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2007-07-22 04:37:55 · 27 answers · asked by 8 2 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

“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.”

2007-07-22 04:42:41 · update #1

Ephesians 6:12

2007-07-22 04:49:15 · update #2

27 answers

Under inspiration the apostle tells us as Christ’s followers that we do not fight against flesh and blood and that our weapons are not carnal. We are consecrated priests not subject to militarization to take a violent part in the battle of Armageddon. But carrying on our priestly duties even into the midst of that “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” we shall be harmless bystanders, joyful spectators of how Jehovah God and his angelic hosts under Jesus Christ will fight the victorious battle against the Devil’s organization, visible and invisible.

The sum of that argument means that we are engaged in a spiritual fight. It is a SPIRITUAL WARFARE to which we are sanctified. We are enlisted in a spiritual army in a theocratic war, and our Commander is the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and he is the one we have to please by obedience and imitation. The apostle Paul, writing the young man Timothy, made that point clear by telling him, “As a right kind of soldier of Christ Jesus take your part in suffering evil. No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order that he may meet the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:3, 4)

It is the approval of Christ Jesus that we are obliged to meet, for he has enrolled us in the theocratic army and we are ‘soldiers of Christ Jesus’ and we must show ourselves the right kind by suffering evil for his sake.

Jesus Christ our Commander said: “No one can be a slave to two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other.” (Matt. 6:24) As soldiers of Jesus Christ we are engaged in a sacred warfare “against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places” and we must continue to preach the good news of God’s kingdom that the light of the good news may put to rout the forces of darkness. The efforts of Christendom’s rulers to religionize their wars, calling them “crusades” and other such catchy names, does not alter the case for Jehovah’s priesthood. By thus trying to religionize their combats the rulers are setting up an establishment of religion. They are dictating religiously to those who should have the freedom of conscience to choose their own religion or the freedom to choose to follow Jehovah’s Word and guide their conscience by his Word. Respecting an establishing of one religion and prohibiting the practice of another the apostle Peter and his fellow apostles said to the Jewish High Court: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”(Acts 5:29).

Spiritual warfare is a constant battle against evil spirit forces that intrude on our daily lives to 'persuade' us to give in to the things that will hurt us and that will jeopardize our position with Jehovah God. Willfully sinning is an example of giving in to wicked temptions and not fighting that spiritual warfare influence that one has given into. Weigh and measure, along with constant Bible study and association with true Christians helps one keep the powerful spiritual suit of armor about oneself resisting wickedness and it's entrapment.

2007-07-22 04:47:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4 1

Spiritual warfare means this to me: I'm aware that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). As a Christian, I realize my place and responsibility is to fight-- on my knees. I am to intercede for(pray on behalf of) others. I am to pray by the leading of and praying in the Holy Spirit. I am to pray for God's Will to be done. I am aware and realize that the devil is defeated and I am aware of his wicked devices. I am called to pray as other Christians are. I have a responsibility to edify (build up, encourage) others in the body of Christ. I also have a responsibility to witness and bring others to Christ so they can know their place and position in the body of Christ.

2007-07-22 12:01:14 · answer #2 · answered by Pnthr wmn 4 · 5 1

It means a fight or mostly struggle against evil or confusion for they are the same thing.and not a fight with the powers of darkness but with living humans.Evil found mans greatest weakness as he is easily distracted and confused. Our war is aways against ideas our brothers believe.If not we would all be united rather than segregated to our current status.
No our struggle is definitely against flesh and blood and the confusion of it, which I see and hear everyday. I know evil presents the confusion constantly, but humans incubate, nourish and disperse it. And yes it has reached high places for it has reached all places to some degree, If we weren't all confused people in high places would be powerless.

2007-07-22 12:18:00 · answer #3 · answered by sir wayne 4 · 1 1

With these bodies we are often blind of that spiritual warfare. That is why we must be carful to recognize that this is a battle in which we do not "wrestle against flesh and blood," but against the powers which try to get us to fight against one another.

2007-07-22 15:06:18 · answer #4 · answered by †ServantofGod† 3 · 4 1

Spiritual warfare is very real. So we must learn to recognize how the dark systems of the devil work. But more than that, we must learn the processes of overcoming the systems of the devil not by flesh and blood, not by joining committees, not by political action, not by taking up assault weapons and attacking a human enemy. No, Paul says in the verse you quoted, the weapons of our warfare are not flesh and blood weapons, not physical weapons, not political weapons. Rather, our weapons are mighty, through God, unto the pulling down of strongholds and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

2007-07-22 12:00:16 · answer #5 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 6 2

Raven that was very good! II have never seen that before. Thank you.

Yes, pagans of all sorts are usually acting in self defence rather than being the agressores. We are generally more accepting of diversity in my opinion. What does that tell you?

Blessed are the peace makers...and many of us are pagans!
Have a look at the book 'Misquoteing Jesus'.

Peace to all!

2007-07-24 13:54:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jamie 4 · 0 2

Well, it damn sure doesn't meaning condemning everyone to hell and heaping hate everywhere they go. Warfare in this sense is not about warring with other humans. I'd like to get the person or persons responsible for this load of crap and make them recant before they are hung. They have started a hate unknown since time began and they are doing it in the name of Jesus, a loving and innocent man.

Gandalf: Tell me about it! Great to hear from you again.

LoveChrist: the bible says not against flesh and blood. Read your bible.

Remix: Couldn't' have said it better myself. You are wise.

2007-07-22 11:45:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4 4

Mel.... Unfortunately, being a Christian is NOT walking around with sublime peace and joy and what people think of as "empti-headed weak people needing a crutch" [LoL saw this description of us and had to use it :)]

In order to HAVE "joy" we need to "defend" our joy...

Spiritual Warfare is what the diciples did...and is what EVERY Christian is to do....healing, uplifting people in prayer, comming against demons and delivering them from EACH OTHER, fighting satan on the physical and mental fronts where he tries to enter the strongholds of our Faith, as well as helping those whom do not know God to be able to be freed from some of their bonds (if not all) in order for them to actually be able to think for themselves and choose God or Mammon...

The tools God has given us, especially those that Jesus brought to our attention when He came...such as the Holy Spirit and the subsequent "gifts" weren't brought just because they were "neat", lol...He brought them because of our NEED for them....not just to some, but to ALL whom are God's True Children....

....Yet, too many consider these to be just for "some"... too "messy" for them...too "time consuming" for them... they want the peace and joy and not have to worry about anything or anyone but themselves.

I try to follow all the "basics" if not more on some... and being here among so many practicing with Mammon beliefs, we need to protect ourselves, each other, and pray for those whom are lost right here...

Recently had looked up some sites to help a friend here on R&S, I have felt God's blessings on several, and suggest these for your study: http://demonbusters.com/
and http://christisit.com/

God Bless you all :)

2007-07-22 12:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by ForeverSet 5 · 2 2

Today it is manifest it Iraq, Afghanistan, and the surrounding lands. The minions permeate the entire planet. Spiritual battles are real battles can be coexistent as Elisha showed

2007-07-22 11:49:40 · answer #9 · answered by lordkelvin 7 · 3 3

I don't think we even get to that level much. I see the battle within me. The programming we get and loose ourselves at two or three is hard to get around.

2007-07-22 11:50:28 · answer #10 · answered by hb12 7 · 2 1

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