Use Your Spiritual Weapons!

USE YOUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS!

By Rodney W. Francis

Living the true Christian life means that we are in a spiritual warfare against all the opposition to Jesus Christ and His will and purpose for our life. We are saved for a specific purpose and we need to know that purpose so we can live according to God’s desire for us. Living with and for Jesus is very different to the way of the world. He has given us new life so that we can live and walk in a whole new way with Him. Those who are not born-again and Holy Spirit filled do not understand the things that be of the Spirit of God (see 1 Corinthians Chapter 2).

Consider these verses: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (“of the flesh”) but mighty in God for the pulling down strongholds (“fortresses”), casting down arguments (“reasonings”) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Notice what the big enemies are against the Christian: carnality, strongholds, arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. These can all be inward battles that we face; as well as accusations aimed at us from those who do not know the truth of the Gospel.

God has given us weapons that enable us to conquer all those negative things that come against us. Hallelujah!

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). We see that to be a true Christian we must separate ourselves from the ways of the world, the flesh and the devil.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world ~ the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ~ is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober (“self-controlled”), be vigilant (“watchful”); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:6-11).

God has given to us an armour and weapons that enable us to conquer every foe that comes against us.

“Therefore submit (“to submit one’s self”) to God. Resist (“to set one’s self in battle array against; to set one’s self in opposition to” – Bullinger’s) the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).

Jesus said: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Christianity is all about being set free by Jesus to serve Him in newness of life in a victorious way! Hallelujah!

THE BENEFITS OF RECEIVING TRUE PROPHECIES

True Prophetic Ministry helps us to wage a good warfare:

“This charge (“command”) I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).

I, personally, have benefitted greatly through those true prophecies given to me over the years. They have enabled me to know the will of God for my life more clearly; the result of which we are able to touch many thousands of lives around the world. All praise to Jesus!

“Do not neglect (“be careless with”) the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate (“to care for, take care for anything, so as to be able to perform it” – Bullinger’s) on these things; give yourself entirely (“completely, totally”) to them, that your progress (“going forwards”) may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:14-15).

Sadly, many Christians are very ignorant of the Spiritual Gifts and their purposes (1 Corinthians 12:1). They have been given us by God so we can profit (“advantage; be better for”) through them (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). We are to “earnestly desire (“be zealous for, be serious in intention”)” them to be functioning in and through our lives (1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 12, 31, 39).

Have we put that armour on, and are we using those spiritual weapons effectively?

Whatever God has provided for us is very important for us to receive, act upon and use in our battle against the enemies of the Christ Who lives within the true Christian. We only get the benefits of what He has given us when we use them for His glory.

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (“schemings”) of the devil. For we do not wrestle (“struggle”) against flesh and blood, but against principalities (“the highest dignitaries”), against powers (“delegated authorities”), against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour 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 (“put out, extinguish”) 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 (“the expression of need”) for all the saints . . .” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Here we are given clear advice as to what our armour is, and that we must put it on. No one else can put our armour on us; we have to put it on ourselves. With God’s armour on we are able to stand against the enemy and to withstand every attack that comes against us.

God knows exactly what we need to be overcomers and conquerors and He has provided us with the right armoury to do it.
Make sure you have your armour of God on!
With the armour of God on we can use the spiritual weapons He has also given us and be victorious in the battles of life that the enemy brings against us to try and take us down – and out!

Let us all take heed to these things and make very sure that we use our spiritual weapons; otherwise we will suffer defeats that will rob us of being true, overcoming and victorious followers/disciples of Jesus Christ. God bless you more and more abundantly.

"The Gospel Faith Messenger" Ministry. New Zealand. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.