Christian Warfare: June 2022
Table of Contents
Warfare
In the history of wars, we often remember the important commanders or statesmen, their choices and how their character and choices affected the outcome of the war. We remember men like Joshua, David, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Dwight Eisenhower and others for that reason. You and I are soldiers in a war. It is important for us to know and fully trust our supreme commander. When Joshua was about to lead the children of Israel in the battles for the conquest of the land of Israel, he met his commander. “The captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so” (Josh. 5:15). Absolute and holy obedience is our place to take with our commander. We do well to remember a lesson from the combat between the people of Israel and the Philistines. The men of Israel compared themselves to the giant Goliath and were afraid to face him in combat. Then young David comes into the picture. Does he compare himself to Goliath as the others did? No, he has a different and correct view of Goliath and the war. “David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, ... who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26). May we follow our commander with the same spirit found in Joshua and David.
The Mode of Warfare
Joshua 6:6-21
At the end of Joshua 5, we find the Lord taking His place as Captain of His host. In chapter 6, the action of Israel as the army of God begins immediately after the command is given by their Captain. Up to this point God has been bringing His people into Canaan and giving them of its food to prepare them for war. So the establishment of the Christian in grace must precede his being an effective soldier of Christ. A child of God who doubts his sonship or is engaged in spiritual struggles with himself is not an effective soldier of Christ.
Also, if Christian liberty is known as a matter of faith, there must be holy living in order to maintain spiritual conflict. Subjection to God and obedience to the Scriptures are necessary for true Christian warfare. We must walk with God if we would war for God. Christian soldiership demands that there should be both faith in what God has done for us and a yielding to His working in us.
Entrance Into Heavenly Places
Both the blessing of the believer in Christ and the healthy state of the Christian’s soul, as seen in the types and figures in the book of Joshua, are preliminaries to active warfare. The passage of the Jordan shows us, in figure, the believer’s entrance into the heavenly places. Gilgal shows his true place of liberty, while the partaking of the feasts of the Passover, unleavened bread, and the old corn of the land proclaimed true feeding on Christ. Upon these great realities came the vision of the drawn sword and the commands relative to the overthrow of Jericho. It would appear that Joshua gave his orders to Israel immediately upon receiving them from the Captain of the Lord’s host. Faith is equally balanced in its energy and patience, for faith is simply carrying out the mind of God. To the priests the word of command was, “Take up the ark”; to the armed men, “Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.”
He has promised the victory as He promised it to Israel. They believed Him, and “by faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” Let the soldier of Christ, at his Lord’s bidding, go forth to fight for Him, and let him be as assured of victory as was Israel. Soldiers of Christ, stir up the soul to courage! Christian courage tells upon adversaries as nothing else does. Also, let us stir up our souls to hardness. Warriors do not fight upon featherbeds, nor stretched at ease in armchairs; the Christian soldier must expect hardship. Moreover, he must not entangle himself with the affairs of this life, but please Him who has called him to be a soldier. Life’s duties must be honorably performed, but we are forbidden to entangle ourselves with them. There are many “indispensables,” as we may call them, which are really entanglements and which a Christian, zealous for Christ, learns to discard. Like the runner, he lays aside every weight. Anything that keeps the mind busy, to the exclusion of Christ’s interests, should be suspected.
A Good Soldier
A good soldier loves his profession, and a true Christian soldier loves Christian warfare. He takes pleasure in hardships and weariness. Forward, ever forward, is his cry. It is no burden to him, but rather his happy service to spend and to be spent for his Lord. Idleness and ease are a distress to the one who is fired by eternal prospects, energized by the Holy Spirit, and constrained by Christ’s love. Eternity, he whispers to himself, when his weary body almost resents carrying out the orders of his soul. Such a spirit marks the front-rank men. May the young Christian who reads this be fired by the prospects of eternity and be filled with holy zeal the entire period of his life!
Joshua gave orders for the day only: “Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the Lord.” All work of faith is day-by-day work, step-by-step progress; this is the only true and happy way of living for God. In the happy satisfaction that they had obeyed God, Israel’s first day ended — a comfort which we trust may be ours too.
The Ark of the Lord
Early in the morning of the second day Joshua arose, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. A fresh fact is now presented, of practical importance. The seven priests “went on continually, and blew with the trumpets.” No voice was uttered by Israel; the only sounds were the continual tramp of many feet and the blast of the trumpets. Such a mode of warfare looked to the men of Jericho, very likely, as consummate folly. There was no casting up of mounds, no construction of battering rams, no scaling ladders—nothing but the trumpets of jubilee! The men of Jericho did not know what those blasts meant, nor does the world today understand the joyful sound of the gospel and the message that Christ is coming.
