Spiritual Warfare

[Episkopos]

They say that the first casualty of war is the truth. Where it comes to warfare in the Spirit, are we involving ourselves as part of the solution, or part of the problem? Do we know ourselves? Do we know the nature of the warfare? Join me in this episode as the battle lines are clearly delineated.

 

[Behold]

Here you go..
-
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

English Standard Version
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Berean Standard Bible
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Berean Literal Bible
because to us the wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

King James Bible
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

New King James Version
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

Amplified Bible
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

Christian Standard Bible
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

American Standard Version
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

[Ritajanice]

Spiritual Warfare in the Apostle Paul Within 6:10–12 of Ephesians, Paul addresses spiritual warfare and how to combat spiritual attacks; "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

 

[Episkopos]

Spiritualizing away the things of God and being spiritual in Christ are not compatible. One is fighting against the other for supremacy in the church. The flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. The flesh puts on a religious certainty to combat faith. And that which is of faith opposes religious certainty.

Who can tell the difference?

 

[Behold]

Spiritualizing away the things of God and being spiritual in Christ are not compatible.

Your Thread is regarding "Spiritual Warfare" so, if you can not post the same "Higher walk in Zion, outer man" redundant, over and over, endless repetitious theology, .. on this Thread, and you've done on all the others...... vs discussing the actual Thread's Topic....

Think you can do it ?

 

[Hepzibah]

They say that the first casualty of war is the truth. Where it comes to warfare in the Spirit, are we involving ourselves as part of the solution, or part of the problem? Do we know ourselves? Do we know the nature of the warfare? Join me in this episode as the battle lines are clearly delineated.

Like most of it.

HOWEVER, I disagree on your understanding of Philippians 3 and so does Adam Clarke:

Verse 12. Not as though I had already attained. For I have not yet received the prize; for I have not finished my course; and I have a conflict still to maintain, and the issue will prove whether I should be crowned. From the beginning of the 11th to the end of the 17th verse there is one continued allusion to the contests at the Olympic Games; exercises with which, and their laws, the Philippians were well acquainted. Philippians 3:11-17

"Either were already perfect: nor am I yet perfect; I am not yet crowned, in consequence of having suffered martyrdom. I am quite 1satisfied that the apostle here alludes to the Olympic Games, and the word is the proof; for is spoken of those who have completed their race, reached the goal, and are honoured with the prize. Thus it is used by Philo, Allegorical. Lib. iii. Page 101, edit. Mangey: "When is it, O soul, that thou shall appear to have the victory? Is it not when thou shall be perfected, (have completed thy course by death,) and be honoured with prizes and crowns?"

That signified martyrdom, we learn most expressly from Clemens Alexandra., Stomata, and lib. iii. Page 480, where he has these remarkable words: - "We call martyrdom or perfection, not because man receives it as the end, completion of life; but because it is the consummation of the work of charity."

Paul is saying that he has not attained yet, the prize and high calling of his life which is martyrdom, not perfection as in entire sanctification. The early church taught that this was the crown.

Because you believe this way, that Paul was speaking at times in the 'lower walk' you will never strive to be restored to the higher walk, your mind will say okay if it was okay for Paul than I will just wait for it. The devil will say that.

 

[Ritajanice]

Spiritual attacks are designed to turn you away from what God wants to do in your life.

Never take our eyes and ears off of God!...that has to be learnt in our spirit....it sure don’t come easy, we’re in a spiritual battle!.....it’s gets easier as we mature and grow in Christ....who brings it all to our understanding...in “ HIS” timing......I didn’t even know what spiritual warfare was as a newly birthed spirit child...only the Spirit can teach us such spiritual matters.


Short commentary.

. Prayer is personal dependence on God, and every part of armor that we've talked about must be interwoven with prayer. Turning to God is personal, dependent prayer at the beginning of each day and in the intervals between your daily situationsis crucial to effective spiritual warfare.

