A Spiritual Battle – Part 2

Continuing Michael's message, he writes that there is a record in the Old Testament of a behind the scenes look at the spiritual battle.  This record is in  2 Kings 6:8-17, Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The Syrian king thought that there was a spy within his camp who was telling the king's war plans to Israel their enemy. One of the king's men advised him that the prophet named Elisha was telling Israel the king's battle plan even down to the details he discussed in his bed chamber. The king sent his great army to intercept the prophet. The prophet's servant panicked. Elisha said to his servant, "the forces that are with us are more than the forces that are with them." Then Elisha prayed that God would open his servant's eyes so that he could see God's vast heavenly host ready to fight the battle on Israel's behalf.

In Ephesians 6:14-18, Paul by revelation gave the church specifics about the invisible spiritual battle and the weapons of our spiritual warfare. What does it mean to have your loins girt about with truth?  This is a reference to the "belt of truth." In preparation for battle, a Roman soldier would take the four corners of his tunic and tuck them into his belt so that he could run to the battle lines. This was called "girding up your loins." The belt held the sheath for the soldier's dagger. This belt also kept the breastplate tight and held the shield in position so that the soldiers on the front lines could "lock shields" in a defensive position. The belt was like a tool belt that held the soldier's weapons of warfare.

The main tactic of the battle plan is "Know your enemy." Our first offense in the spiritual battle is the Word of God. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual to the pulling down of spiritual strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Worldly weapons are considered "common sense." However, the very next verse says spiritual weapons are uncommon: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The battle is not against people or worldly circumstances and situations. The battle is truly spiritual. To those who walk according to the spirit and not according to the flesh, everything is spiritual. The battle is to uphold the truth of the Word of God for the glory of God. The Word of God is truth and our Lord Jesus Christ is the meaning of “the Word”, for he said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father except by me." 

The battle lines have been drawn in our culture, our nation, our churches and our worldly institutions. The weapons of the world are deception, deceit, strife, contention, doubt, fear, temptation, and compromise. For each of the devil's schemes there is a spiritual tool from the belt of truth of the Word of God to counter them. 

In the midst of the spiritual battle, may we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Your brother in Christ, Michael