The Reality of War
On several occasions in the Old Testament, God led His people into warfare. God’s purpose is for us is to accept His Word as truth as we are engaged in Spiritual warfare whether we know it or not. We are born into the kingdom of God, and therefore we need to be instructed in the Scriptures. We must grow in the Word of God and not dwell on one area alone but continue to go to perfection. God wants his Warriors to be strong, wear the armour and fight like true men of God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according in the flesh…for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal…” 1 Timothy 1:18. It is only through faith that we can hear, see and conquer this enemy as it is in the spiritual realm. Unless you allow yourself to yield in the spirit, you will not know that you are being attacked. Revelation 12:7, “and there was war in heaven”, not only are we engaged in this warfare, but so are God’s angels. In Daniel 10, we see how he persevered in prayer and fasting for 21 days until he got an answer. We must understand that we have to stand against the enemy because, in war, one side wins and the other loses, there is no retreat, or neutral ground, Ephesians 6:10. Revelations 13:7 – “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them”. Rev 19:19 – Satan fights against Jesus, Lord of Lords, therefore he will not hesitate to fight against us. We, therefore, need to understand how to fight in the spirit, putting on the full armour of God. 2 Timothy 2:1-4, “Be strong in the grace that is Christ Jesus…endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave and strong…” God will stand with those who have a broken and contrite spirit, people who have submitted to the Word and Spirit of God.
The God of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not but also attempts to blind the minds of God’s children, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4. These are Christians that don’t believe in the supernatural realm, fallen angels, evil etc. However, physical manifestations occur due to this spiritual warfare, but they are not aware because Satan keeps them in the ‘sense’ realm, hung up on money, etc. Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to be strong through God and the power of His might, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but the rulers of the darkness of this world. Since Lucifer’s fall from God’s grace, see Ezekiel 28:12-19 & Isaiah 14:12-15, he has been the adversary of both God and man, very cunning, with a great company of fallen creations known in the Bible as despotisms, demon spirits and fallen angels which do his bidding.
Demons are disembodied spirits that are always looking for an opening to enter into men and exercise their wickedness, and they take control of men’s bodies and minds. They enter through witchcraft, sorcerers, psychics, drugs, alcohol and only through repentance and the Spirit of God can men be set free. In Luke 11:14-26, the man was released from a dumb spirit because Jesus identified it and commanded it to leave. Jesus says, “he who is not with Me is against Me”, there is no neutral ground, we have to be committed to the Lord as we are in a constant battle. The counterfeit God of this world wants to inhabit our bodies; however, our bodies are meant to be the house of God, filled with Jesus and the Word. In verse 24, the evil spirit returns if the body is not filled with the Spirit of God. Therefore, if the person is rid of demons and does not seek/serve God and is not filled with the Holy Spirit, he will be repossessed with seven more wicked demons and worse than before. When a man turns away from a holy commandment of God, the Bible says that it is better for him to have not known the way of righteousness in the first place.
The range of Satan’s activities span over the religious, political, financial, world systems, nations causing wars, sickness, madness, disease, and he possesses and torments people. In terms of the religious realm, in 1 Corinthians 10-17-21, the covetous man is an idolator, idols are demons, you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. Exodus 12:12 shows the outward judgement of God against idols. Revelations says these spirits are very deceptive and will lead the world into Armageddon as they have worshipped the antichrist, and God sent upon them strong delusion because they did not receive the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 – “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…”, see 1 Corinthians 12:3, calls Jesus accursed; 2 Thessalonians 2:2, someone who knows when Jesus will return; 2 Corinthians 11:4; preaches another Jesus, Spirit or Gospel; Acts 16:17 – shows a way of salvation, not the way of salvation; 2 Corinthians 11:14, false apostles. Only God’s Word is truth, and if there is something contrary, you can take it to the elders who will be able to discern, admonish and rebuke where necessary. Let us be rooted and grounded in God’s word so we can be spiritually discerning and not be swayed by ungodly doctrines.