The priests — the men whose service on this earth was the worship of Jehovah — blew the trumpets. So the joyful sound comes from worshiping souls — a true testimony. Joy in His coming arises only when the love of Christ is sweet in the heart. The force of true Christian courage has already been spoken of, but true Christian joy is almost as great a witness of God’s presence. The soul of the believer, brought into the knowledge of perfect salvation in Christ, cannot help but express exuberant joy, and the joy notes of the jubilee trumpets lasted all the seven days — all the time of Israel’s compassing of Jericho.
The joyful sound was not merely a song of their own freedom, but the continuous witness that the powers of evil were about to be overthrown and that God’s kingdom should come. The obedience of the silent host and the continual sound of the trumpets proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord offer a very suggestive contemplation for Christian soldiers. Israel struck the blow that overwhelmed Jericho by blowing the trumpets.
The Sevenfold Energy of Faith
The seventh day was marked by special zeal and sevenfold energy. “It came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times” (Josh. 6:15). In view of this, we may well stimulate our souls to renewed zeal and fresh patience. Patience is stamped upon the mode of Israel’s warfare — that peculiar patience which goes on till God’s time of victory arrives. “Persistency” is the word every Christian needs to have inscribed on his banner. There is a sevenfold, a perfect, trial of faith for the soldiers of Christ in the path of obedience, and the nearer the day of final victory, the more the need of earnest toil for the Lord. The nearer the end, the more call for diligence.
The power of Satan cannot be overcome except in divinely given strength, and whatever the zeal of God’s saints, prayer is their constant need. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance” (Eph. 6:18) is what God enjoins upon the soldier of Christ.
The shout of victory will soon be heard! The Lord will give the word, and then the defenses of evil will fall before Him. The time will come when men shall say, “Peace and safety”; then sudden destruction will come upon them. In the prospect of that day, let every man go up “straight before Him” (vs. 20) in simple obedience to the Lord. Let us be among the few who dare to brave the sneer of being peculiar, in doing each his own duty in obedience to the Word of the Lord.
H. F. Witherby (adapted)
Our Warfare
The Word of God teaches that believers today have enemies and fight a constant warfare against them while here on earth. There are three enemies mentioned in Scripture: the Flesh, the World and the Devil (Satan). First of all, however, there is a right state of mind that we must bring into the conflict in order to have the victory. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 it says, “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” People in this world fight physical battles against one another, but our battle is spiritual. We will go on to see how mighty the weapons of our warfare are, but notice what is brought out in these verses. We must cast down imaginations! There are many thoughts that may be considered to be true, but when examined in light of the Word of God, they are found to be only imaginations and untruths. Every one of those thoughts must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, the One who is Himself the truth. We cannot get the victory without doing this!
Let us go on to look at our enemies and then the armor given to us for our fight against them.
Enemy Number 1: The Flesh
Although it is not the primary subject of this paper, the flesh is actually the greatest enemy of the believer and the one about which Scripture has the most to say. The flesh is that evil sin nature that every one of us has been born with and which will remain with us until we die or are given our bodies of glory at the coming of the Lord Jesus. The believer is never told to fight against the flesh, but rather is to be on guard for any attacks that may come and to rely upon the Spirit of God to preserve him. We are told about the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 and in verse 16 we are told, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Again, we learn how very important it is for us to follow God’s Word and be filled with His Spirit if we are to lead victorious Christian lives.
Enemy Number 2: The World
The second enemy is the world. The world is that system of things around us that is opposed to Christ and is really headed up by Satan. The Lord Jesus said in John 15:19, “I have chosen you out of the world.” The world is the society, culture, and way of thinking that characterizes unsaved people all around us. The sooner we learn that those things are wrong at their root, the better we will be able to do what is right and according to Scripture. We are told in 1 John 2:17, “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” James states it even more strongly when he says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). This should be a real warning to those who are tempted to go on in friendship with unsaved companions, joining in with their activities. Sadly, we have found that there are believers that are willing to give up anything to do with Satan and the works of darkness, but they just cannot see how to be free of the world.
However, in our relationship with God, the world has no wisdom at all! In fact, the world’s wisdom is called foolishness in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, where it says, “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” James says, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15). The world’s wisdom appeals to the natural senses and is from the devil (Satan) who is the god of this world. There is only one way that we will be delivered from the world’s thinking. As it says in Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
As far as our culture is concerned, it may seem that the only way to get out of our obligations and the responsibilities that our society puts on us is to die. In fact, we are told in Matthew 16:25, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.” This does not mean physical death; rather, it means that we must die to all of our ambitions, dreams, honor and respect in this world. But then we find the reward: “Whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.” Yes, we will share in His rejection and persecution, but it is a life of joy that goes far beyond anything that an unbeliever or a disobedient believer can ever know.
