) of salvation (4991).
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore, gird up (328) the loins
(3751) of your mind (1271), be sober (3525)…
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand (1148):
be ye therefore sober (4993), and watch (3525) unto
prayer (4335)
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober (3525), be vigilant (1127);
because your adversary (476) the devil (1228), as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
From these four passages we can make four points. First, Ephesians
5:15 instructs us similarly.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk (4043) circumspectly
(199), not as fools (781), but as wise (4680)
The Greek word translated as circumspectly (199) is akribos.
It conveys precision. It means exactly, accurately, or diligently.
The word for walk is peripateo (4043), which in this case
means to progress, regulate one's life, to conduct oneself,
etc. Therefore, we are told to regulate our life in precision,
with accuracy, as the wise, and not as those who are not wise.
Second, while these verses instruct us to be sober-minded,
James 1:8 warns us about being double-minded.
James 1:8 A double minded (1374) man [is] unstable
(182) in all his ways (3598)
The Greek word for double-minded occurs only twice in the
New Testament, both cases occur in James' epistle. It is the
word dipsuchos (1374), which literally translates to double-minded,
but means wavering uncertain, doubting, or divided in interest.
So on the one hand we are told to be sober minded, prudent,
to study the scriptures so that we can rightly divide God's
word, distinguish between good and evil and so that we are
not tossed to and fro by every wave of new doctrine. And on
the other hand we are warned against being wavering, uncertain,
and doubtful in our understanding and acceptance of God's
word, and against having our interest divided between the
things of God and the things of this world.
Third, we should notice from these four passages Peter's explanation
that the reason we should be sober minded and vigilant is
in order to safeguard ourselves from the attacks and intentions
of the enemy. This means that these instructions regarding
being sober-minded are directly connected with the spiritual
warfare of the believer.
And fourth, we should also notice the mention of pieces of
armor in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 as well as Peter's instruction
to gird up the loins of our minds. These passages take us
into our discussion of the armor of God, which is presented
for us in the following four places.
The Armor of God
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at
hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armour of light.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that
ye may be able to stand against the wiles (3180) of the devil
12 For we wrestle (3823) not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities (746), powers (1849), against the rulers
(2888) of the darkness (4655) of this world (165), against
spiritual (4152) wickedness in high (2032) [places] 13 Wherefore
take unto you the whole armor (3833) of God, that ye may be
able to withstand (436) in the evil (4190) day, and having
done all, to stand (2476). 14 Stand (2476) therefore, having
your loins (3751) gird about (4024) with truth (225),
and having on the breastplate (2382) of righteousness (1343);
15 and your feet shod (5265) with the preparation (2091)
of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield
(2375) of faith (4102), wherewith ye shall be able to quench
(4570) the fiery (4448) darts of the wicked (4190). And
take the helmet (403) of salvation (4992), and the
sword (3162) of the Spirit, which is the word (4487) of God.
Praying always…
2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word (3056) of truth,
by the power of God, by the armor (3696) of righteousness
(1343) on the right hand and on the left
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day,
be sober (3525), putting on (1746) the breastplate (2382)
of faith (4102) and love (26); and for an helmet (4030),
the hope (1680) of salvation (4991).
From these passages we can learn a lot about this armor that
we are to put on as we engage in spiritual warfare. The most
important point that we can conclude is as follows:
Point No. 5
The Armor of God is a metaphorical reminder to walk uprightly,
prepared, in sound doctrine, in love, in hope, and in knowledge
of the truth. It is NOT some spiritual prayer gear that our
spirits dawn in heavenly realms where we sword fight with
fallen angels.
We can support this claim by first making a list of the apparel
mentioned in these passages.
Ephesians 6:14-15
1. Our loins are to be gird about with the truth.
2. The breastplate of righteousness.
3. Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel
of peace.
4. The shield of faith.
5. The helmet of salvation.
6. The sword of the spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
1. The breastplate of faith and love.
2. The helmet of the hope of salvation.
The first thing to notice about this list is that there is
some deviation and some redundancy. This is not hard to account
for if Paul is simply using the armor as a metaphorical device
to instruct the church about spiritual warfare. However, if
Paul is meaning to convey that these items are each real,
spiritual, battle gear that our spirits dawn as we combat
with angels in heavenly realms, then these deviations and
redundancies are difficult to explain.
For instance, if we assume that these items are all real,
spiritual battle gear, then we must wonder which breastplate
we are to wear, the breastplate of righteousness or the breastplate
of faith and love? How many breastplates are there? How many
do we need to wear? Will just one do or should we wear both?
Also, is the helmet a helmet of salvation or of the hope of
salvation? Additionally, while each of the other items of
armor have unique identification, both the breastplate and
the shield are described as being "of faith." If these are
meant to be understood as actual, spiritual battle gear, then
we must answer these questions for a soldier would not want
to enter the battle and engage the enemy until he has made
sure that he has appropriately prepared himself. If he will
need a radiation suit to protect him and he instead wears
a bio-chemical suit, he may surely die of radiation sickness.
Likewise, if we need righteousness as our breastplate and
we instead use faith and love, we may leave ourselves vulnerable
to the enemy's attack.
Now, if you feel we are being rather ridiculous in our argumentation
here you are correct. In fact, this was our intention. Our
point is that it is ridiculous, completely absurd, in fact
to consider such questions, which is why the spiritual armor
of God cannot be taken to be actual spiritual battle gear.
Instead, we must understand that the armor is meant as a metaphorical
device to remind and instruct Christians about how to be prepared
in spiritual warfare. That this is the case can be made clear
by taking a closer look at the apparel itself. Most of the
cases are a direct reference to some New Testament teaching
or instruction for the believer. We'll start with the "belt
of truth."
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