 

[Behold]

So, when understanding the "Spiritual Warfare"..

Its really just 2 Things..

One, the Believer, born again, has to understand that they are in a spiritual warfare, and this warfare is not just trying to be a good disciple.

Two.....its literally, The Devil's world system, and the Demonic forces, combined, that want to confuse you, ruin you, and kill you.

Reader, The Devil knows that He can't take you to Hell, because He can't stop you from being Born again, as its already happened, (if you are born again) ... = but He can try to deceive you, and destroy you.

God says... "Here is my Armor"...."Put it on"...Ephesians 6..... and wear it every day, to DEFEAT the Devil's attacks that come as many things, and the first one is to try to ruin your faith.

Now, the one way you help the devil, is to try to resist Him by self effort.

The NT says to "resist the devil and he will flee from you", and that does not mean, "grit your teeth, and try not to do that carnal deed again".
No, we are to resist the Devil by being aware (Discernment) regarding what He is trying to do, most of all, and that is, to ruin your faith... He wants you to be deceived into some man made theology, some man made belief system, and then you stay there for life... deceived.
That is His Job #1, and if He can do that to you, then you are DONE.

This is why Hebrews 13:9 shows you that a "doctrine of devils" is going to get you, if you do not obey this verse, regarding what it tells you to do with your HEART.

And what is that?
You have to understand what it means to have become.. "eternally forgiven", and established "in Christ", as a "New Creation".

And that has nothing to do with trying to keep law, and commandments, and trying to work your way into heaven.

So, We have to have RIGHT FAITH, regarding the correct understanding of "who we have become IN CHRIST"< as a "Heir of God", and a "Joint Heir with Jesus"., which is all the born again eternally become := the "New Creation In Christ".
We have to see ourselves in this correct MIND, as that is the "Helmet of Salvation" and if that is not ON YOU, then the rest of the spiritual Armor of God, wont help you.

 

[Hepzibah]

We resist the devil when we are tempted to sin, but stand firm in our faith and believe Jude who tells us that God provides a way to avoid the temptation to sin. It is all about trying to make us sin.

 

[Ritajanice]

Short commentary.

It's living out the truth of Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Each day you choose to stand firm in your faith, resist the devil's lies, and rely on God's strength, you are experiencing victory in spiritual warfare.


More than Conquerors
(Psalm 44:1–26)

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

“For Your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”g

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Episkopos]

Like most of it.

HOWEVER, I disagree on your understanding of Philippians 3 and so does Adam Clarke:

And I'm sure the disagreement extends farther beyond the two of you. ;)

Verse 12. Not as though I had already attained. For I have not yet received the prize; for I have not finished my course;

You are misunderstanding Pauls' words...a common thing to do.

and I have a conflict still to maintain, and the issue will prove whether I should be crowned. From the beginning of the 11th to the end of the 17th verse there is one continued allusion to the contests at the Olympic Games; exercises with which, and their laws, the Philippians were well acquainted. Philippians 3:11-17

The early church fathers saw themselves as athletes in a race.

"Either were already perfect: nor am I yet perfect; I am not yet crowned, in consequence of having suffered martyrdom. I am quite 1satisfied that the apostle here alludes to the Olympic Games, and the word is the proof; for is spoken of those who have completed their race, reached the goal, and are honoured with the prize. Thus it is used by Philo, Allegorical. Lib. iii. Page 101, edit. Mangey: "When is it, O soul, that thou shall appear to have the victory? Is it not when thou shall be perfected, (have completed thy course by death,) and be honoured with prizes and crowns?"

That signified martyrdom, we learn most expressly from Clemens Alexandra., Stomata, and lib. iii. Page 480, where he has these remarkable words: - "We call martyrdom or perfection, not because man receives it as the end, completion of life; but because it is the consummation of the work of charity."

