Spiritual warfare. It’s a term that conjures all sorts of visual representations. And it probably varies greatly by culture. I can’t claim to be all that knowledgeable about it, and I have kept my life mostly ignorant of the concept. I like to live in my little bubble where God protects his sheep from the workings of the wolf-like Devil.
And God doe, in fact, protect his sheep. However, it does not preclude his sheep from growing in their walk with God (their discipleship). Additionally, that doesn’t discount the fact that the Devil gets to use earth as a playground for distraction, deception, distortion, and destruction.
As I ponder Edwards’ 18th resolution, I am mindful of the fact that spiritual warfare is a very real happening in our world. Moreover, we have to be diligent in our pursuit of broader discipleship so we are able to stand firm in our faith while inhabiting a world that wants to pronounce us guilty as we are fulfilling our divine calling.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 18
Edwards’ Resolution #18 (in my modernized language) To live consistent in the way I should when I’m thinking spiritually and/or contemplating eternal truths.
Spiritual Warfare is Real
There’s so many things vying for our attention in life. That makes it so easy to grow complacent. So easy to fall into the trappings of pleasure and personal reward. Before we know it, we’re undisciplined in our ways. And we’re completely ignorant of priorities and the work we’re called to do.
That work, remember, is to glorify our God.
An undisciplined life is not one that glorifies God.
Make no mistake about it, we are at war. Battling against the worldly pleasures, which Scripture often refers to as ways of the flesh. But don’t allow the Devil deceive you or distort you into being asleep at the wheel. In fact, Scripture also tells us to be on guard against this sort of warfare.
Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. – Ephesians 6:16-18 MSG
Discipleship is Necessary
The best way to glorify God – to fulfill our Heavenly mandate – is to know and walk with God. While living as aliens in a culture that has largely departed from God, we witness our societal deterioration. Our culture deliberately distances itself from God. And it’s easy to follow suit.
We must not fall into a misguided thought that this is an okay way to pursue our calling. We must be intentional about connecting with God. About knowing him. Understanding his ways. Growing closer to God and having the discipline it requires to stand out among a darkened nation that needs to see God’s light.
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. – James 4:8-10 MSG
Stand Firm in Faith…
Spiritual warfare is very real. We must therefore pursue of broader discipleship so we can stand firm in our faith while in a world that wants to call us guilty as we are fulfilling a divine calling.
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory – 1 Peter 6-7 MSG
There was never a promise made that following Jesus would be easy. In fact, we’re promised that it will not always be an easy road traveled, However, those that run the race the win – a win that is, in fact, promised – shall gain the reward of eternal life in Heaven.
Meanwhile, here in the land “under the sun,” the Devil is ever prowling like a lion. Mind you, not a friendly mascot-like lion – though he’d have you believe it. No, the Devil is like a vicious, supernatural lion seeking to tear us limb from limb.
But he’s much more devious and maniacal. He’s downright methodical when it comes to spiritual warfare.
He starts in the heart – and that’s precisely why we must give ours over to the Lord.