Warfare Spirituality, The World, the Flesh, and the Devil

INTRODUCTION

There is a highly ordered spiritual world that exists between God and humans. The Old and New Testaments attest to this. There is a three-front conflict with the world, the flesh, and the Devil. We need to understand the nature of warfare better, as this is shaped by our worldview so that we have a clear strategy. The scriptures made it clear that Christians are in a spiritual conflict. Though the demon and worldly systems are external structures to believers, they operate by enticing the believer and providing opportunities for the flesh, which can sin within us. Therefore, there needs to be a system with a biblical perspective to deal with each barrier to spiritual growth.[1]

I. Warfare Spirituality

What is your worldview? Our worldview is based on our assumptions of what we believe reality is all about. All cultures may recognize the reality that is different from the reality of the modern worldview. A worldview can help to provide a logically coherent way of addressing aspects of reality. However, it may view spiritual aspects as unscientific and imaginary. Therefore, Western Christians see two tiers within their worldview as reality, but they often ignore the middle ground of religion and science. When they answer questions, they answer them in terms of God or theistic worldview and speak about the world in practical and naturalistic terms. Nevertheless, regardless of what culture or race you find yourself in, it does not deter the fact that we art in warfare. Furthermore, it is essential to understand that the warfare is real as Jesus spoke about a real devil who is the Father of lies (John 8:44).

II. Warfare is Real

The Reality of Warfare. For Christians to be victorious over the enemy, they need to rely on Christ, the risen Saviour, constantly. Our principle is to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). Our strength and victory are connected to Jesus! No Jesus, no victory! No Jesus, no strength to overcome the temptations of this life! Furthermore, the Christian has to be self-reliant upon his word, for Jesus declared, "the word that I speak to you they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). Furthermore, Christians need to depend on the Holy Spirit, who is our helper to fight against principalities and powers that are controlling the cosmos. This is where the armor of God comes in. The scripture says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Therefore, "As Christians, we could tend to forget about this battle. The world's pleasures or worries can numb us." [2] The key word is "wrestled," which refers to the battle that we have to face as Christ, though it is invisible. It is a symbolic speech that depicts Christians' struggle with evil forces. The world has forced our minds that it will be better and there is no evil. People have become inactive in the fight, thinking that spiritual warfare is not for us. However, Christians need to be on guard for the fight, and the battle is real.[3]

III. The Wrestling Match

Paul used the imagery of a wrestler active in sports rather than a soldier in battle. In ancient Greco-Roman times, they would have been very familiar with wrestling. Therefore, the apostle uses this analogy for his illustration. It is a close battle-hand-to-hand combat. This narrative reminds me of a vision that I received from the Lord. I found myself in a circle with other believers. The Bible was on the ground open, and Satan and I began to wrestle over the Bible. He did not want me to touch it to read it as all the truths for breakthrough, wisdom, and strength is in the Bible. Thus, he was trying to prevent me from reading. We were wrestling over the Bible.

The enemy is real. The Christian life is not a walk in the park. You need to fight against the enemy of your soul who wants to prevent you from reading the word of God through the busyness of life. The holy war is real. The battle is real. The battlefield is in mind, not on a literal battleground. It is a battle that desires our thoughts, our members within our bodies, and our hearts to yield fruits of unrighteousness rather than holiness. There are three avenues that the Devil wants to take control of.

IV. Warfare in Three Avenues

Jesus declared that the Son of God was manifested for this purpose, to destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8). The battle is still waging against Christians even though Christ had the victory. When Jesus sent the seventy disciples out, they came back and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning" (Luke 10:17-18). Though Christ won the victory, the battle is ongoing in the minds of Christians. Nevertheless, there is still a struggle in the minds of Christians in the world with the flesh and the Devil (Ephesians 2:2-3).[4]

(1) Warfare with the Flesh

The word 'flesh' may have different connotations. It may refer to the physical body as in Galatians 2:20 and Colossians 2:24. It may also refer to what Paul calls "the law of sin which is in my members." Paul state, "for I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members" (Romans 7: 22-23). Boa states that our soul is like a ship that has gone loose and is imperiled by the inward power of sin than the storms of the world and the Devil. The Christian, however, will be held accountable to the indwelling law of sin that infects the soul. The 'law of sin' is the central locus of our spiritual warfare.[5]

Spiritually, we are new creations that have been made new in Christ. Therefore, we are alive through our salvation to God because of Christ. However, our soulish desires and physical desires await a full redemption (Romans 8:23). Until such a time arises, the old man or the old nature can manifest itself and wage war against the life that Christ brought in us. The flesh that exudes the old appetite of greed, selfishness, memories, and bad habit can resurface at any time in us; as we are raging war from the inside of us between the Holy Spirit and the flesh and not the outside of us (Romans 7:22-23).[6]

DEEDS OF THE FLESH

Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-23). These are the manifestations of the flesh: Impurity, sensuality, immorality, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, carousing, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissensions, disputes, factions, and things like these. First, if one looks at the list, it begins with moral sins (impurity, immorality, sensuality); then the list moves on to religious sins (idolatry, sorcery), then the list concludes with social sins (drunkenness, carousing, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissensions, disputes, factions). [7]Now it is essential to see the contrast with the deeds of the Spirit. This is the deed available to all believers given by Jesus Christ by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within their members.

DEEDS OF THE SPIRIT

In contrast, there is a difference with the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ produces "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These attributes are not born from the flesh but only by the Spirit. Now, look at the contrast between the flesh and the Spirit.