Paul is saying that he has not attained yet, the prize and high calling of his life which is martyrdom, not perfection as in entire sanctification. The early church taught that this was the crown.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect (at this time in present): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

It's too easy to misunderstand Paul. The high calling is into the higher walk. People today only think in terms of an after life where the kingdom of God is concerned. But to win Christ, or apprehend Christ is not about a physical death.

We see the same misinterpretation happening when Paul speaks of being present or absent from the Lord. Also when Paul speaks of death. Is death only a physical thing? Or does it also cover a spiritual death. So the bible needs to be understood in it's own context. Sure there is an eternity beyond this life. But the athlete doesn't run after a physical death. Think about it.

Because you believe this way, that Paul was speaking at times in the 'lower walk' you will never strive to be restored to the higher walk,

False. I am also an athlete who is running in the race of faith. I don't think you are understanding the importance of training in the lower walk. Lessons are learned in the lower walk that helps us to last in the higher walk. It's like a minor leaguer in training to be "called up" to the majors.

People miss the scale of the calling.

your mind will say okay if it was okay for Paul than I will just wait for it. The devil will say that.

No. It's the other way around. I am helped to know that one failure doesn't mean that God is finished with me. There is a training by going in and out of the higher walk in the Spirit...a few times until one learns the secret of remaining. I say this from an excerpt of a sermon by John Wesley...who said that the most spiritual man he ever met went in and out of the Spirit 5 times before learning the secret of remaining there.

Only those who actually walked in the higher walk in holiness can attest to that kind of training. My own hope is that in the Lord's time, and when I'm ready, I will be translated once again into the kingdom realm of His Dear Son.

Your own fears and ideas aside from all that... I know what I'm about. :)

 

[Episkopos]

We resist the devil when we are tempted to sin, but stand firm in our faith and believe Jude who tells us that God provides a way to avoid the temptation to sin. It is all about trying to make us sin.

In the lower walk we struggle against sin...by an effort of the will. And we can do well by learning self-control...building up our defenses against sin. I'm not against this except one will NEVER conquer sin in this way.

Instead God has made a provision in Christ whereby the battle is the Lords'. That provision is by grace through faith as we abide in Christ in the higher walk of a full victory, in Christ's perfection and holiness.

It is the best kept secret both in the world...and the church.

 

[Hepzibah]

And I'm sure the disagreement extends farther beyond the two of you. ;)

Yes it was also the early teaching and the Holiness Movement teaching.

You are misunderstanding Pauls' words...a common thing to do.

I always ask myself, which version will be of benefit to Satan?

The early church fathers saw themselves as athletes in a race.

Yes and the goal was martrydom. This was their high calling.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect (at this time in present): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

It's too easy to misunderstand Paul. The high calling is into the higher walk. People today only think in terms of an after life where the kingdom of God is concerned. But to win Christ, or apprehend Christ is not about a physical death.

Paul would not have been in his position as chief apostle if he was still in training nor would he be telling others to imitate him..

We see the same misinterpretation happening when Paul speaks of being present or absent from the Lord. Also when Paul speaks of death. Is death only a physical thing? Or does it also cover a spiritual death. So the bible needs to be understood in it's own context. Sure there is an eternity beyond this life. But the athlete doesn't run after a physical death. Think about it.



False. I am also an athlete who is running in the race of faith. I don't think you are understanding the importance of training in the lower walk. Lessons are learned in the lower walk that helps us to last in the higher walk. It's like a minor leaguer in training to be "called up" to the majors.

I have undergone much training in the lower walk. The aim is the higher walk and again Paul would not have been in the lower walk and leading churches where spiritual warfare is so important and being in the power of God.

People miss the scale of the calling.

No. It's the other way around. I am helped to know that one failure doesn't mean that God is finished with me. There is a training by going in and out of the higher walk in the Spirit...a few times until one learns the secret of remaining. I say this from an excerpt of a sermon by John Wesley...who said that the most spiritual man he ever met went in and out of the Spirit 5 times before learning the secret of remaining there.