This does not mean that we are to be in any way disrespectful to those in our community. Instead, we should tell them that we respect them very much, but that we belong to the Lord and cannot do what is displeasing to Him. Most who take a faithful stand in this way find that, although they will not understand us, those in the community will respect our position. But in many cases they will not be happy, and we must, like the early disciples, do what is right in spite of them. It says in Acts 5:41 That after they had been beaten, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
Enemy Number 3: The Devil
Now we come to the third enemy of the believer — the Devil, or Satan. When we refer to Satan, we are including all the demons who have followed him in his rebellion against God and who help carry out his evil work. We are told in Ephesians 6:12 That our warfare is not against men, but against Satan and his angels, for it says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
But what is the nature of our warfare with Satan and his forces? Is there a physical part to it or are there just illusions and deception? Many have heard of the power of the spirits (demons) where they have made people sick or done other supernatural things. We see an example of this in Scripture with Job, where Satan destroyed everything that he had and eventually even took away Job’s health. But is this how Satan and demons work with believers today? To give a brief answer, yes, they may be allowed by God to touch a believer physically, but their primary means of fighting against us is to deceive us into believing what is false. Before going on to see how to fight that warfare, let us look at how Satan comes against us and what our proper attitude should be in meeting him.
We are told in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” From these verses we learn that our position is defensive and that our protection is spiritual; “resist steadfast in the faith.” But there is something else that we should notice as to our attitude in meeting Satan. In verses 5-6 we read, “Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.” We must be truly humbled under God’s hand to have any chance at all in this conflict! We can trust Him for protection, and so it goes on to say in verse 7, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” It is only after we are submitted to the mighty protecting hand of God that we can go on to meet Satan. James says the same thing: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. ... Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Again, the first thing is to submit completely to God. Then, with His protection, we are told to resist the devil and we will have the victory.
T. Ruga (adapted)
The Real Cause of Persecution
Although different reasons may be given by different persons and governments for persecuting Christians, yet we believe that the real cause is the heart’s enmity against Christ and His truth, as seen in the godly lives of His people. Besides, their light makes manifest the darkness around and exposes and reproves the inconsistencies of false professors and the godless lives of the wicked. The enemy, taking occasion by these things, stirs up the cruel passions of those in power to quench the light by persecuting the light-bearer. “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light” (John 3:20). Such has been the experience of all Christians, in all ages, both in times of peace and in times of trouble. There is no exemption from persecution, secretly or openly, if we live according to the Spirit and truth of Christ. Among the last words that Paul wrote we read these — “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
The following may be considered as some of the unavoidable causes of persecution, looking at both sides of the question — God’s purposes and man’s reasons.
The War of Aggression
Christianity, unlike all other religions that preceded it, was aggressive (openly active) in its character. Judaism was exclusive — the religion of one nation, but Christ was proclaimed to the whole world. This was an entirely new thing on the earth. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) was the Lord’s command to the disciples. They were to go forth and make war with error, in every form and in all its workings. The conquest to be made was the heart to be taken for Christ. “The weapons of our warfare,” says the Apostle, “are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). In this war of aggression with existing institutions and with the corrupt habits of the heathen, the disciples of Jesus had little to expect but resistance, persecution and suffering.
Pagan Religions and the State
The pagan religions which Christianity was rapidly undermining and destined to overthrow were institutions of the state. They were so closely interwoven with the civil and social systems that to attack the religion was to be brought into conflict with both the civil and the social. And this was exactly what took place. If the primitive church had been as accommodating to the world as Christendom is now, much persecution might have been avoided. But the early church would not go for such lax accommodation. The gospel which the Christians then preached and the purity of doctrine and life which they maintained shook to the very foundation the old and deeply rooted religions of the state. Christians naturally withdrew themselves from the pagans. They became a separate and distinct people. They could not but condemn and abhor polytheism, as utterly opposed to the one living and true God and to the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. This gave the Romans the idea that Christians were unfriendly to the human race, seeing they condemned all religions but their own. Hence they were called “atheists,” because they did not believe in the heathen deities and refused heathen worship.
Christian Worship
Simplicity and humility characterized the Christians’ worship. They peaceably came together before sunrise or after sunset, to avoid giving offence. They sang hymns to Christ as to God; they broke bread in remembrance of His love in dying for them; they edified one another and pledged themselves to a life of holiness. But they had no fine temples, no statues, no order of priests, and no victims to offer in sacrifice. The contrast between their worship and that of all others in the empire became most manifest. The heathen, in their ignorance, concluded that the Christians had no religion at all and that their secret meetings were for the worst of purposes. The world now, as then, would say of those who worship God in spirit and in truth that “these people have no religion at all.” Christian worship, in true simplicity, without the aid of temples and priests, rites and ceremonies, is not much better understood now by professing Christendom than it was then by pagan Rome. Still it is true that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
The Temporary Interests
By the progress of Christianity, the temporal interests of a great number of persons were seriously affected. This was a fruitful and bitter source of persecution. A countless throng of priests, image-makers, dealers, fortune-tellers and artisans found good livings in connection with the worship of so many deities.
