Our Weapons of War

by Yolanda Powell

Christians who presently walk in the anointing of God’s Word and Will have become dangerous individuals in this new age and dispensation. At all times and in all ways we are “packing” God’s "dunamis power" in order to demolish strongholds, free captives and advance an unmerciful assault against the inferior forces of Satan’s “wannabe” kingdom. This is a serious war of ‘life or death!’ Only the saints of the True and Living God will prevail!

Truly, we overcome our adversaries by the “blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11). As Jesus has already decreed, “...upon this rock (a rock of revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God) I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Corinthian Church, he describes our ‘spiritual might’ in the light of all that is pitted against us in II Corinthians 10:3-5. Let us examine his wisdom passage (verse by verse) in order to better understand our spiritual weapons of war:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.”

Many of us spend too much time engaged in ‘natural battles’ and focused on 'petty people issues'. We must recognize that our family, friends, leaders and co-workers are not the enemy. We are not in a ‘stand-off’ with others, because our fight is not with “flesh and blood!” This war is larger and more complex than what meets the eye. Is every conflict and difficulty a devil in disguise? The Holy Scriptures give an affirmative answer to this question, according to James 3:14-16. “If you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work.” The reality of this truth should make us wise and watchful as we begin to penetrate the ‘human dress’ of spiritual warfare.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

Since we are not fighting a “human enemy” there is no need for carnal, worldly or man-made weaponry. Arguments, debates, fist fights, law-suits, backbiting and the like only represent a carnal response to a spiritual dilemma. On the contrary, God has fortified His people with ‘divine power’ to surpass all the “wicked devices of the evil one.”

As the children of the Most High God, we have the privilege of walking in the ‘divine power’ of God our Father. Jesus said that it was expedient that He leave, in order that the Holy Ghost would be sent as our Paraklete (Helper, Comforter, Guide & Teacher). With the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit, we are not only equipped to live out the Christian life in the ‘divine nature’ of God, but to defeat every thing that would hinder our progressive success in the things pertaining to God. What an awesome transaction has taken place in our lives, for the benefit of Christ and His Kingdom!

An All-Knowing and Almighty God has chosen to put His might, strength and power into these earthly bodies of clay! What a treasure of dynamite we possess! With the ability of God resident on the inside of us, we can ’pull down’ strongholds, tie explosives around them, and snatch our thoughts out of Satan’s grip. These ’strongholds’ (plotted against the soul) become spiritual hindrances, weights and sins that keep us bound to our old nature and unable to progress and move forward in the things of God. We must be delivered and set free from these “invisible chains,’ by taking the God-given authority we posses and utilizing it in our lives on a daily basis.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…”

Imaginations are those “lies, false accusations and dirty pictures of the past’” that repeatedly creep up to assault and overtake us in a fault. They must not be entertained, but overthrown! Our minds are often too busy and filled with “fluff” to be ‘on the offensive’ as we should. We are constantly having to push against many deceptive barricades that attempt to compete with Christ and overthrow His Word. This spiritual battle takes place on the open battle-field of the mind—and it is an unceasing battle. Our thoughts, perceptions, opinions and reasonings are like “chess pieces” that are continuously being pursued. Yet, Paul admonishes us to deal squarely with our own selves and take control of our own mental faculties.

“...and bringing into captivity every though to the obedience of Christ.”

With fresh eyes, I see this military stance as a part of our worship and obedience to Jesus Christ our Lord. We cannot allow our own thoughts to run rampant and undisciplined. Such “free-willies” take our focus off of the Savior and cause us to dwell on natural circumstances. As mature Christians, we are responsible for “recycling” the “trash” that often rises up into the crevices of our mind. Through reading and meditating on the Word, praying and speaking the Word aloud and applying and implementing the Word into our lives; we live in God’s spiritual might!. Understanding these weapons of war enables us to become victors (and not victims) over all of the “wiles of the devil.” Use your weapons wisely and learn to defeat your enemy!