I have already agreed with this point which you seem to have forgotten

Only those who actually walked in the higher walk in holiness can attest to that kind of training. My own hope is that in the Lord's time, and when I'm ready, I will be translated once again into the kingdom realm of His Dear Son.

Your own fears and ideas aside from all that... I know what I'm about. :)

If you are not seeking it with your whole self then you will settle in your lees.

 

[Ritajanice]

Short commentary.for @Behold

I understand all of this....

What is high calling in the Bible?
The high calling of God is not just an ordinary call but a special call from Heaven. It requires going beyond what may be considered acceptable and into a life of total surrender to the will of God. You must be willing to suffer, to endure all things and to pay any price for Christ's name's sake.

 

[Behold]

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect (at this time in present): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Try reading verse 11 in a bible, that is one verse in front of yours, that isn't in your commentary.... and you'll discover... that Your verse is Paul referring to not yet attained to the Rapture....or the "resurrection from the DEAD"/

He's not talking about not having attained perfected discipleship.

 

[Episkopos]

Yes it was also the early teaching and the Holiness Movement teaching.


I always ask myself, which version will be of benefit to Satan?

Exactly, that's a good measuring stick. If there is no hope of attaining Christ in this life, then all we are left with is a people who do NOTHING in regard to seeking God's face as they wait to die. Satan doesn't want live saints.

Yes and the goal was martrydom. This was their high calling.

No. The high calling was and is to WIN CHRIST. To apprehend that for which we have been apprehended IN Christ.

So you are stuck in a physical world of understanding.

Paul would not have been in his position as chief apostle if he was still in training nor would he be telling others to imitate him..

Paul said that even if a man gives himself over to martyrdom...without love, he is nothing. Paul had his priorities right. He was aftere the walk in the love of Christ...the higher walk.

Read more carefully.

I have undergone much training in the lower walk. The aim is the higher walk and again Paul would not have been in the lower walk and leading churches where spiritual warfare is so important and being in the power of God.

So you are contradicting yourself here. Paul' testimony is one of failure before he learned the secret of life in Christ. And He testifies of a walk both in God's presence and away from Him...both.

Paul says...sin revived and I died. A person without spiritual experience will NOT understand what Paul is talking about.

I have already agreed with this point which you seem to have forgotten


If you are not seeking it with your whole self then you will settle in your lees.

Yes and no. It is possible to forego seeking God...and fall asleep. But an athlete will run whether he is in the race or not. He will train. In between every Olympics there are 4 years of training. So then I train.

If I listen to people they would discourage me from being an athlete for God..saying I'm trying to be saved "by works".

Do I take people seriously? Not at all. I know the race I'm in...whether I do it alone or not. It just seems that so few even know what I'm talking about.

 

[Behold]

What is high calling in the Bible?

Its not "walking in Zion, having subdued the outer man".....

Paul described his pursuit to be found in the "resurrection from the Dead".

This is verse 11, that is the context of verse 12, in Philippians 3.

He's talking about attaining to the "Resurrection"......, and says, he has not yet attained this "high calling".

"that i might attain to the RESURRECTION">.. = "the High Calling"...

 

[Episkopos]

Try reading verse 11 in a bible, that is one verse in front of yours, that isn't in your commentary.... and you'll discover... that Your verse is Paul referring to not yet attained to the Rapture....or the "resurrection from the DEAD"/

He's not talking about not having attained perfected discipleship.

If that was the case then speaking to those who are already perfected...he would be speaking to dead corpses.

" Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you Phil. 3:15

In your view Paul wants dead people to have a certain mind? And then this...

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Do you read this as those who are only half-dead?

 

[Ritajanice]

Its not "walking in Zion, having subdued the outer man".....

Whatever that means..lol.

 

[Episkopos]

Its not "walking in Zion, having subdued the outer man".....

But ye have come unto Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Again is the author writing to dead people? You have come....