Salvation and Warfare: A Biblical Perspective: Chapter 6.
Moving further from the practical side of commitment, we will explore the aspect of warfare that commitment attracts.
Our commitment to Jesus will not only bring us God’s acceptance, but will also simultaneously attract warfare, as the enemy of our salvation rises up against us.
Suddenly, we begin to experience challenges because of our commitment. We then find ourselves engaged in a phenomenal battle with Satan. He hates us because he first hated Jesus.
Salvation and Warfare: The World will Hate you
When we look at John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” – we see that as soon as you are born again, as soon as you experience conversion, as soon as you are saved, Satan hates you just as he hates Jesus.
You must come to the understanding that the moment you are genuinely saved (a salvation backed up by commitment), you are no longer part of the world, even though you continue to live in it.
We embrace the life of Jesus and begin to live distinctly from others who still pledge allegiance to the system of this world. No longer are we found in the practices of our old selves.
This allegiance we have pledged to Christ – to live His life – (Galatians 2:20) is the very thing that Satan challenges, because it becomes clear that we are no longer his.
Since we now take up His life, Satan hates us in the same way he hates Jesus. Without commitment to Jesus, we are not yet a threat to Satan.
Not Flesh and Blood
When we speak about the battle we are engaged in because of our commitment to Jesus, we are not speaking of a physical battle.
This means we must embrace the truth that, beyond the provocation we may receive from fellow human beings, we need to discern the real cause behind their attitudes. Satan, our common enemy, does not come physically to challenge us; rather, he works through people.
The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:10–13, clearly establishes this truth in his letter to the believers in Ephesus. In verse 12, he says, “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.”
Take note that he did not say the people of the world or those who do not share our faith. Instead, he immediately directed attention to the spiritual forces that are the true enemies of our faith.
T.B. Joshua, in his message titled Our Commitment to Jesus, also stated that the battle is not one of flesh and blood – not the kind of enemy you see today. He explained:
“You say your brother hates you, and your brother has flesh and blood. I don’t know the kind of enemy you have. Your enemy is not your brother; your enemy is not your husband; your enemy is not your wife; your enemy is not the chairman of your company. Your enemy is not your mentor, but spirit beings that cause tension and pressure.”
Therefore, the enemy of our faith is not our fellow human beings, but spiritual rulers – forces that oppose our faith and seek to prevent us from attaining our future salvation at the second coming of our King.
Salvation and Warfare: The Weapon of our Warfare
No warrior fights a battle without a weapon. No matter how big or small a battle may be, a weapon is always necessary. However, we must ask ourselves: what kind of weapon is needed for this battle?
If the phenomenal battle we are engaged in is against spiritual entities, should the weapons of our warfare be carnal?
In the account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:38–40), we see that before David went to the battlefield to fight Goliath, he was brought before King Saul and dressed in Saul’s tunic.
Saul placed a bronze helmet on David’s head and clothed him with armor. David fastened his sword over the tunic and tried to walk, but he could not, because he was not used to them (1 Samuel 17:38–39).
In verse 39, David said, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them.” So he took them off (1 Samuel 17:39).
Instead, he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the brook, put them in his shepherd’s bag, and with his sling in his hand approached the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:40). We know the outcome – he had victory (1 Samuel 17:50).
David’s weapon was spiritual rather than carnal, because it defied human logic that a mere stone could bring down a giant as great as Goliath.
Our Spiritual Armor
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 10:4, said, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.” He also went on to say in Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
In Ephesians 6:14–17, the Apostle Paul then proceeded to highlight each essential part of the armor.
- Belt of Truth
- Shoe of the Gospel
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
We see clearly that none of these weapons are physical. They are spiritual provisions given by God to equip us for a spiritual battle. Therefore, our victory does not come through human strength, but through divine empowerment.
Conclusion
The moment you are born again, Satan hates you. Not your sister, brother, and colleague. Satan.
The moment you are born again, you become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. He hates you just as he hates Jesus, because you now carry the life of Jesus.
So why are you fighting flesh and blood? Why are you exhausting your strength attacking people? Why are you engaging in battles that were never meant for the physical realm?
You are fighting the wrong enemy.
This is not a battle against your brother. It is not a battle against your wife, your husband, your neighbor, or your superior at work. It is a spiritual battle. And spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons.
Stop fighting a battle you were never called to fight. Stand firm. Discern the real enemy. And put on the full armor of God.