Jeff Pate
08-18-2008, 01:53 PM
True Spiritual Warfare Part 2
Romans 12:2 says that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God through renewing our minds. Therefore, the end result of pulling down strongholds is accomplished by first casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge (or word) of God.
Every word spoken begins as a thought or imagination. Jesus said, Therefore take no thought, saying… [Matthew 6:31] Our imagination is the birthplace of our words and actions—our spiritual womb. Your imagination is your “mind’s eye” or the way you perceive things. The imagination can also be seen as your “world view” or “paradigm.” So then, since words are the byproduct of thoughts, our weapons against any thoughts or words that attempt to have greater value than what the word of God says, should be cast down or shoved away.
Now let me say this as well, even though YOUR words are the byproduct of YOUR thoughts, the opposite is true as it relates to others’ words. Their words, being a byproduct of their thoughts, when communicated to you, are seeds that produce thoughts in your mind, which produce words from your mouth. Not only do thoughts produce words, but words also produce thoughts. This is a simple truth concerning the fact that every living thing has seed in itself to reproduce. Since words are seeds, they have life in them. Words, therefore, are not only seeds, but they are also fruit.
What makes the passage from Isaiah 54:17 complete is first the recognition of righteousness, and then the means by which you prevent any weapons that are formed against you to prosper. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn.
So, in order for the seed of No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper to be a reality in your life, you must cast down or shove away imaginations or any thought or word that attempts to have greater place or value than the word of God. The means by which we do this is to bring these thoughts or words into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In other words, every thought we have and every word we hear must be examined in light of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For example, you may have a thought that tells you that you’re not worthy to live in God’s blessing. However, because of Jesus, you are worthy—as worthy as He is—to live in God’s blessing. With this, you have examined a thought in light of what Jesus has done for us, and shoved it away because it was not obedient to Christ. In other words, you made this thought or word null and void by the truth of the word of God.
Let’s look back at Isaiah 54:17 and compare it to verse 6 of 2 Corinthians 10.
* Every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn.
* And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
What does rise against you in judgment mean? Many people will automatically conclude the word judgment to refer to condemnation or accusation, and although those things are true, the context of judgment in this case refers more to “with the purpose of making an impact in your life.” As the Word of God’s sole purpose is to make an impact in your life (God’s judgments are good—Psalm 119:137-144) likewise, the weapons of the enemy are sent to you with the sole purpose of making an impact in your life.
When the media announces that “Flu Season Has Arrived!” this word is coming against you to make an impact in your life. It can either conceive thoughts of being sick that will open the door to sickness, or it can cause you to go and get a flu shot. Either way, this word can make an impact on you. The key here is what you do with this word. Do you condemn it, or let it go unchallenged either in your thoughts or words? Now, let’s compare the announcement of the flu season to what the word of God says. If this is how we wage the war, then we must use practical examples.
The world says, “It’s flu season!”
BUT GOD says, You shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked, because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation. There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. [Psalm 91:5-10]
My teaching article “The BUT GOD Card” (http://www.bovministries.net/But_God.html) also relates how to use the Scripture to wage this war.
I frequently use this passage to condemn the bombardment of death-producing words of sickness and disease that comes from the television and other sources. Soon, I realized that the television has a mute button and better yet, an OFF button. (I’ll talk more about this in the final section about living a life separated from the world.) I used to pass a medical clinic every day on my way to work and every day I would see a large sign, “Get Your Flu Shots Here!” And because I knew it was there, I would resist looking at the sign, but my mind was already telling me what it said. I was condemning the word about sickness all the time.
In addition to sickness, the world is filled with words about divorce, terror, economic hardships, famine, etc. and all these words can be challenged and condemned by the word of God. This is how you prevent the enemy’s weapons from prospering—by not allowing them to be conceived in the first place.
This is the practice of exalting or giving glory to God as the Bible says, Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. And not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. [Romans 4:18-21]
Abraham was faced with two realities: the spiritual reality of God’s promise and the natural reality of his age and of Sarah’s barrenness. Both of these things were true, but Abraham chose to place a greater weight on God’s promise, which by default nullified the fact that he and Sarah were too old to conceive a child. Just like the “flu season” and Psalm 91 are true, you have a choice to exalt or magnify one above the other.
Isaiah wrote, Who has believed our report? Elijah said, [I]How long will you be halt between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, the follow him. And the people answered him not a word. [1 Kings 18:21]
I asked earlier whether you would challenge and condemn this word, or would you let it go. This is the essence of what I’m teaching. Sadly as the people answered him not a word, we too often let words and thoughts that are against the word of God go unchallenged and uncondemned. This is like having unprotected sexual intercourse and not being concerned about getting pregnant. God has given us weapons or armor to prevent conception of evil in our lives, but we have to use them.
