As I'm reading through the Old Testament book of Joshua, I'm looking for clues as to how to wage spiritual battle today against evil in the world today. Though I understand that "battle" language is dangerous in some ways--the new ELW hymnal leaves out battle hymns like "Onward Christian Soldiers"--the New Testament is absolutely clear that we do not fight other people as if they were our enemies. Instead, our enemy is spiritual--the "spiritual forces of wickedness" that continually fight against everything good.
The first battle story in the book of Joshua is the "Battle of Jericho." There is no "fighting" in this story except by God himself--just like in the Exodus (See Ex 14:14)--the only one who fights is God himself.
That is one principle of Spiritual Warfare. We do not fight. No matter how hard things become, our task is to keep still and pray, only "doing" when it's clear the "doing" is commanded by God. Guidance for that is found in the scriptures--centered and interpreted by what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross--what he has done for us through his immeasurable love.
In the Spiritual Battles of this life, we rely totally on the power of his Word and his shed blood, We pray, we listen for God's direction, we pray some more, and then, relying on God's Grace, we act. In Spiritual Battles, we lay our lives on the line with no defense or offense other than what God provides.
Read Second Corinthians 10 and Ephesians 6:10-20 and let me know what you think.
www.equalsharing.com
Good Post!
ReplyDeleteWe do find ouselves in the midts of these battles all the time and as Paul told Timothy; "Fight a noble warefare" we must do the same.
Our wepon is what will cause us to either win or loose.
In my newly release book titled "The Sword and the Spear" I take readers through everday events having to choose to continue to stay defeated by Satan's Spear of death or to rise up and swing the might Sword of God which is his word.
Check it out , here is the link.
http://bit.ly/cfz9s2
Blessings,
Pastor Rod