Spiritual Warfare

How many of you have heard of the Ghost-busters movies? The original Ghost-busters came out in the early 1980’s and was a very popular movie. Since then they have come up with several new movies with the latest movie having been released in 2024.

Now what this movie is about is a group of guys who call themselves Ghost-busters and they use different electronic devices to capture evil spirits and then they put these evil spirits into a larger machine that contains them.

Now these ghost-busters also have other physical weapons that they use to fight and capture these demons .

Now these movies are very entertaining and they are popular however they do now show the reality of spiritual warfare. Electronic weapons, earthly strategies, and philosophies of the world are not effective weapons in true spiritual warfare.

Today we will be talking about spiritual warfare and what it looks like in the life of a believer.

Big Idea- In order to live for Christ we must fight against spiritual darkness using the power of God not relying on ourselves but on Him.

Take Aways

We do not fight spiritual battles with physical weapons.

Believers have been given mighty weapons for spiritual warfare.

Believers are to fight to remain faithful to the Lord.

Before we go into the text I would like to give you all a little background in what was going on around this passage.

2 Corinthians was a letter written to the church of Corinth written by Paul. Corinth was a Roman Colony that was very diverse and represented people from different parts of the world much like the United States today.

Corinth was also known to have a very immoral reputation and was also one that had many temples worshipping and representing false Gods. If it were today we would probably nick name it as sin city.

This is the culture and the environment that the Corinthians were living in and saved out of.

This letter addresses the issue of some of the Corinthians professing to be believers but living a life of sin. Some of the Corinthians were influenced by false prophets and even went as far as to question Paul's Apostleship and accused him of living in the flesh.

So in this passage Paul is talking to three different audiences, Those who were influenced by false prophets and or living in sin, the false prophets themselves, and the believers in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 10:3 NKJV

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

Here when it says “for though we walk in the flesh”, it is not referring to walking in our sin nature or following our sinful desires, But instead it is referring to living in this world as human beings.

How many of you have ever not eaten for a while and you felt hungry?

Have you ever worked out and felt pains or soreness after?

Have you ever gone to school or work and had to follow certain rules or processes?

This is what it means to walk in the flesh.

We have basic needs and necessities being human, we eat, we sleep, we use the bathroom and need rest because our bodies get tired.

We also function in society, we work jobs to pay for housing and food and all of the things to live. We teach our children things necessary to operate in the world system and they go to some form of school.

We also live and function in the midst of people who do not serve God and who have a belief system that is contrary or against the Word of God.

So here it is saying that although we are followers of Christ we live in this world and operate in this world and have all the physical needs of a human being.

Now the second part of this verse where it says “we do not war according to the flesh” this use of flesh is not talking about just living as a human, it is talking about following our fleshly desires and using the ways and tactics of the world to fight the enemy.

But what does that look like? What are following fleshly desires using tactics of the world?

An example of this is when someone cuts you off on the street and you feel you heart begin to beat a little faster, you feel the adrenaline course through your body and your lip tightens and you have the desire to track them down and give them a piece of your mind.

Or when your brother, sister, spouse or someone close to you says something that offends you and you want to say something to hurt them back.

Fighting back in a way that satisfies the sinful desires of your heart is following after fleshly desires.

The world says “don't get mad, get even”, or if he does something to you do something five times worse back to them. These are some of the philosophies and tactics of the world.

But believers are called to operate differently.

although we are human we have been redeemed and we do the Will of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:38–48 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Here we see that Gods people operate differently than the world. We do not retaliate with physical force, but instead we show mercy, grace and self control. We show them the love of Christ even when they do wrong do us. This is the opposite of what we want to do naturally, this is not the way of the world. This requires us to have the power of the Holy Spirit and to submit to God in all things dying to ourselves and living for Him.

We live in a fallen world and are surrounded by sin and corruption but we are not citizens of the world we are citizens of heaven and we live to please our eternal king who is God.

Philippians 3:17–20 NKJV

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

We live in a corrupted world with corrupted people who are against God. But we do not join them in their lifestyles but instead we life with an eternal perspective. One in that we are living to do the Will of God.

We do not fight physically against people or physical things of this world. We battle against Spiritual darkness and those things that are in opposition to God’s Will.

Back to our text 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NKJV

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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,

How many of you think it would be a good idea to go join the marines and go to war with pajamas and a water gun?

Ok, how about getting in a ring with Mike Tyson at his prime to fight him but without having any training?

Would you enter a NASCAR race with a bicycle?

Verse 4 here is letting us know the type of weapons that we need to use to engage in spiritual warfare and these weapons are not physical because physical weapons would not help, but these weapons are powerful spiritual weapons that are given to believers by God and are powered by the Holy Spirit.

God has not only given us offensive weapons but defensive weapons as well. Ephesians shows us what these spiritual weapons are.

We will go to Ephesians 6:10-17

Ephesians 6:10–17(NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

As believers it is important that we are effectively using the whole armor of God and that we know what these weapons are and how they are to be used in our lives.