Let’s look at what the Scripture teaches about the armor of God:
Finally, my brothers, 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 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. Wherefore take unto you 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 your loins covered with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. [Ephesians 6:10-20]
Now many may read this and object to what I taught earlier about true spiritual warfare, saying that our war is against principalities, powers, etc. and that these enemies are to be dealt with through prayer and intercession. Let us look closely at what the Scripture is saying… Is this passage teaching us how to wage war, or is it identifying who our enemy is, and what God has given us to protect us from this enemy?
Ephesians 6 identifies our enemy while 2 Corinthians 10 tells us how to fight him. The final verse from the passage in Ephesians 6 concerning prayer is encouraging constant fellowship with the Lord, and guarding against the attacks of the enemy—both for you and for all people. We know what this does NOT say… that principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places are combated with intercessory prayer. We can examine the ministries of Jesus and the apostles to resolve any dispute, because the Bible does not reveal any sort of “prayer ministry” to be part of their ministries. What chases the enemy away is the word of God—the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is why Paul urged for the readers to pray that he would boldly speak the truths of the gospel.
Some of you may not like that, but I challenge you to find Scripture to support the intercessory prayer ministries. Instead of secluding yourself away in prayer for people, perhaps it would be more beneficial if you would simply be bold and trust that God would give you utterance to make known the mystery of the gospel and to tell people the truth, and when they know the truth, the truth will set them free. People are set free by the truth—not by prayer. With that said, I am not discouraging anyone from praying for others. The Bible teaches us to do so, but the “weightier” matter of your life should (as a byproduct of your relationship with God) be devoted to sharing the good news while not leaving prayer for others undone.
I’ll briefly go through each piece of armor, but I want to stress this first. The armor of God was given to you so that you would BE ABLE to stand against the wiles of the devil, and to withstand in the evil day. “Being able” doesn’t mean this will happen. It means what it means—you will have the power to stand and be victorious over the devil, as much as the fact that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. We have God’s power to resist temptation of any kind, but this power is under our control and it is up to us to use it. We’re ABLE to stand, but will we use the weapons God has given us to stand, or believe something else to be true?
Compare this with what Ephesians 3:20 says, Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Similar to Isaiah 54:17, many people will cite only the first part of this passage concerning God’s power and ability to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, but this is also an incomplete statement without including according to the power that works in us. God’s power is infinite, but this passage says that His power is according or proportionate to how His power is working in us. God has done His part—He has made us ABLE: When the Bible says, I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:13] it doesn’t mean that I will. I just means that I CAN.
Our loins are covered with truth. Our loins are the parts of us that produce offspring. If we want to be fruitful, we must wrap ourselves with the Truth, which offers protection. Consider the truth to be a chastity belt. You cannot get pregnant or be castrated while wearing this belt.
The breastplate of righteousness covers our vital organs, which includes our heart, lungs, digestive, and excretory organs (stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, colon, etc.). Righteousness keeps us alive and is the body armor a police officer wears to protect himself when all other defenses either fail or he’s taken by surprise.
We should wear shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The words “preparation” and “peace” frequently get obscured from this phrase. We should always be preparing our hearts to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:14). Our walk should always be in “preparation” to proclaim and/or demonstrate the gospel or the good news that God has made peace with man through Jesus. Too many churches are not preaching the gospel of peace, but a message that God is still angry with people and is still holding sins against them. This is NOT the gospel of peace. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 to see what the gospel of peace is.
Paul writes, Above all, meaning NOT that this piece of armor is most important, but that this piece of armor is our outermost or first line of defense against the enemy’s attacks. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Our shield of faith rests in our knowledge of God’s word, which will function when we condemn and reject the words of the enemy that intend to be weapons against us. The shield of faith prevents the fiery darts from getting to us.
The helmet of salvation protects your head, the container of your thoughts and imaginations. Your mind should always be focused on the author of your salvation and how it was accomplished. This revelation will guide your thinking.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God is what we hold in our hands. Its power and life is under our control. While the other pieces of armor are worn, the sword is carried and should constantly be in our hands, or in other words, not departing from our mouths, our constant meditation, and because it is a sword—sharper than any two-edged sword—it is able to be both a defensive weapon to protect and cast down thoughts or words, and also an offensive weapon to challenge, condemn, and reject any tongue that shall rise against you in judgment.
