Weapons of Spiritual War

Based on Apostle Andre Pelser’s Notes with additional ntoes by Apostle Aje Pelser, preached 7 July 2013, Harvester Reformational Church Cape Town.

 

First learn some principles about the Spiritual Battlefield

 

Apostles address principalities and topple them from their thrones to replace them with apostolic authority. That is why whole areas change when apostles move in. Acts 19 is a prime example where the whole of Asia heard the Gospel in the space of two years after the principality named Diana the goddess of the Ephesians was defeated. But principalities do not let go of their domain easily. They will order wicked spirits and rulers as well as demons of lower rank to organize strategies against the men and women of God who come against them. When Christ is formed in people in a congregational church, the Prince of Peace emerges to defeat a local principality. That is why Paul labours to the point of exhaustion to see Christ formed in people.

 

Our Weapons are Spiritual not Physical

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons (tools or implements for preparing things for war) of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (arguments to fortify own opinion like a fortress) 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

Weapons Defined:

The New King James Version

3696 hoplon { hop’-lon}

probably from a primary hepo (to be busy about);

AV – weapon 2, instrument 2, armour 2; 6 GK – 3960 { o{plon }

1)       any tool or implement for preparing a thing

1a)      arms used in warfare, weapons

an instrument[1]

 

Strongholds defined:

3794 ochuroma{ okh-oo’-ro-mah}

from a remote derivative of 2192 (meaning to fortify, through the idea of holding safely); AV – strong hold 1; 1 GK – 4065 { ojcuvrwma }

1)       a castle, stronghold, fortress, fastness

2)       anything on which one relies

2a)      of the arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent[2]

 

Imaginations:

3053 logismos{ log-is-mos’}

 

from 3049; AV – thought 1, imagination 1; 2 GK – 3361 { logismov' }

1)       a reckoning, computation

2)       a reasoning: such as is hostile to the Christian faith

a judgment, decision: such as conscience passes[3]

 

Layers or Ranks of Spiritual Forces

Ephesians 6:12,13

12 For we do not wrestle 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.13 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.

The New King James Version

 

Principalities:

746 arche { ar-khay’} from 756; TDNT – 1:479,81; n f

AV – beginning 40, principality 8, corner 2, first 2, misc 6; 58 GK – 794 { ajrchv }

From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): – beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

 

Powers:

G1849 Exousia ex-oo-see'-ah

From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: – authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

 

Rulers:

2888 kosmokrator { kos-mok-rat’-ore}

AV – ruler 1; 1

GK – 3179 { kosmokravtwr }

1)       lord of the world, prince of this age

1a)      the devil and his demons[4]

 

Darkness

4655 { skot’-os} skotos AV – darkness 32; 32 GK – 5030 { skovto' }

1)       darkness

1a)      of night darkness

1b)      of darkened eyesight or blindness

2)       metaph.

2a)      of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell

2b)      persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway[5]

 

Wickedness:

4189 poneria{ pon-ay-ree’-ah}

AV – wickedness 6, iniquity 1; 7  GK – 4504 { ponhriva }

1)       depravity, iniquity, wickedness

2)       malice

3)       evil purposes and desires

 

How to Wrestle:

3823 pale { pal’-ay}

From “Ballo” meaning to “throw” or “thrust” and “cast out” (to vibrate, another form for 906); GK – 4097 { pavlh }

1)       wrestling (a contest between two in which each endeavours to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck)

1a)      the term is transferred to the Christian’s struggle with the power of evil

 

Life or Death

God is strong, andHe wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

          Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. [6]

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

          And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the [7]Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.[8]

 

Against the wiles of the devil. The devil’s wiles are attractive, deceptive, and ensnaring. Satan is a personal enemy, a great adversary, a slanderous accuser, and a malignant foe. He uses clever and crafty methods to deceive. Men dream of a devil that is a hideous, horned, and hoofed monster who haunts the vice dens of the world; but God says he fashions himself into an angel of light and fashions his ministers as ministers of righteousness (II Cor 11:14–15). He is the champion of liberalism, ritualism, rationalism, and every other “ism” that seeks to displace Christ. His aim is to substitute something else and something different for the grace and truth of Christ. Never underestimate the enemy.