All these, seeing their craft in danger, rose up in united strength against the Christians and sought by every means to arrest the progress of Christianity. They invented and spread around the worst lies against everything Christian. The cunning priests and the artful soothsayers easily persuaded the vulgar, and the public mind in general, that all the calamities, wars, tempests and diseases that afflicted mankind were sent upon them by the angry gods, because the Christians who despised their authority were tolerated.
Sheep Among Wolves
Many other things might be mentioned, but these were everywhere the daily causes of the Christians’ sufferings, both publicly and privately. A moment’s reflection will convince every reader of the truth of this. But faith could see the Lord’s hand and hear His voice in it all: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves ... They will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles ... Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:16-18, 34).
A. Miller (adapted)
Conflict or Compromise
Right from the time that sin entered this world, those who have wanted to live for God’s glory have had to face opposition and conflict. Abel’s accepted sacrifice excited the hatred of his brother Cain; later, faithful men like Noah and Abraham found themselves at variance with the world around them. Scripture notes that when the occasion demanded, Abraham’s servants were already “trained and armed” (Gen. 14:14). When Israel entered the land of Canaan, they had to engage in conflict, if they were to possess and enjoy the land.
The Lord Jesus came into this world as “the Prince of peace” (Isa. 9:6), but when He was rejected, He said to His followers, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51). In Christianity, under the full light of the revelation of God in Christ, we are not called to physical warfare, for “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Cor. 10:4). Rather, we are called to a spiritual warfare, a warfare which is just as real and just as deadly as physical combat. If we are going to walk with God and obey the injunction to “hold that fast which thou hast” (Rev. 3:11), then Christian warfare will be inevitable.
The Conflict
True Christian conflict is brought before us in Ephesians, where the believer is exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God,” in order to be able to withstand “principalities and powers,” “the universal lords of this darkness,” and “spiritual power of wickedness in the heavenlies” (Eph. 6:12 JnD). This refers to Satan and his hosts, who seek to rob the believer of his joy in Christ, of the enjoyment of his heavenly blessings, and also of his ability to be a testimony for Christ in this world.
While this warfare is a necessary part of the Christian life, it is often either avoided or perhaps carried out in the wrong way. On the one hand, because some dear believers have not practiced self-judgment properly in their private lives, such things as unjudged sin, wrong attitudes and a difficult personality may cause them to defend the truth of God in a wrong spirit. Such warfare may use fleshly means, and the result is to turn hearts away from the truth rather than to commend it. Such believers may be in the right position, but their condition is wrong.
Peace at Any Price
Others, having seen such a wrong spirit in warfare, may go to the opposite extreme and want “peace at any price,” even if it is at the expense of truth. Since contending “for the faith once delivered to the saints” is hard work and sometimes uncomfortable, some would rather avoid it. Others may take a similar attitude, excusing themselves by saying that Christianity should be characterized by love, not conflict. Still others would allow conflict with the world, but object to any disagreement with fellow Christians, except in extreme circumstances. In these last days, it is also easy to fear defeat, as we see the collective testimony growing weaker and a general giving up of what was once held dear.
We see this warfare illustrated for us in Luke 14:31-32, where one king with only 10,000 men is faced with the prospect of doing battle against another king with 20,000. As Scripture points out, it might well be prudent for the king with only 10,000 to sue for peace, rather than risk defeat at the hands of the enemy. If the king with 10,000 represents the believer, then surely the king with 20,000 is Satan, and many dear Christians are prompted to make peace with him when they perceive that he is too strong for them. However, it is easy to see that any peace under such circumstances would certainly favor Satan rather than the believer, and it is in this way that he often gets us to compromise.
What, then, is the answer? Must Christian warfare be avoided, or must it be carried out in human energy? The answer is found in the Word of God, which encourages us to go on to victory. We read in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Also, in Ephesians 6:10, we are told to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” The battle is the Lord’s, and in His strength we can gain the victory. We cannot go out in our own strength; if we try to do so, we will find ourselves defeated, like Israel at Ai (Josh. 7:1-4). It is only in complete dependence on the Lord and in renouncing all human means that we can draw on His power. But in His strength, victory is assured, no matter what the power of the enemy might be.
