A Battle Plan (Pt. 3)

C.  A New Testament View: Arriving at the New Testament, we have become used to adopting the diametrically opposite view of that dealt with above, namely that the warfare in the New Testament is spiritual, not fleshy. The locus classicus for this position are Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10-20, but particularly verse 12:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In this case, I am not out to prove that the warfare is spiritual. Paul has already explained this clearly. Our point here is to make it apparent that the battle so defined also includes flesh and blood. Just as the erroneous Old Testament view denied or greatly diminished the  spiritual aspect of our warfare, so the commonly held New Testament view denies or greatly diminishes the idea that men are involved in that war.

What must be grasped is that the power of our warfare is Spiritual, but that the targets of our warfare are primarily flesh and blood, even if backed by other forces. It must also be understood, as with Joshua, that we cannot leave the fight to those in the spiritual realm while we lay back on the beach and “catch some rays.” We, flesh and blood Christians, are required to do things. We are required to act. We are required to fight. Even though our weapons are Spiritual, it does not mean that we do not need to wield them. Equally, we must understand that our armament is exercised against someone or something – the foe! Paul does not equate us with ceremonial soldiers — those who dress in polished uniforms and carry replica weapons that have been polished so finely that they could blind a man at a thousand paces with the sun’s reflection, but which, in the final analysis, are only good for show. Not at all! Paul calls us to be equipped with real weapons which are to be employed against real enemies.

It seems sad that Paul’s argument has been misunderstood or deliberately denied on this point, despite the perspicuity of Paul’s words. To illustrate this point we need to read carefully the whole of Paul’s argument in Ephesians 6:10-20:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I desire you to read this, many times if necessary, so that Paul’s words are clear. One of the problems with “well known” texts is that they are usually not that well known. We think we know what they say, but rarely have we taken the time to listen carefully to what the Spirit says to the Church. To help you, I have taken the liberty of highlighting some of the words. This is not to treat you as a “dill”, to use the vernacular. It is simply to help you grasp the point. Paul is firmly arguing that our warfare is Spiritual. However, please notice that Paul wants us to understand his point on the source of our warfare, not so that we can opt out, but in order that we may engage the battle more effectively and join with Paul in his battles – well, at least for the original readers; for us, the Apostolic battle passed to our generation.

To give clarity, it may also be helpful to break the text down and place it in a table. Hopefully, this will illuminate the point being made:

Our Action	Instrument	Positive Purpose	Negative Purpose
Be Strong	In the Lord, and in the strength of His might
Put on	The full armor of God, that
You may stand firm			against the schemes of the devil. For
Our struggle			is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, Take up	the full armor of God	that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm
having girded	your loins with truth, and
having put	on the breastplate of righteousness
and having shod	your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all, taking up	the shield of faith	with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.
And take	the helmet of salvation
and (take)	the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
pray	With all prayer and petition at all times in the Spirit	and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints
and pray on my behalf		that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth
to make known		with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

If we look at this table, we see that the column on the left titled “Our Action” is complete. As we move from left to right, the columns tend to thin out. Of course, I must admit that there is a degree of arbitrariness about this, but, be assured, I have not just cooked up this table to suit myself. The simple reality is that this text contains 5 clear imperatives (commands).¹ In other words, Paul is commanding we Christians to action. He is not simply saying, “Hey Christians, the war is spiritual, kick back, take it easy, the Lord has it under control!” No, not even close. On the contrary, as we have noted, Paul is more like a general who, giving his soldiers marching orders, directs them to the armoury so that they are in possession of the essential equipment that will enable them to fight effectively in the face of the opposition.

Analysis of this passage shows that Paul’s priority is that of urging / commanding the Christian to action. He then directs them unto their God, explaining that He is the Armoury and that they must derive their power and weaponry from Him, and in particular, His Spirit. Then they are given instruction as to how and why these weapons should be used. Last, Paul mentions the enemy in the heavenly realm. In other words, Paul’s emphasis from greatest to least is something like: 1. The Christians has a responsibility to fight. It is an “ought” not a choice; 2. The Christian’s power comes from Almighty God, and no other source; 3. This power is to be wielded in the service of Jesus Christ as He marshals His troop to defeat His Father’s enemies; 4. God, in Trinity, along with all His children have enemies in the heavenly realms.

