The
Believers Unfailing Weapons
Text: 2 Cor. 10. 3-5, Ephesians 6. 10-17
The Christian race is full of
battles and warfare. This is not limited to the normal secular challenges of
life but sometimes spiritual. The scriptures confirm that though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war after the flesh. Meaning, though we are human and in the
flesh, yet our challenges and battles are not limited to the flesh, our oppositions
and enemies are not mere humans, but spiritual beings of wicked forces. Our warfare are both internal and external. We must
earnestly contend against our own fleshly lust, passions and desires (internal);
and we also confront wicked forces in high places (external). Wrong
targets in warfare results into great loss;
and wrong choice of weapons brings disappointments and defeat. The major
enemy of the believer is Satan, the Devil. He is not human but spiritual, yet
he uses human elements to attack, oppose and war against believer. He has his
cohorts and lieutenants in high wicked places supporting his mission against
Christians in all ages and every nation. To overcome Satan, you must make sure you are
born again, and be renewed from this prevailing negative practices in the
world. Sin must have been conquered, Self must have been crushed and himself
must have been crucified to the Lord. Its only then we can overcome the devil
and his agents by deploying the believer's unfailing weapons appropriately.
PI. DIVERSE
BATTLES AGAINST CHRIST’S WORKMEN
2 Cor. 2.11, Eph. 6.12, Esther 3.6,8-9, 1 Kings 13.18, 1 Chronicles 21.1,
Matt 4.1-10,
The word device represents crafty
plots of the enemy against an individual who gives his/her life to Christ. Note
that we
wrestle not against flesh and blood though he may appear in human strategy
(Eph. 6.12). Their focus is not against your person, but because you
had decided for the Lord. The moment you repent of your sins and profess Christ
as your Lord and savior, giving your life to him, the battles and challenges
becomes different. But the bible says "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless
the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Prov. 19.21). As we go
through the scriptures, we can see some of their plots against the army of
Christ as learn from their examples. This will help us prepare and stand
against their wicked tricks and strategies. Note that the devil and his agents
are crafty, they will not always come in the same way, but God is assuring us
that whichever way they come, they will fail in Jesus name. For instance to the
Jews in Shushan, he plotted extermination against Modecai and the Jews
riding upon the non readiness of Modecai to reverence him (Esther 3.6,8-9). Deception
was devised against the young prophet of Judah (I Kings 13.18). He
plotted provocation against David for Israel’s destruction through pride and
adamant census (I Chron. 21.1). To Jesus Christ he
brought temptations, appealing to his hunger and glory (Matt.
4. 1-10). To Peter, he brought intimidation to deny His master and to
later conclude “I go-a-fishing” (Mark 14.68-72). For Paul the
Apostle, it was severe beating and excommunication and for the apostles it was
persecution to scatter them (Acts 8.1). However, in view of all
the crafty nature of our enemy, we must always be endued with the weapons of
God for it is only these that can make us unconquerable and invincible to the
enemy.
P.II. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BELIEVER’S WEAPONS Eph.
6. 10-18, 2 Cor. 10.4-6, 1 John 5. 4-5,
The Christian weapons is called in
scripture by many names. The weapons of righteousness (2 Cor. 6.7), weapons of
light (Rom 13.12), and the weapons of our warfare in our text. These weapons
could be categorized into two. There are the defensive weapons used to
defend, shield and protect ourselves from the arrows of the enemy. These are
helmet of salvation, girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness, the gospel
of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit i.e the
Word of God. The second class is the offensive weapons used to
attack the enemy and conquer in battle. In warfare, we are not only to protect
ourselves from their attacks, we are also called to demolish all their
strongholds and demonstrate ability to stand firmly in the days of adversity.
These two classes of Christian weapons are integrated together and complement
each other. A true Christian reads, believes and obey Gods word, and he is
automatically preserved by God from dangers. Yet he claims those promises and speaks
the Word at the devil, and the plots of the enemy literarily crumbles. These weapons are powerful because they are
spiritual. The church becomes strong when we live righteously and demonstrate
power over sin, Satan and the flesh. We must practically resist the devil
through our obedience to God’s word (James 4.7). We must subject our
thoughts and actions to the obedience of Christ and His will, knowing that
nothing is hidden from Him (Titus 2.12). We must also watch our
intentions and guide our eyes from every evil appearances that may corrupt us
and make us defiled hence becoming vulnerable to Satan (I Thess. 5.22). And
lastly avoid every corrupt associations and friendship but separate yourself
holy unto the Lord as your master. Then we would be able to declare “the prince
of this word cometh and find nothing in me” (John 14.30). However, watchfulness
and prayer is the key offensive weapon against the enemy. A true
Christian must be ready to pray earnestly to overcome the enemy claiming the
words of God and throwing them at the devil as missiles. He must also be in readiness to
avenge the devil and exercise authority through the Name of Jesus, the
blood of Jesus, the undefeatable power of God, and through the
confidence in God’s presence. Examples in scriptures of such missiles are
Isa. 54.14-17 promise of protection
from the enemy, Isa 41.11-14
preservation against the gathering of evil forces, Ps 119.165- Prayer for peace in the midst of troubles, Ps. 32.8 Prayer for guidance and
direction in time of confusion, Numbers
23.23 Prayer to cancel the devices of Satan, 2 Sam. 15.31 Prayer in time of conspiracy. Prov.18.10- Power through His name, Isa. 43.2-Divine presence, the blood of the lamb Rev.12-11, His delegated authority over
demons Luke 10.19.Deliverance from
every curse Gal. 3.13. Remember,
righteousness of life brings boldness in prayer. Christians in warfare must be
ready to pray all forms of prayers – of praises, intercession, authority,
power, and all form of prayers should be utilized to completely demolish the
strong holds of the devil. The weapon of prayer is further enhanced with
fasting. But we must ensure we have total faith in God for it is God the
answers and not by power nor by might. (Mark 11.23, James 5.13-15)
P.III. DOMINION THROUGH BELIEVER’S UNFAILING WEAPONS Gen.39.12, Daniel 1.8, 6:10, 2 Kings 6. 18-20,
Esther 4.16, Acts 13.8-11, Acts 12.5
God always deliver His people from all the onslaughts of the enemy as long as they utilize their weapons
appropriately at the right time. As Christ’s ambassadors, Christian soldiers
are not supposed to rest on the battle field. Its only the watchful and fully
armed soldier that will always conquer the opponent in battle. Sleeping
soldiers may fail for the enemy may come while he was unaware. But once we are
steadfast, disciplined and watchful in righteousness and holiness, our victory
is sure in Jesus Name. Young Joseph was confronted with
challenge of immorality, yet he used the helmet
of salvation. He fled and had dominion over the flesh. Daniel also in Babylon
through prayer and determination avoided the drunkenness and defilement in
Babylon to become the well beloved ambassador of God. He had dominion over
human satanic conspirators and even the lions. Esther, Mordecai and the Jews
through prayer and fasting, overturned the plot of Haman to have dominion over
death sentence (Esther 4.16). Elisha through faith in God’s presence and power
prayed “God smite this people with blindness, and he captured the host (2
Kings 6.18), Paul the apostle brought judgment to Elymas with word of
authority for perverting his convert (Acts 13.8-11). The early church united
together in prayer and loose Peter from the chain of death (Acts 12.5), Paul and
Silas through prayer of praise got delivered from the prison and from death (Acts
16.26). How about you today. What battles are confronting you, as you
learnt about the Christian weapons today, Rise up to the challenge and claim
your victory.