Individual and Collective Warfare
This brings us to a consideration of individual and collective warfare, and also private and public conflict. We notice in Ephesians 6 that most of the armor of God is defensive. This part of the armor must be put on privately and as individuals. It must be put on every day, and we must be careful to put on the whole armor of God. We read in Romans 8:7 (JND) that “the mind of the flesh is enmity against God,” and we find that we must be continually “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5). It is only with the whole armor of God that we can do this. We cannot allow in our lives what is inconsistent with the light we have received, and the moment we do so, we give Satan an advantage over us. But with the whole armor in place, we do not need to succumb to “the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
When we have put on the armor of God individually and taken up Christian warfare in our private lives, the result will be seen publicly, and we will be able effectively to wield “the sword of the Spirit.” But while it is the Word of God which we hold in our hands, it is the sword of the Spirit; it is not ours to use in human energy. Rather, it is the Word of God which we have read, digested, and walked in; this is our sword. What we may know intellectually as head knowledge cannot be used by the Spirit; God’s Word must be a living reality in our lives. What a need there is today for those who will engage in Christian warfare privately, as David did with the lion and bear, and who will then be able to win great victories publicly, as David did with Goliath! In each case the power was the same, for it came from the Lord; it did not matter whether it was a lion, a bear or Goliath. If we are willing to engage in private warfare, we will have His strength to face public conflict.
The Collective Testimony
But there is a need for collective warfare too, and this is often neglected. The sin of one man was enough to occasion Israel’s defeat at the hands of Ai, for the Lord could say, “Israel hath sinned” (Josh. 7:11). So also today, the sin of one may well affect a whole company of believers. We do not read exactly of collective conflict in Scripture, but we know that Satan is attacking the collective testimony as never before. While Satan surely does not know when the Lord is coming for His own, yet he doubtless realizes in these last days that “he hath but a short time” (Rev. 12:12). If believers seek, as individuals, to enjoy their heavenly blessings and to live for God’s glory in this world, they will be a special object of Satan’s fury. So it will be also when believers seek to express the whole truth of God in a collective way and to exhibit the precious truth of the one body.
We have already mentioned the sad difficulties that Satan has brought in among God’s people down through the ages. These difficulties are allowed of the Lord, for our state collectively is only a reflection of what we are as individuals. Sometimes we may blame others for the collective failure, when we should be examining our own hearts as to how faithfully we have put on the whole armor of God and how diligent we have been in preparing for warfare. In 2 Chronicles 14 we read of Asa, who used the ten quiet years to accomplish two important things: He removed all the trappings of idolatry in the land, and he built fortifications. He also made sure that his army was well prepared for war. As a result, when war did come, he was ready, and in relying on the Lord, he achieved one of the greatest victories in the Old Testament. So we as believers should use times of peace and quiet in our lives to deal with those things which are not consistent with communion with the Lord and to build ourselves up in the things of the Lord, in preparation for the warfare that will surely come. All too often we are complacent, and thus we find ourselves unprepared when conflict begins.
In summary, then, let us remember that conflict in the Christian life is inevitable, if we are to live for God’s glory in a world of sin and Satan. Let us remember that individual, private warfare is most important and that all public and collective victory ultimately rests on this. Let us be willing to face the enemy, even in these last days, and not compromise in order to have an easier path. At the end of his life, Paul could say, “I have combated the good combat. ... I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7 JND). There is no reason why we cannot do this too, for the Lord is the same.
W. J. Prost
The Sword of the Spirit
The sword is the symbol of aggressive (offensive) warfare. The first three parts of the armor protect us as to our own state, the second two are defensive, the sixth is aggressive. We have but one weapon to use against the enemy — the Word of God. But if we know how to handle it, or, what is equally important, how to draw it, no enemy can resist it. Anyone may draw the carnal sword, though anyone may not be able to strike with it. But not so the sword of the Spirit. We can draw it aright only when guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the sword of the Spirit. That is, we must be walking in communion with God and in the ungrieved power of the Holy Spirit to use it either offensively or defensively. Thus the right passage will be suggested to the mind and applied with divine power. Mere human intelligence and human capacity are of no avail in this warfare. The Word of God is our only but all-sufficient weapon. It baffles the power of Satan, it detects his wiles, it disables every adversary, it silences the voice of self, it brings light into the scene of conflict, and it discovers the dark deceptions of the foe.
But it may be well for us to turn aside for a little and meditate on the Lord’s use of the Word when in conversation with the Jews and when in conflict with Satan in the wilderness. The former He so answered from Scripture that no man durst ask Him any more questions; the latter He vanquished with all his hosts and spoiled him of his goods. Oh! for divine skill to use, after the manner of our Lord, the Word of God — the Spirit’s sword! Lord, help us to quote the right passage and at the right time, so as to maintain our position according to the Word, that the enemy may not gain an advantage over us!