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Here when this passage is talking about having girded our waist with truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness. It is talking about living a sincere life for Christ. This means having a real desire to please God and living by the truth of the Word of God. And not living a double life.

What that means is that we have the same dedication to following Gods Word and live for him in all areas of our life. So on Sundays or when we are around other believers we don't act one way but then when we are out of their presence we live a life of sin.

As believers we must live a life of integrity that is true to the Word of God consistently. This strengthens our witness and presentation of the Gospel to others and it gives no room for Satan to take a foothold in our lives.

Ephesians 6:15 NKJV

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Here when it is saying “having shod your feet” it is referring to foot protection. So this would be your armor for the feet in your spiritual warfare weaponry. What this verse is talking about is the proclamation of the Gospel.

As believers and disciples of Christ we are to tell others about Jesus and to make disciples.

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Being obedient to the great commission is an essential part of the armor of the Lord. Every piece of the armor of God is important and all of the peaces are to be worn regularly as we are constantly at war spiritually while we are in this world in these bodies.

Now going out and making disciples looks different for different people. For some it is building relationships and disciplining people at their jobs, for others its making disciples in the home, for others its on a larger scale. What is important is that we are living our lives sold out fully to God and that we are proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to others.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Here our shield is our faith in Christ. As believers we have faith in Christ for the work that He has done in his life and on the cross and we have faith that He will return again and we will reign with Him forever.

1 John 5:4–5 NKJV

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

No matter what the enemy throws at us we have an in-penetrable shield that we can and should use, that is placing our faith in Christ. We do not place our faith in man, in riches, in the world or in ourselves, we place our faith in the one who in perfect and true. We place our faith in Christ. This is the shield to the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Salvation and the Spirit go hand in hand.

1 Thessalonians 5:8–10 NKJV

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Those who are believers have been saved from the wrath of God because of the work that Jesus has done. This helmet of salvation is something that is on all believers and our salvation will be complete when the Lord returns and we are taken up with Him and we dwell with Him forever.

John 6:44 shows us how the Spirit is also tied into salvation.

John 6:44 NKJV

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is the Holy Spirit that draws us to the Lord so that we could become children of God. This salvation is the helmet of the armor of God.

Hebrews 4:12–13 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

The word of God is our only offensive weapon, but it is an extremely powerful weapon.

How many of you have a skill or something that you are really good at and you can teach someone else how to do that thing?

I am somewhat of a gamer. I like to play games every now and then and some of the games that I like to play are video games, particularly call of duty and elder scrolls online. Now I’ve been playing games like these for decades so I have developed certain skills and muscle memory that someone who does not play games like that would not have.

Now my wife Aigner is not video game player at all. She does very well at board games, but when it comes to games like call of duty etc, that not her cut of tea. Well years ago one day I was able to get Aigner to join me in a game. What do you guys think happened?

She did not do to well her charector was looking up at the sky and down at the ground and she couldnt walk properly let alone operate the Gun and shoot the enemy in the game. But why was she not an instant success at the game?

She had not put in the time and repetition to learn the game and develop the necessary skills to effectively use her player in the game.

Just as this is true of video games and other skills that are learned. It is the same with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

In order to properly use the Word of God we must understand it and know how to use it.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

To be properly armed with the Word of God we must study the Word, and apply it to our lives. This is the Sword of the Spirit which is a vital part of the armor of God.

Lets reflect, in looking at the armor of God do you lack any pieces of armor? If so then today is the day that you put those on to be able to battle in spiritual warfare effectively.

Are you:

living a sincere life following Christ living by His Word.

Proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to others.

Placing your faith in Christ and Him alone.

Looking forward to the reign and rule of the Lord and being in his presence for eternity.

Studying the Word of God and applying it to life.

If all of these are regularly in your lives then you are fully equipped with the Armor of God. If not then now is the time to make the adjustments so that you can be effective in spiritual warfare.

Back to the Text 2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV

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,

When we know the Word of God and his truth then we can identify what is true and what is not. Any arguments or anything that is in opposition to the Word of God is not true and shall not have anyplace in our world view and shall be corrected by the knowledge of the Word of God.

As we life our lives following Christ and in battle against spiritual darkness, we must actively be on guard against anything that is in opposition to God. We fight to remain faithful to the Lord.

In this we show discipline and self control.

Paul shows this type of discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:27

1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

We should not only be disciplined with our bodies but we should be on guard of our minds. When thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God come to mind then we are to take those thoughts captive. Meaning we do not dwell on those thoughts and allow them to move on to actions, we stop it right there.

2 Corinthians 10:6 NKJV

and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

In this verse Paul was referring to those who were living sinful lifestyles but were claiming to be believers who were members of the Church of Corinth. Paul was letting the members and leadership of the church to know that they are to hold them accountable according to the Word of God through church discipline.

Take Aways

We do not fight spiritual battles with physical weapons.

Believers have been given mighty weapons for spiritual warfare.

Believers are to fight to remain faithful to the Lord.