The Christian’s warfare is spiritual, little “s”. It is so because, as we have seen, the Scriptures’ consistent message is that our battle involves another realm, a spiritual realm. The Christians warfare is also Spiritual, big “S” – sorry for the trip back to primary school! It is so because we are redeemed in Jesus Christ and our power source is nothing less than the Spirit of God and of Jesus sent into the world to enable God’s redeemed to fight and to win (John 16:5-15, 33; Romans 12:21; 1 John2:12-14).²

We need to understand the difference between our big and little esses. Most today speak of spiritual warfare in terms of the little “s”. If we, as Christians, get stuck at this point, then we may as well give up. For who of us is able of himself to war against spirits? However, Paul’s point is not to focus our attention upon spirits in the heavenly places, though this he does, but it is more to focus the Christians attention on big “S” theology. The Christian can and must engage in this battle precisely because we partake of a greater power by which flesh, blood, and spirits can be defeated. What are Paul’s opening words in Ephesians 6? “Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might!” To use the beautiful old word, “Whose panoply is the Christian to carry?” It is God’s!

The Christian is to fight precisely because he has access to the very armoury of heaven in which are stored all the weapons necessary to “ka-thump” and “ka-pow” all of God’s and our enemies, no matter what their form. We are partakers of the power of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-5; Ephesians 1:18-23). Understand well that this is not mere bravado; an attempt to gee–up my brethren despite reality. Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus has “disarmed” rulers and authorities. Therefore, Scripture gives us two sound reasons to engage in Christian Warfare: a) Christ has disarmed rulers and authorities; b) We are partakers of the power of the age to come. It is for this reason that Paul’s counsel is consistent. Consider 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

With this said, it is now appropriate to make the point about our struggle being with flesh and blood. Scripture is clear. It speaks as one on the issue of spiritual warfare. However, as we have noted, New Testament Christians, have relegated “flesh and blood” to the sidelines. They have failed to grasp the import of Paul’s argument with the necessary consequence that any emphasis upon man has been diminished or dismissed.

Two reasons for this can be adduced.

The first is primarily due to our infatuation with the Greeks and a tendency to introduce dualism into our theology.

Dualism is a philosophy which divides body and soul. Intrinsic to this belief is the idea that the flesh is evil, while the spirit is good or pure. Dualism has plagued the Church throughout its history and I would posit that it is again making a nuisance of itself. It is through an incipient Dualism that we have this misunderstanding in spiritual warfare. The spirit is conceived of as good and pure and the only thing of worth, whereas the body is evil. When viewed this way, man is in need of jettisoning his evil cocoon so that he can become the spiritual “butterfly”.

Equally, it has the consequence of causing men to think that the body is of less worth than the spirit and that, therefore, the emphasis should lie elsewhere, namely, in the spiritual realm. It is for this reason today that many Christians refuse to take a stand on politics, for instance. In their view, Politics belongs to this world. It is earthly and unspiritual. Consequently, they choose to deal with only the spiritual and, therefore, the significant, rather than the corporeal and insignificant – as they would understand it.

To this type of theology we must respectfully reply in the most erudite of expressions along the lines of “Bah! Humbug!” To believe as outlined is simply to deny or grossly misunderstand the teachings of Scripture. Nowhere, and I do mean “Nowhere”, on the pages of Scripture will you find a jot or a tittle that in anyway specifies or emphasises a dualism in man that promotes one part above another or relegates one dimension of his being to the garbage can.

Whilst the Bible does note that man is made up of dimensions, those dimensions are never bifurcated, relegated, or exalted. Man is always conceived of as a whole. This is God’s design. Hence, to teach otherwise is blasphemy. Even when we encounter texts that, as noted, highlight different dimensions, they never separate those dimensions. Consider the following:

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Here, we clearly see what I have labelled ‘dimensions’. Man has heart, soul, and might.³ Is man divided? No. The command here is to “love God with all”. In short, every dimension of our person is to be brought together as a whole to love God. Man as a man, in all his being, is to love God.