Aggressive Spiritual Warfare
But the sword of the Spirit is also used actively in our spiritual warfare. Christianity is essentially aggressive in its character. It judges all that is opposed to its pure and heavenly doctrines. It wages war with the mighty empire of unbelief in its ten thousand forms. The gospel is to be preached to every creature under heaven and this side of hell. It openly attacks carelessness, worldliness, formality, infidelity, superstition, error, and vice of every kind. It assails no political body, state or kingdom, but it storms the citadel of individual hearts and consciences and seeks to win souls one by one to the Captain of our salvation, Christ Jesus the Lord.
When the empire of Satan is thus invaded and threatened, we may rest assured that he will leave no stratagem untried, no force unused, to hinder our progress and to quench the light of our testimony. Hence the continual, the unending, the unmitigated warfare. But our weapons are spiritual, our victories are peace, the sharp sword of the Spirit piercing the conscience subdues the heart, and brings the conquered soul in triumph to the feet of Jesus.
Prayer in the Spirit
We have now had before us the several parts of the armor of God — that which refers to our state both inwardly and outwardly — self-judgment, governed affections, practical godliness, confidence in God, a peaceful and peace-making walk, joy in salvation, and the active energy of the Spirit, both in the sword and girdle, by the Word. But behind all these there is a hidden spring of power, which gives connection and strength to the whole armor, and without which all would be of no avail. It is dependence on God — a dependence which expresses itself in prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18).
The strength and blessedness of this position cannot be overestimated. In all our meditations there is no point more worthy of our closest, deepest study. It places the soul in connection with God and in dependence on Him. All our battles are to be fought this way, and if so, all our battles will be victories. Observe for a moment the structure of this remarkable verse. It is “praying always” — on all occasions — habitual and complete dependence. And “in the Spirit” — in the power of the Holy Spirit — in communion. And “watching thereunto with all perseverance” — active, vigilant. And “supplication for all saints” — earnestness, interest in others, affection which turns everything into prayer. This is the soul’s strong tower, and every soul’s strong tower. All do not have gifts for public ministry — for fighting in the front lines—but all have the privilege of thus drawing near to God and abiding there.
Let us be watchful and diligent, then, in the use of this weapon. See and avoid everything that would make us unspiritual and that would lead us away from God or interrupt our communion with Him. Our strength lies in communion. May the spirit of entire dependence on God characterize us as children in the family, members in the body, and servants in the kingdom.
Things New and Old, Vol. 14 (adapted)
War and Christianity
In a previous issue of The Christian we have considered the question of whether a Christian should be functioning in government in the world today. Now another related issue is surfacing in the news, namely, how soldiers can keep faith while under fire in war. While the issue may involve mainly Western nations at present, the question is relevant for any individual or nation that engages in war today.
God’s Government in the Old Testament
The controversy is not new, for the question of God and war has been debated since the fall of man. In the Old Testament, God was laying claim to the earth through His chosen people Israel, and He used them as His arm of power against other nations. This was particularly true in their conquest of the land of Canaan, for the “iniquity of the Amorites” and the Canaanites’ worship of idols caused the Lord to drive them out and give their land to Israel. Later, after Israel themselves had failed, God raised up Gentile powers (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome) as His government in the earth. The “times of the Gentiles” that were ushered in with Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians continue to this day and will not cease until the battle of Armageddon.
Thus we see clearly that the governments that God instituted in the world after the flood are here with us today. Because God set them up, He expects them to carry out their functions in His fear and holds them accountable for the way in which they do it. Sadly, war has been a factor for thousands of years in man’s administration in this world, and governments have continually used armed conflict either to increase their power or to protect their positions. Some nations, however, have gone to war specifically to try and correct wrong in the world and to free others from the tyranny of unrighteous and oppressive regimes.
Invoking God’s Name in War
Since man is essentially a God-conscious being, God has often been appealed to and His name invoked on behalf of nations going to war. Many times, both in the past and at present, false gods connected with false religions have been looked to for help, and some of these occasions are recorded in the Word of God. When the true God was appealed to in the Old Testament, in a cause of which He approved, His people Israel could count on victory, for His glory and their ultimate blessing. Doubtless there were times when appeals to false gods were connected with victory, for God is behind the scenes and “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph. 1:11). Also, appeals to the true God sometimes were connected with defeat because His people were taking refuge in an outwardly right position, but without inward reality. While allowing defeat under such circumstances, God always vindicated His name in other ways, even if His people were walking badly.
The Worst of Man
In our day we find that wars are frequent, whether in large conflicts involving many nations or in smaller combats involving only a few nations or ethnic groups. In such wars, whether large or small, often the worst in man’s sinful nature comes out, and atrocities are committed which they justify by the end that is served. The name of God is brought into the picture to justify all this, often by both sides, for each sees itself as having right on its side. Even if atrocities are not knowingly committed, yet the very act of making war, especially in these days of sophisticated weapons, results in awful carnage that can scarcely be imagined by those who have not experienced it. As we write this in February 2022, the present standoff between Russia and NATO over the Ukraine is a good example of all this, where both Russia and NATO see themselves as justified in their aims.
