Spiritual warfare is as real as anything we see in the physical world. We often forget that the trials, temptations, and challenges in life, while temporal in nature, can have long-range spiritual implications for us and those we love. Paul knew that as well. That is why in his letters Paul challenged the people to stand firm in the faith, and to live as if in battle.
Battle requires courage, training, discipline, and the right tools to succeed. In August, we will be looking at spiritual warfare. We will discuss preparation, the tools, and our response to life in a world of Spiritual war. In the month, we will look at what it means to stand firm in the Lord. We will also look at submitting to God’s leadership as one under command in the military.
Then we will look at the use of the weapons and armor God provides us for spiritual war. Finally, we will look at God’s promises for His chosen as not only warriors, but also priests. God’s desire, as we have discussed, is that we be a part of a nation of priests, drawing men to follow God into an eternal life of peace. Sadly, freedom often requires sacrifice and warfare. So, let’s prepare and pray as we enter the critical discussion of Spiritual war!
God Bless You
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Psalm 31:24
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
Hebrews 4:14
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
I Timothy 4
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle,[d] for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.
Walking With God 