Part 3 to follow...
Romans 12:2 says that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God through renewing our minds. Therefore, the end result of pulling down strongholds is accomplished by first casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge (or word) of God.
Every word spoken begins as a thought or imagination. Jesus said, Therefore take no thought, saying… [Matthew 6:31] Our imagination is the birthplace of our words and actions—our spiritual womb. Your imagination is your “mind’s eye” or the way you perceive things. The imagination can also be seen as your “world view” or “paradigm.” So then, since words are the byproduct of thoughts, our weapons against any thoughts or words that attempt to have greater value than what the word of God says, should be cast down or shoved away.
Now let me say this as well, even though YOUR words are the byproduct of YOUR thoughts, the opposite is true as it relates to others’ words. Their words, being a byproduct of their thoughts, when communicated to you, are seeds that produce thoughts in your mind, which produce words from your mouth. Not only do thoughts produce words, but words also produce thoughts. This is a simple truth concerning the fact that every living thing has seed in itself to reproduce. Since words are seeds, they have life in them. Words, therefore, are not only seeds, but they are also fruit.
What makes the passage from Isaiah 54:17 complete is first the recognition of righteousness, and then the means by which you prevent any weapons that are formed against you to prosper. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn.
So, in order for the seed of No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper to be a reality in your life, you must cast down or shove away imaginations or any thought or word that attempts to have greater place or value than the word of God. The means by which we do this is to bring these thoughts or words into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In other words, every thought we have and every word we hear must be examined in light of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For example, you may have a thought that tells you that you’re not worthy to live in God’s blessing. However, because of Jesus, you are worthy—as worthy as He is—to live in God’s blessing. With this, you have examined a thought in light of what Jesus has done for us, and shoved it away because it was not obedient to Christ. In other words, you made this thought or word null and void by the truth of the word of God.
Let’s look back at Isaiah 54:17 and compare it to verse 6 of 2 Corinthians 10.
* Every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn.
* And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
What does rise against you in judgment mean? Many people will automatically conclude the word judgment to refer to condemnation or accusation, and although those things are true, the context of judgment in this case refers more to “with the purpose of making an impact in your life.” As the Word of God’s sole purpose is to make an impact in your life (God’s judgments are good—Psalm 119:137-144) likewise, the weapons of the enemy are sent to you with the sole purpose of making an impact in your life.
When the media announces that “Flu Season Has Arrived!” this word is coming against you to make an impact in your life. It can either conceive thoughts of being sick that will open the door to sickness, or it can cause you to go and get a flu shot. Either way, this word can make an impact on you. The key here is what you do with this word. Do you condemn it, or let it go unchallenged either in your thoughts or words? Now, let’s compare the announcement of the flu season to what the word of God says. If this is how we wage the war, then we must use practical examples.
The world says, “It’s flu season!”
BUT GOD says, You shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked, because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation. There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. [Psalm 91:5-10]
My teaching article “The BUT GOD Card” (http://www.bovministries.net/But_God.html) also relates how to use the Scripture to wage this war.
I frequently use this passage to condemn the bombardment of death-producing words of sickness and disease that comes from the television and other sources. Soon, I realized that the television has a mute button and better yet, an OFF button. (I’ll talk more about this in the final section about living a life separated from the world.) I used to pass a medical clinic every day on my way to work and every day I would see a large sign, “Get Your Flu Shots Here!” And because I knew it was there, I would resist looking at the sign, but my mind was already telling me what it said. I was condemning the word about sickness all the time.
In addition to sickness, the world is filled with words about divorce, terror, economic hardships, famine, etc. and all these words can be challenged and condemned by the word of God. This is how you prevent the enemy’s weapons from prospering—by not allowing them to be conceived in the first place.
This is the practice of exalting or giving glory to God as the Bible says, Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. And not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. [Romans 4:18-21]
Abraham was faced with two realities: the spiritual reality of God’s promise and the natural reality of his age and of Sarah’s barrenness. Both of these things were true, but Abraham chose to place a greater weight on God’s promise, which by default nullified the fact that he and Sarah were too old to conceive a child. Just like the “flu season” and Psalm 91 are true, you have a choice to exalt or magnify one above the other.
Isaiah wrote, Who has believed our report? Elijah said, [I]How long will you be halt between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, the follow him. And the people answered him not a word. [1 Kings 18:21]
I asked earlier whether you would challenge and condemn this word, or would you let it go. This is the essence of what I’m teaching. Sadly as the people answered him not a word, we too often let words and thoughts that are against the word of God go unchallenged and uncondemned. This is like having unprotected sexual intercourse and not being concerned about getting pregnant. God has given us weapons or armor to prevent conception of evil in our lives, but we have to use them.