Setting Things Right
For believers living in a professing Christian nation, war has proven to be a difficult matter to face. On the one hand, when we see unrighteousness and injustice in the world, it is tempting to want to become directly involved and set things right. If this involves war and bloodshed, we may seek to justify it on the basis that it is necessary to deal with evil in order to promote good. This is particularly true of Christian nations, such as Britain in the nineteenth century and the United States today. On the other hand, many believers wonder how this can be reconciled with God’s message of love and grace in this dispensation and the command of the Lord Jesus to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44).
As always, we find the answer in the Word of God. It is true that God set up government in the earth, for there is no other way to curb the sinful impulses of fallen man. For this reason Paul reminds us to “be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). In keeping with this, he goes on to say that “he [the government] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4). Government by man will continue until the Lord Jesus comes and reigns in righteousness, and until then no government will be perfect, because it is administered by fallen man. Nevertheless, government is still “the minister of God,” and the believer is called to submit to it, even if, as Daniel reminded Nebuchadnezzar, God is pleased at times to set up in government “the basest of men” (Dan. 4:17).
The Christian’s Place
However, Scripture is clear that the Christian has no place in government today, for Christianity and government do not mix. For the same reason, the believer really has no place in war, either. Because we have a new life that delights in righteousness, we are constantly burdened by the rising tide of evil in this world and may be tempted to try and straighten things out. To do so, however, is to be like the Corinthians, to whom Paul had to say, “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us” (1 Cor. 4:8). It is not the time for reigning or to set things right, for our blessed Savior has been rejected. Until He has His rightful place, nothing will be right in this world. We are not to reign before the time.
More than this, to go to war and seek to “right the wrong” is to compromise our position as heavenly citizens and spoil our testimony to the love and grace of God. Nearly 150 years ago, a godly servant of the Lord was crossing the Atlantic on a British naval vessel. The sailors somehow found out that he did not believe in Christians going to war, and one day a number of them surrounded him on deck, wanting to know why. In those days Britain was recognized as an important “policeman” of the world, a role that has largely passed to the United States today. His reply was excellent, and in language which they understood. He said, “Boys, I believe in fair play. Suppose I go to war and meet up with an unbeliever on the enemy side. We fire at each other: He kills me, and I kill him. He sends me straight to heaven, while I send him straight to hell. Boys, I don’t call that fair play.” Worse still, how serious to think that a believer going to war might find himself fighting a fellow-believer from another nation.
Heavenly Ambassadors
If we as Christians understand our heavenly calling and understand our role here in this world as ambassadors, we will readily see that we have no place in this world’s conflicts. We will be thankful for any measure of law and order that we experience, for “righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). (Along this line, it is disheartening to see Western nations that formerly upheld Christian principles now legalizing wickedness such as homosexual practices and same-sex marriage. Such sin is indeed a reproach and degrades a nation.)
However, as heavenly ambassadors we will not seek to be identifying ourselves with our country of natural citizenship, whether in its righteousness or its sin, but rather will see ourselves as those called out of this world and part of the church which has been formed from every nation. We will seek to promote Christ’s interests down here, preach His message of love and grace, and wait for the Lord to come and take us home.
The Day of the Lord
Scripture tells us that God will deal with evil when our Lord comes back in power and glory to take His rightful place. The bloodshed and destruction of that day will be terrible, and unlike today, none will escape. Concerning that time, we read that “the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Rev. 14:20). Furthermore, we read that the Lord Jesus will “smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:15). When the judgment is finished, God will usher in the millennium, where righteousness will reign. At that time, “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:4). It is interesting that the Soviet Union, which denied the existence of God, donated a bronze sculpture to the United Nations back in 1959, depicting the truth of Isaiah 2:4: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks.” The donation was made by Nikita Khrushchev, former head of the Soviet Union, who was undeniably a master of intrigue and constant fomenter of world strife. Yet he obviously appreciated the Word of God and doubtless wanted peace, as long as it was on his terms. The sculpture was made by Russian sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich, and it still stands in the garden of the United Nations building in New York.
Weapons of Our Warfare
But is there no warfare for the believer today? Indeed there is. Paul could tell Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12), and he could also tell the Corinthians that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God” (2 Cor. 10:4). Then, in Ephesians 6:11 we are told to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to carry out both defensive and offensive warfare.
