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Wage the Good Warfare - 1Timothy 1:18
Wage the Good Warfare - 1Timothy 1:18
Paul used the analogy of war to describe our lives as Christians.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)
but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:23)
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. (1 Peter 2:11)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? (James 4:1)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
We are encouraged to be prepared: “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13
Yet, for many, there is no real sense of war, fighting, struggle. There is little knowledge of the enemy or his tactics. What battle did you fight yesterday? This is more than a Don Quixote story! The enemy is real! The battle is real! If we are unaware of the battles, how can we win the war?
So, what WAS your battle yesterday? What battle are you facing today? Are you prepared?
Hugh DeLong
