Spiritual Warfare Series - The Nature of this War

Introduction

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 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;

Body

Warfare in General

If I don't make it home, please remember it wasn't because I didn't try. The last thing I wanted was to make you cry. I wanted more than anything to make it back to you, But there was a job I just had to do. As you were sleeping through the night, We woke to the sound of gunfire; and I knew this would be my last fight. It's my job to keep you safe and free, And to do that I will give every ounce of me. I am a soldier who will defend until the very end, But that comes at a cost that I know I can't mend.

...

I know I broke my promise to be here to wipe away every tear. You've cried a million of them every time you wished I were still here. Please forgive me for leaving you so soon, But my country called and needed me, too.

When we think of war, many different images can come to mind.

Depends on when we grew up

Depends on movies we’ve seen or books we’ve read

Historically accurate vs. romanticized

“Hogan’s Heroes” or “Gomer Pyle” vs. “Saving Private Ryan” or “Band of Brothers”.

There are good reasons for all the analogies in the New Testament referring to the Christian as a soldier.

Desires for this series:

Less theory and more practical, hands-on application.

Help us to see both the gravity of our calling, AND the great rewards waiting for us if we’ll reach out and take them by faith.

There are stark differences between peacetime and a time of war

Looking to WWII for our analogies.

Differences in economic policies

Differences in diplomacy

Differences in society

Differences between a peacetime army and a wartime army

Soldiers must be trained

“The more you sweat in training, the less you’ll bleed in combat.”

“Training should be so hard that the real thing seems easy.”

Transforming a civilian into a soldier is a multi-faceted process.

Physical

Psychological

Social

At the end of basic they need to understand who they have become

I’m no longer a civilian. I’m not the person I was 8 weeks ago.

I’m now a soldier. I’m a new creature.

They need to know their job

They need to know their equipment

They need to know their enemy

Chain of Command

Need to understand authority

They need to learn to trust their superiors

To obey without hesitation every lawful command

To use the chain of command when an order is unlawful

They need to know where they fit into the chain of command

Rank structure

Organizational structure

It requires complete commitment

Being a soldier is not a hobby. It’s not a 9-5, double-time-for-overtime career choice.

It’s a 24/7/365 lifestyle!

Soldiers need a good reason as to why they are going to war

Soldiers going to war need to understand the possible price

You will come face to face with your own mortality

You will live through engagements that others don’t come home from

There is no room for hesitation or doubt on the battlefield

Hesitation and doubt will spread like a plague until it has infected everyone around you.

Hesitation and doubt will get you, or someone else, killed on the battlefield.

Mandatory service for all citizens

Not in the U.S., but a lot of other countries have a mandatory period of time where you have to serve your country in the armed services.

Israel is one of those countries

Every legal adult is required to serve two years.

The Kingdom of God is another of those countries.

It’s life and death

In this occupation, you are required to kill your enemy before your enemy kills you.

It’s violent. The enemy will show no mercy. He will give no quarter. He plays by no rules except to win.

If we fail to conquer the enemy and take from him, he is conquering and taking from us.

The Unique Characteristics of Spiritual Warfare

It’s conducted in the spiritual realm

2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

It’s conducted using spiritual tools

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 KJV 1900

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 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;

It’s ever-present

This war has been waging ever since the garden of Eden.

It will only be concluded once and for all when Jesus Christ casts Satan into hell and eternity begins.

Immediately following our New Birth experience, we are drafted into this war. Whether you want to be or not.

The stakes are spiritual

We are fighting for no less than the salvation of the lost and the perfection of the saints.

People’s eternal destinies will be determined by how we conduct this war.

People’s ministries and effectiveness in the Kingdom of God will be determined by how we conduct this war.

Conclusion

We have an enormous responsibility … an enormous opportunity to represent Jesus Christ as a soldier of His kingdom.

We are to endure hardness as a good soldier.

We are to put on the whole armor of God.

We are to take up the weapons of our warfare and begin pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations, and bringing thoughts captive.

This is the heritage of all God’s children. To be more than conquers through Him that loved us.