In particular, Paul tells us to have “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). This might seem to be a contradiction, for a warrior is not normally a man of peace. However, the contradiction is only in appearance. The gentlest Christian must be a stern warrior, and his power in conflict with the enemy will be in proportion to his power as a peacemaker. Unless he is a man of peace, he cannot be a man of war. The Christian must first be governed by truth — “having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:14) — and must walk in integrity of heart. This results in consistency of conduct, and he will seek the happiness of others, whether sinner or saint. Then the believer, as a man of peace, will be ready for war against “the wiles of the devil,” against “the rulers of the darkness of this world,” against “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:11-12). It is this kind of warfare in which the believer should engage today.
We may rest assured that God will judge evil, but our part, while we wait for His return, is to be a witness for Christ in the midst of the evil, as He was during His earthly ministry.
W. J. Prost
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare calls for courage. The only courage of any worth for a Christian comes from communion with God. “God has not given us the spirit of fear (cowardice)” — but Christians are as a rule shocking cowards. Many a man physically strong when converted, trembles in the presence of his companions, fears to tell them what God has done in the saving of his soul. “The flesh profiteth nothing.” Also, when Satan attacks God’s people, how much fear is evinced by them. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” is the Word of God. Satan cannot stand a bold front — the boldness being God’s strength. “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We must expect wounds in a battle, and the heart gets wounded in spiritual conflict, but every wound that leads us practically into truer dependence upon God is a real benefit to us. If we take our wounds to God, we shall not shrink from conflict because of them. God will heal, but we shall carry the scars.
Perhaps the most difficult thing for a young Christian is the beginning. A bad beginning seldom ends well. A cowardly beginning clings to us for a long time. When a young Christian hoists his flag, and lets his friends and companions know that he is for Christ, half his battle is over. Do not be afraid to confess Christ, and seek to live solely for Christ. The very worst piece of work that you can possibly effect in your whole lifetime, will be signing your name to a temporizing policy with the world and the devil.
Faithful Words for Young and Old, Vol. 9
Present Warfare There Must Be
If anyone represents God in the world, there must be warfare, because the enemy is there.
J. N. Darby
The Weapons of Our Warfare
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
We may see in 1st Corinthians how the Apostle employed those weapons with God to the overthrowing of strongholds, whatever the reasoning or the high thing that was lifted up against the knowledge of God. Take their fleshly zeal for Paul, Apollos, or Cephas; he brings in Christ and His cross to judge its roots, declaring that those men were but ministering servants through whom they themselves believed. It was a carnal corruption of their privileges. Take their worldly ease; with such an unbelieving anticipation of the day when we shall all reign together, he contrasts the apostles set by God as the last appointed to death, despised, suffering, and become as the world’s offscouring until now. Take their appeal to law courts; he confronts the indignity of saints, who are to judge the world and angels, prosecuting suits one against another before the unjust. Take their laxity about temple feasts; he shows that their boasted intelligence about the vanity of idols was exposing them to Satan’s snare, and drawing them into communion with demons. Take last their denial that the dead rise; he proves that it virtually upsets the resurrection of Christ, and consequently the gospel with all their heavenly privileges and hope. Thus admirably does the former epistle lead captive every thought into the obedience of Christ.
W. Kelly
Be Strong
Life is a warfare, Christian; be strong and of a good courage. There are no blessings to soldiers who are cowards.
The Young Christian, Vol. 23
Warring the Good Warfare
Condition of soul has much to do with warring the good warfare. Faith must be kept up, bright and simple and exercised, the eyes of the heart ever on the things unseen and eternal. Withal a good conscience is imperative, for if faith brings God in, a good conscience judges self so as to keep sin out. This is of all moment for every Christian, and is preeminently needful for him who is devoted to the service of Christ. There is nothing which so hardens the heart as the continual giving out of truth apart from one’s own communion and walk.
W. Kelly
When to Put on Armor
The armor should be put on before the battle, not just at the battle.
J. N. Darby
Courage and Conscience
Many have not the courage to go on in God’s warfare, because they hold on to something which is inconsistent with the light they have received. Perhaps, alas, they lose the light which they have not acted up to, and Satan is able to bring their mind under the darkness of his good reasons for staying where they are without conquering more territory from him.
J. N. Darby
Be of Good Courage
“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Be of good courage as the conflict thickens—
The ceaseless warfare, growing yet more strong;
The endless fight which wears, unnerves and sickens;
The combat which, unslacking, lasteth long.
Be of good courage ’neath the crushing pressure,
Which more and more saints feel o’er all the earth;
Opposing forces; weight beyond all measure;
New forms of evil ever springing forth.
Be of good courage, as the darkness deepens—
The darkness which, most sure, o’er earth does spread;
The moral darkness, that which virtue cheapens;
Dark shadow of the deeper dark ahead.
And whence the courage that will never fail thee?
Not human—though most noble, true and strong;
Thy place in Christ triumphant will avail thee,
And conqueror make thee o’er the foes who throng.
J. D. Smith