The second reason for a failure to properly grasp the concept of Christian Warfare stems from our lack of understanding with regard to Biblical word usage. In Scripture, many words take on a specialised meaning or usage. As interpreters, we need to make certain decisions about the form of the word and its meaning. Take, as an example, the word for “world”. In Scripture, this word has shades of meaning. The world is that thing on which we stand; it is the realm of men; and it is the thought process that is opposed to the rule of God. Therefore, when we are commanded – in Biblical paraphrase – to be in the world but not of the world, we will be greatly perplexed if we do not grasp these nuances. In fact, many are perplexed and evasive of the “world” because they have not grasped these nuances. So, as Christians, we are to live in this world – stand on the rotating orb and join the realm of men – but we are not to be of this world – hold to a philosophic mindset that opposes God’s rule.

The same is true of the Greek word for flesh. This term can refer to that filling that is stuffed under your skin and which hangs on your bones. It means the content of your Sunday roast! It can mean you as a person – “This is me, in the flesh!” It also means, particularly in Paul’s writings, that sin soaked instrument which works contrary to the will of God and as an expression of fallen human nature.

Consequently, we must be aware of these nuances, lest we go astray.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, quoted previously, we see the term “flesh” used three times. If we go back to verse 2, we will see a further use. To understand Paul’s argument, we need to start in verse two, as this first use sets the tone for the subsequent usages. It is apparent that Paul has his detractors. Some are obviously suggesting that Paul’s actions are fleshly, that is, worldly and inappropriate for a Christian. Hence, he is accused of walking “according to the flesh”.

Paul then speaks of “walking in the flesh”, but not “warring according to the flesh”. To give understanding, may I draw your attention to the critical point. Four times, “flesh” is used. Please note, however, that the term “according to” is used only twice. This is extremely important. To walk according to the flesh is wrong. To walk in the flesh, is not.

Thus, Paul, having been accused of “walking according to the flesh”, repudiates this criticism and hints at dealing with its propagators when he arrives in the flesh – sorry, could not resist. He then goes on to acknowledge that even though he walks as a man, in the flesh, his warfare is not according to the flesh.

In paraphrase, we may render it like this: ‘I do not walk as the ungodly, governed by sin. Even though I live as a man, I do not war as the ungodly, for the weapons of my warfare bear no resemblance to those of the ungodly, being furnished by God.’

Properly understood, Paul joins himself to these “divinely appointed weapons”. He uses them in the flesh and against the flesh.

For understanding, let us turn to Scripture:

• (Acts 13:4-12) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
• (Matthew 16:22-23) And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.
• (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• (Romans 6:12-13) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
• (Galatians 2:11) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
• (2 Timothy 3:8) And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.
• (Mark 11:15-18) And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers‘ den.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for all the multitude was astonished at His teaching.

Whilst these verses cover a wide range of topics and people, they all have one thing in common – the body. Please, see this. In the first text, Paul seeks to witness. He is opposed by a man, a false prophet. This man sought to destroy Paul’s witness. So Paul fights back. Note well that he did not simply ‘curse the darkness’; no, he went to war with the man that opposed him. This he did in the power of the Holy Spirit, thus it was Spiritual warfare! Yet, his war was with a man in the flesh. Paul did not tell Elymas to stand aside so that he could engage the “spirit” behind him. Nor did Paul seek to exorcise the “spirit” so that old Elymas could be a non-combatant on the sideline. No. Paul engaged the physical enemy in front of him. The false prophet was plunged into darkness. This was a Spiritual war, man on man!

In the second example, we see Jesus rebuking Peter. Jesus had just revealed the ultimate goal of His mission – to die. Peter, no doubt with good intention and thinking that Jesus’ self-esteem was a little low, took it upon himself to rebuke our Lord and give Him encouragement. However, in doing so, he crossed a line and became a stumbling block. I fully believe that Peter took this action with integrity. Peter has just been commended for confessing that Jesus is the Christ. Having rightly identified Messiah, Peter could not think that he had come to die. The problem was that Peter’s integrity was undermined by his failure to understand Messiah’s mission and word. Thus, Jesus rightly opposed him; and He did so in no uncertain terms. Again, man against man or God-man against man. The mindset of Peter was described as demonic, but it was rebuked in the flesh with tangible words.