12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We are not engaged in a human, physical warfare. Wrestle means to throw or swing. It is a contest between two opponents that continues until one hurls the other one down and holds him down. The word against presents the idea of a personal foe, face-to-face and hand-to-hand conflict to the finish, a life and death struggle. Paul is not describing a Sunday school picnic. But against principalities. Principalities refer to the high-ranking hierarchy of demonic authority. Powers. Invested with authority. Rulers of the darkness of this world. The world rulers in revolt against God and limited to “this darkness” here on earth. Spiritual wickedness. The army of invisible wicked spirits. In high places. The sphere of this conflict is in the heavenlies, where life in Christ is lived (2:5–6).

 

 

Now one can start to explore the Weapons or Tools of Spiritual War:

 

Ephesians 6:13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God. Appropriate promptly, for there is no time to lose. No ordinary weapons will do (II Cor 10:4). Confronted by the old subtle serpent out of the pit, we need the panoply (impressive array or complete covering) of God, which is fully provided and freely given. Withstand … stand. The purpose of the armor is that we may hold our ground firmly, completely, gloriously, and victoriously.

 

Belt of Truth

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore. Take your stand therefore, bent on victory. Having your loins girt about with truth. This Greek aorist participle indicates antecedent action to the standing; it means belted around your thighs with the military band of true integrity and sincerity. You shall know the truth – experiential knowledge of the Truth is inferred. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Abiding in the Truth of His word, and applying it to your life consistently, allowing the truth to set you free in every aspect of lie is a requirement for every soldier of the faith.

The belt of truth holds the tunic in place and holds the scabbard (Sheath for sword). It is not an ornament, but an armament. Truth is revealed in the Word of God; it is light from heaven and dispels darkness.

 

Breastplate of Righteousness

Ephesians 6:14 Having on the breastplate of righteousness. Clothed with the breastplate of righteousness both in character and conduct. The breastplate protects the vital organs in the chest area from the assaults of the enemy. Without it we would be vulnerable, disgraced, and defeated.

We are also encouraged by the proverb:

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 

Remove the stones from your heart so that the seed of the Word of God can grow, and then protect your heart wit the understanding that you remain right with God by grace through faith, not of your works. Righteousness is a gift that Jesus paid for on the cross and if we are right with God we have confidence in the fight!

 

 

Feet Shod with Preparation of the Gospel

An army that doesn’t have shoes can’t march and attack when required. Preaparing your feet means understanding the value of bringing the message of the Gospel of Peace.

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those hwo bring good news”  –

 

Romans 10:13  For 'WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.'

Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!'

 

 

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Having bound under (cf. Mk 6:9; Acts 12:8) for firm footing, for sure steps, and for protection. Preparation indicates readiness; prepared to see duty, prepared to do God’s will, and prepared to proclaim the gospel of peace.

 

 

Take up the Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16. Above all. In addition to all. Taking the shield of faith. The shield is the large oblong shield for full protection. Note it is to be taken. Faith is utter dependence on God, upon His presence and His power. Faith puts God between you and the enemy. Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The fire-tipped darts are the arrows dipped in combustible material and set on fire in Satan’s malignant efforts to destroy you. The shield will quench every one of them without exception. It will stop the missiles and put out the fire.