CONTRAST BETWEEN FLESH AND THE SPIRIT

ü Rather than love, the flesh produces unforgiveness, hatred, rejection, and hostility.

ü Rather than joy in the Holy Ghost, the flesh produces bitterness, worry, resentment, despair, depression, insecurity, and worry.

ü Rather than having peace, the flesh produces discord, jealousy, strife, fear, and nervousness.

ü Rather than patience, the flesh produces impatience, intolerance, and restlessness.

ü Rather than having kindness, the flesh produces harshness, cruelty, and aggression.

ü Rather than goodness, the flesh produces wickedness, malice, and depravity.

ü Rather than faithfulness, the flesh produces disloyalty, infidelity, and dishonesty.

ü Rather than having gentleness, the flesh produces pride, cursing, and stubbornness.

ü Rather than having self-control, the flesh produces lust, rebellion, and gluttony.[8]

We can approach spiritual warfare with victory because of our union with Christ and the victory that Christ won on the cross. Therefore, Paul admonishes, "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16, 25). One can overcome the flesh by self-effort, not by self-resolution, by submitting to the rules of the Holy Spirit. If we fail to stop the flesh and submit to the dominion of the Holy Spirit, we will give in to the world and the Devil. This is how it works:

Temptation to Anger

1. Anger is a sin. "The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (James 1:20). This is about anger which leads to sin (Galatians 5:20).

2. The temptation to sin. Sin is below the dignity of a Christian in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7). I am not under sin's power (Romans 6:11; 8:12-14).

3. What is the correct way to think? Remember that God has a plan and a future for your life (Romans 8:28).

4. Tempted to be angry? Perhaps you have embraced the wrong thinking: Or unrealistic plans. If disappointments set in, it is not that you should not make plans, but do not allow your well-being to be dependent on the immaterialized plan.

5. The best way to view your life is to understand that God is in control.

6. The best way is to trust the Lord will all of your heart and lean not to your understanding (proverbs 3:5-6).

7. The method is to walk by the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).[9]

Sexual Temptation

(1) For sexual temptations: Repeat to yourself that there is no future in doing it as it will destroy your relationship with God, your spouse, your children, and your future; and discredit my ministry (1 Corinthians 6:18).

(2) Repeat to yourself: I will not degrade this person but treat them with respect, not as an object, but as a subject, a person.

(3) I will not allow the person's attractiveness to detract me but direct me to the praise and glory of God of her or his Creator.

(4) I am alive in Christ, and I am no longer under the influence of sin (Romans 6:11). As Boas states, "I am not a skinned wrapped package of glands but a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

(5) I will walk by the Spirit and will not carry out the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16; 2 Timothy 2:22).

(6) I will fix my eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).[10]

(2) Warfare with the World

In the New Testament, the word 'world' is used differently. For instance,

The word for 'world' in the New Testament is 'kosmos.' The word is used differently in each of the scriptures. For example, in John 3:16, the scripture says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In John 15:19, the scripture says, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Love is not the world nor the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

(3) Warfare with the Devil

Stand and resist. In Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul told us to resist the Devil, and he will flee from us. The problem is that not many Christians are resisting. Christians cannot resist the Devil if they are not wearing the whole armor of God. Paul admonishes the believer: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (v. 11). "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore" (Vv. 13– 14). The goal of Satan is to destroy our minds, wills, and faith. We aim to not give in to any, for not even a second! Brian Borgman states, "our goal is to resist his offers, stand against his overtures, renounce his appeals, and repudiate his accusations. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). "Resist him, steadfast in the faith" in the word, prayer, and worship (1 Peter 5:9).

Subsequently, only in Christ alone do we have the power to stand against the enemy. If we are going to stand against the enemy in our minds or ideological thoughts or strength, we will fall. Do not let the enemy get the upper hand. However, the Bible says if we sin, remember that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiator of our sins (1 John 2:1-2).

There is a hymn writer William Cowper says, for those who fail in Jesus' army, "There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners, plunged beneath the flood, Lose all their guilty stains."[11]

(V) Advance the Gospel of Peace

We stand against the enemy by standing, resisting, and proclaiming the gospel with prayer. Jesus declared that all authority had been given to him for us to go out and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Therefore, as we make disciples, at home or abroad, we declare the gospel of peace to deliver people from darkness into the glorious kingdom of his dear son (Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, we go with the gospel of peace on our feet along with prayer to proclaim the gospel.[12]

Questions for Practical Application

· What is your worldview concerning spiritual realities, such as the existence of demonic spirits? Are your beliefs biblical?

· Paul says our battle is not against flesh and blood. Describe a time when you may have forgotten this truth. What was the result?

· What ways can you help fellow believers take collectively and stand together in spiritual warfare?

· Describe a recent "evil day" in your life. Were you prepared? Where are you able to stand?[13]

Bibliography

Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical, Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation, Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.

Borgman, Brian, and Robert Ventura. Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective, Reformation Heritage Books, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central,

[1] Boa, Conformed to His Image, 325. [2] Borgman, Brian, and Robert Ventura. Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective, Reformation Heritage Books, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central. [3] Borgman, Spiritual Warfare, 77. [4]Boa, Conformed to his Image, 330. [5]Boa, Conformed to his Image, 330. [6] Ibid. [7] Ibid., 331. [8] Boa, Conformed to His Image, 331. [9] Boa, Conformed by His Image, 333. [10] Boa, Conformed to His Image, 334. [11] Borgman, Spiritual Warfare, 77. [12] Ibid. [13] Boa, Conformed to his image, 338.