In the third example, Paul is placing a benediction upon the Thessalonians. He asks that they be sanctified and preserved complete at Jesus coming. Interestingly, he does this by asking that every dimension of man be preserved. Paul wants, spirit, soul, and body preserved and made complete. Do you not find this important? You should. Paul is not willing to place a hierarchy here. Paul is not out to say, “Well look, Thessalonians, I really hope that you can get yourselves into the Kingdom in a complete fashion. However, if you think you are struggling, give up on the body. It is a worthless cocoon that can be abandoned. Concentrate on saving your soul and the spiritual.” On the contrary, Paul’s theology reflects that taught elsewhere in Scripture. Man is united in his being and all these aspects must be and will be perfected in Jesus Christ.

The fourth example is placed for emphasis. If the body is not important, why is Paul so keen to teach that the body must reflect redemption? If the soul is saved and the body unimportant, why does Paul waste words encouraging Christians to cease using their bodies as instruments of sin?

The fifth example sees two Apostles engaged in a confrontation. One rebukes the poor behaviour of the other. (Positive Spiritual Warfare?)

The sixth example, gives us great insight. It is a New Testament text citing that which happened in the Old Testament. In this action we see the unity of the Scripture’s teaching. We know well that Moses was opposed by Pharaoh’s magicians. Here, again, we see that there was obviously a greater power at work on both sides. Yet, we also see that man opposed man. Paul takes this historical battle and uses it to illustrate the nature of the battle in his day and into the last days – that is, into our day. Even the Apostle’s command to “avoid such men” (v5) is instructive. Again, note well that Paul does not address himself in this section to dealing with “evil spirits”. What is Paul’s remedy? You should know it well! “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Yes, Paul did mention the “snare of the devil” in 2:26, however, in chapter three, Paul does not resort to a teaching about “evil spirits” or “demons” or any such. He tells us, as he told Timothy, to be equipped for every good work by believing and acting upon God’s word. Please note that our “being equipped for every good work” involves “rebuke, correction and training”. In other words, Paul instructs us to a human action, both to ourselves (equipping) and to those who oppose (rebuking). We are to read, study, and know God’s word! In short, Paul requires of us Holy Spirit powered human action to God’s armoury to be clothed in God’s armour in order to maintain Christ likeness!

The last example is one that is deliberately forgotten by most Christians. Just as Luther labelled the Book of James as the “epistle of straw” because he did not like its contents, so many Christians seem to wish that this passage was not in their Bible. Nonetheless, the Spirit authored Scripture tells us that Jesus went into the temple, made a whip, and drove out those who were denigrating His Father’s house. Why did Jesus do this? Surely, of all men, Jesus knew that the warfare was spiritual. Why did He not simply curse the darkness? Why did He not order Michael onto the spiritual scene to war with the demons that were moving these men? Such questions cannot be answered if an unBiblical position on Christian Warfare is adopted – for there is absolutely no justification for Jesus, or any of the others mentioned here, to have opposed men. However, if we are willing to see what the Bible teaches in its fullness –namely, that we are enjoined to a spiritual war that manifests itself in the flesh – then Jesus’ actions make full and complete sense. To oppose an evil man is to engage in spiritual warfare. To oppose the man who opposes Christ, is to engage in spiritual warfare. Equally, the Son of God clearing out the temple by force was nothing less than an act of warfare – Christian Warfare, Spiritual Warfare!

Footnotes:

1. There ar 6 if you count the ‘double duty’ in verse 17. There are also a significant number of participles, which may also take the force of the main verb making them imperatival in nature.

2. I hope to pick up the theme of victory later. For now, please begin to think it. Jesus did not come into this world for defeat. He came for victory. He came to conquer. Scripture says that Jesus is currently suppressing and defeating God’s enemies so that He may present the Kingdom to God. This is a positive message.

3. Interestingly, the New Testament quotations of this passage also add ‘mind’ (Mark 12:29-30).