In Roman times the shields were made of leather and then drenched with water to put out the fiery arrows. We need to be drenched with the water of the Word to quench the fiery arrows that come our way spiritually too. Don’t let your guard down and take up the shield of faith. Remember what you believe in the battle, and sue your shield actively. Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts! Many Christians wonder why that are being attacked because they forgot that they are in a war! If you don’t wage a good warfare with your prophecies and build up yourself on your most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost you are not taking up your shield of faith. Activate your spiritual weaponry by praying in tongues. There are prayer tongues and there are warfare tongues that are a gift of the Spirit. Another level of coded language that works like spiritual radar gathering intelligence for strategic spiritual warfare.

 

The Roman Turtle was created by the legionaries interlocking their shields to form one cohesive defensive mobile unit. As they moved forward they used their short swords to jab and then closed the shields again so that the enemy was forced to fight on the Roman’s terms. That is how they conquered the known world. In a church we interlock our shields of faith and move forward using powerful Words of Scripture to destroy our enemy collectively just like Jesus did in the wilderness.

Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17. And take the helmet of salvation. Take means receive or accept it from God. It is the assurance of salvation (II Tim 1:12; I Jn 5:11–13). Salvation is a present possession. The helmet protects the head, the citadel of intelligence, from false teachings and gives confidence and boldness in the conflict.

The helmet protects your mind. Often the battle in the spiritual war is fought in the mind – how you think about God, life, things and people. The devil knows how to de-stabilize people in their thoughts and he uses thoughts in the first person to steal and kill and destroy. Renewal of the mind becomes a vital process of transformation from the initial point of salvation in every believer’s walk of faith. As a man thinks in his heart so he is…

Knowing that you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is a protection for your thoughts under pressure during the conflict of spiritual warfare. Knowing Jesus is your Saviour in every situation in life helps you to relax and call on the name of the Lord when you need to be saved every day!

Sword of the Spirit

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This sword is the sharp one used in hand-to-hand conflict. It is the only offensive weapon. It is provided by the Spirit. When the church, or the Christian, used the rotten sticks of culture, science, theories, traditions, or commands of men, defeat is inevitable. God has promised to bless His Word (Isa. 55:8–11). Our Lord used this powerful source in the wilderness and met the devil with, “It is written” (Mt 4:4–10). The sword must be unsheathed; the Bible must not lie idle.

Get to know the Word and sharpen your skills by continually studying to show yourself approved to God a good worker rightly dividing the Word of truth. The Word is sharper than a two-edged sword and you will be able to discern your enemy, what is flesh, what is soul and what is spirit. The Spirit wields the Sword through us, the Holy Spirit is assigned to bring His Words to our remembrance in the battle. Our job is to abide in Him and let His words abide in us.

 

Remember Prayer is a Weapon!

Ephesians 6:18. Praying always. Pray without ceasing (I Thess 5:17) as you engage in battle. Keep the lines of communication open with the Captain of our salvation (Josh 5:13–15; Heb 2:10). Prayer and the Word should never be separated. The searching of the Word must be done with prayer, and prayer will be effectual through knowing the Word. With all prayer. Confession, adoration, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, supplication. In the Spirit. Not for the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who prays in us, through us, and for us (Rom 8:26–27; Jude 20). Watching. Be on guard, vigilant, wide awake (Mt 26:41). Perseverance. Persistence and importunity (Lk 11:5–8). Supplication. Specific requests. For all saints. In behalf of all believers. Christians should fight shoulder-to-shoulder and knee-to-knee.

 

Utterance

Ephesians 6:19. And for me. Paul requests prayer for himself. That utterance. Freedom of speech. Paul was not trusting in education or experience. Make known. With clear fullness and boldness. The mystery of the gospel. The divine meaning of the gospel in its universal application to all races on equal terms and conditions. Paul had a message from God, and desired the means to deliver that message.

Ephesians 6:20. An ambassador in bonds. An ambassador (II Cor 5:20) of the risen Lord, in chains and in prison.

 

 

So let the Lord reveal to you how to use those weapons and tools for preparation and execution in spiritual war. We are in a fight but it is a good fight, the fight of faith and a good fight is one that we win! This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our Faith!