Let’s look at what the Scripture teaches about the armor of God:
Finally, my brothers, 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 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. Wherefore take unto you 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 your loins covered with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. [Ephesians 6:10-20]
Now many may read this and object to what I taught earlier about true spiritual warfare, saying that our war is against principalities, powers, etc. and that these enemies are to be dealt with through prayer and intercession. Let us look closely at what the Scripture is saying… Is this passage teaching us how to wage war, or is it identifying who our enemy is, and what God has given us to protect us from this enemy?
Ephesians 6 identifies our enemy while 2 Corinthians 10 tells us how to fight him. The final verse from the passage in Ephesians 6 concerning prayer is encouraging constant fellowship with the Lord, and guarding against the attacks of the enemy—both for you and for all people. We know what this does NOT say… that principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places are combated with intercessory prayer. We can examine the ministries of Jesus and the apostles to resolve any dispute, because the Bible does not reveal any sort of “prayer ministry” to be part of their ministries. What chases the enemy away is the word of God—the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is why Paul urged for the readers to pray that he would boldly speak the truths of the gospel.
Some of you may not like that, but I challenge you to find Scripture to support the intercessory prayer ministries. Instead of secluding yourself away in prayer for people, perhaps it would be more beneficial if you would simply be bold and trust that God would give you utterance to make known the mystery of the gospel and to tell people the truth, and when they know the truth, the truth will set them free. People are set free by the truth—not by prayer. With that said, I am not discouraging anyone from praying for others. The Bible teaches us to do so, but the “weightier” matter of your life should (as a byproduct of your relationship with God) be devoted to sharing the good news while not leaving prayer for others undone.
I’ll briefly go through each piece of armor, but I want to stress this first. The armor of God was given to you so that you would BE ABLE to stand against the wiles of the devil, and to withstand in the evil day. “Being able” doesn’t mean this will happen. It means what it means—you will have the power to stand and be victorious over the devil, as much as the fact that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. We have God’s power to resist temptation of any kind, but this power is under our control and it is up to us to use it. We’re ABLE to stand, but will we use the weapons God has given us to stand, or believe something else to be true?
Compare this with what Ephesians 3:20 says, Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Similar to Isaiah 54:17, many people will cite only the first part of this passage concerning God’s power and ability to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, but this is also an incomplete statement without including according to the power that works in us. God’s power is infinite, but this passage says that His power is according or proportionate to how His power is working in us. God has done His part—He has made us ABLE: When the Bible says, I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:13] it doesn’t mean that I will. I just means that I CAN.
Our loins are covered with truth. Our loins are the parts of us that produce offspring. If we want to be fruitful, we must wrap ourselves with the Truth, which offers protection. Consider the truth to be a chastity belt. You cannot get pregnant or be castrated while wearing this belt.
The breastplate of righteousness covers our vital organs, which includes our heart, lungs, digestive, and excretory organs (stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, colon, etc.). Righteousness keeps us alive and is the body armor a police officer wears to protect himself when all other defenses either fail or he’s taken by surprise.
We should wear shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The words “preparation” and “peace” frequently get obscured from this phrase. We should always be preparing our hearts to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:14). Our walk should always be in “preparation” to proclaim and/or demonstrate the gospel or the good news that God has made peace with man through Jesus. Too many churches are not preaching the gospel of peace, but a message that God is still angry with people and is still holding sins against them. This is NOT the gospel of peace. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 to see what the gospel of peace is.
Paul writes, Above all, meaning NOT that this piece of armor is most important, but that this piece of armor is our outermost or first line of defense against the enemy’s attacks. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Our shield of faith rests in our knowledge of God’s word, which will function when we condemn and reject the words of the enemy that intend to be weapons against us. The shield of faith prevents the fiery darts from getting to us.
The helmet of salvation protects your head, the container of your thoughts and imaginations. Your mind should always be focused on the author of your salvation and how it was accomplished. This revelation will guide your thinking.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God is what we hold in our hands. Its power and life is under our control. While the other pieces of armor are worn, the sword is carried and should constantly be in our hands, or in other words, not departing from our mouths, our constant meditation, and because it is a sword—sharper than any two-edged sword—it is able to be both a defensive weapon to protect and cast down thoughts or words, and also an offensive weapon to challenge, condemn, and reject any tongue that shall rise against you in judgment.
Part 3 to follow...