Active Duty or A.W.O.L.

lass=MsoNormal> Active Duty or A.W.O.L.? 5/20/07 a.m.

2 Cor.10:4 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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,

The Christian is a soldier of the cross

Because war was such a well-known phenomenon and such a serious matter, whether in reality or in its literary analogies (Pss. 18:34-42; 55:21; Eccles. 3:8; 9:18), it was also used as an appropriate symbol for the Christian life (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph. 6:11-17; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-4; James 4:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:11).[1]

Therefore the Christian life is represented as a warfare, and the Christian graces are also represented under the figure of pieces of armour (Eph. 6:11–17; 1 Thess. 5:8; 2 Tim. 2:3, 4).[2]

We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves. [3]

The Christian life is represented as a warfare

WAR, WARFARE — armed conflict with an opposing military force.

1 Tim. 1:18 18 This 6charge I commit to you, son Timothy, ….wage the good warfare,

Our Captain – Jesus Christ

2 Tim. 2:3 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Rules of engagement

2 Tim. 2:4-7 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

The concept of holy war required that God declare the war (Ex. 17:16; Num. 31:3).
Every warrior considered himself consecrated to God (Is. 13:3).
Before and during a war, soldiers abstained from certain activities to sanctify themselves (Judg. 20:26; 2 Sam. 11:11).
Those who fought under a divinely ordained leader (Judg. 6:34) had to be singleminded in their devotion to God.
The Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, went with Israel’s army into battle (2 Sam. 11:11).[4]

The enemy we face

1Peter 5:8-9 your adversary the devil

Devil—the chief opponent of God

slanderer The term comes from a Greek word that means “a false witness” or “malicious accuser.”[5]

The Evil One Matt. 6:13; 13:19, 38; 1 John 2:13

Enemy Matt. 13:25, 28, 39

Deceiver Rev. 20:10

Abaddon Rev. 9:11

Accuser Rev. 12:10

Adversary 1 Pet. 5:8

Angel of the bottomless pit Rev. 9:11

Apollyon Rev. 9:11

Beelzebub Matt. 12:24

Belial 2 Cor. 6:15 The name means “worthlessness.”

God of this age 2 Cor. 4:4

Murderer John 8:44

Prince of demons Matt. 12:24

Prince of the power of the air Eph. 2:2

Ruler of darkness Eph. 6:12

Ruler of this world John 14:30

Satan Luke 10:18

Serpent Gen. 3:4

Serpent of old Rev. 20:2

Wicked one Matt. 13:19[6]

The Devil is no ordinary foe

Eph. 6:11-12 … 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.

Satan is very cunning and uses many techniques

And we are to…stand against the 2wiles of the devil.

The term “wiles” is the Greek methodeias, from which comes the word “method.” Thus, the Christian is to arm himself against the “methods” of the devil (diabolou, Gk., lit. “the one who casts through”).[7]

Satan has many that are under his influence and control

Eph. 2:2 (they live)…according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

1Chr. 21:1 Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

The enemy we face is Satan & those under his influence and control

But the Lord didn’t leave us defenseless

He gave us graces that are represented as pieces of armour

In the Christian’s warfare against “the wiles of the devil,” he is to arm himself with spiritual armor in the same way that the Roman soldier (perhaps one was chained to Paul at the moment of writing) was customarily equipped for his physical warfare.

Eph. 6:13-18 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.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,

· take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand

· Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth (in every way)

· having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (of self & Christ)

· 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace (w/God)

· 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (trusting God/promises completely)

· 17 And take the helmet of salvation, (knowing your eternal life is secure)

Our weapons

The weapons of the world are learning, personal influence, impressive credentials (1 Cor. 1:26), rhetorical polish (1 Cor. 2:1), and the like. These things Paul had discounted and discarded (Phil. 3:4-8). He did not wage war as the world does or use their weapons.

2 Cor.10:4 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal ….. in God

The weapons Paul used were the proclaimed Word of God (boldness of speech) and prayer, discipline, (Eph. 6:17-18),

Eph. 6:17-18 and (take)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance

The weapons of our warfare are the word of God, prayer, perseverance

The power of our weapons of warfare are mighty

Eph. 6:10-1210 be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

2 Cor.10:4 4 For the weapons of our warfare are ….. mighty in God

Our method of warfare

2 Cor.10:4 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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,

pulling down strongholds

Strongholds -- something in which sinners entrench themselves against reproof;

casting down arguments -- reasonings, thoughts, intent of the mind or will
and every high thing

(is something) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

The three steps of the apostle’s spiritual warfare are:

(1) It demolishes what is opposed to Christ;

(2) It leads captive;

(3) It brings into obedience to Christ (Ro 1:5; 16:26).

The “reasonings” (English Version, “imaginations”) are utterly “cast down.”

The “mental intents” (English Version, “thoughts”) are taken willing captives,

and tender the voluntary obedience of faith to Christ the Conqueror.[8]

Are you on “Active Duty” or are you “A.W.O.L.”

Are you a solder of Christ, are you saved, have you repented of your sins and asked for forgiveness, have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Are you on “Active Duty” or are you “A.W.O.L.”

If you are saved, are you actively engaged in the Lord’s war against Satan and his lies, do refute and expose those things that are in direct conflict to the knowledge and word of God?

Are you on “Active Duty” or are you “A.W.O.L.”

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[1]Achtemeier, Paul J. ; Harper & Row, Publishers ; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco : Harper & Row, 1985, S. 1119

[2]Easton, M.G.: Easton's Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996, c1897

[3]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Eph 6:10

6 command

[4]Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995

[5]Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995

[6]Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's Quick Reference Topical Bible Index. Nashville, Tenn. : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995 (Nelson's Quick Reference), S. 176

2 schemings

[7] Believer's Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Eph 6:11

[8]Jamieson, Robert ; Fausset, A. R. ; Fausset, A. R. ; Brown, David ; Brown, David: A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997, S. 2 Co 10:4