Tag Archives: Spiritual warfare

Spiritual Power

Spiritual power is stronger than any other power. It is invincible.

Spiritual power is stronger than any other power. It is invincible.

Everything spiritual is intangible to the physical eyes except for those who are able to spiritually discern them. It is explicable then that David as a shepherd boy was able to single-handedly kill a lion and a bear that threatened his flock. Spiritual power is essentially for the good of mankind while evil power is out to kill and destroy. There is a clear distinction between spiritual and devilish powers. Another related form of power is the physical power which can be employed for either good or bad cause. Obviously, physical power involves strength to lift, push or pull any heavy object. It includes power to wrestle, box or play games. It also involves burning of calories. Spiritual power concerns transcendental energy that uses words of God by faith or belief to become manifest what physical power cannot get done by any means. The body-builder builds body and power to do or perform greater feats than ordinary men. Every boxing, wrestling and other champions tend to possess such power or energy that must be more than their defeated challengers.

The prerequisites for nourishment, growth and development involve food, training and more of self-denial or endurance and application of self to the purpose one resolved to effect. An apprentice must seek to build capacity to become a professional in the trade he is learning. By the same token, the christian seeking to grow spiritually is required to be dedicated and watch the company he keeps. Such company must be saintly in nature in the sense that the deep must be able to call to the deep, so says the bible. While physical food ensures nourishment for body growth, spiritual food makes ones spiritual nourishment and growth very possible. Spiritual food is made up of reading and studying the words of God as well as memorizing bible passages and emulating exemplary characters in the bible. Spiritual food is meant to sustain the life of a christian and grant him immunity against temptations and evil attacks from all adversaries. The workers of iniquity are comparable to physiological “Free Radicals” that are poised to destroy believer’s spiritual cells. Let it be seen as evil communication that destroys good manners. Bad manners in the spiritual realm is sinful and is capable of incurring God’s wrath.

In the days of Moses  while on Mount Sinai, the people could not wait for God they could not see. They got Aaron to create visible god for them. Their worship of man-made god was abominable to God of Israel who had dealt so wondrously well with them. The rejection angered God. Moses had to plead with God to spare their lives or blot him out of existence. Zacchariah 3: 6 “This is the word of God to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts . Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain” In Acts 1: 8 we see how the power and might of God emboldened the disciples to continue the work Jesus started with them in spite of their low estate where the learned rabbis were. “But you shall receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me”. Manifestation of God’s power was seen in Stephen for whom it was written in Acts 6: 8 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” For Pharaoh to “Let my people go”, no physical power or prowess could have been able to let the Israelites depart from Egypt.

Armor of Faith

YAHWEH is the strentgh of the Israelites in battles.

YAHWEH is the strentgh of the Israelites in battles.

Armor generally refers to protective or defensive gear consisting of shield or buckler and helmet as well. They are meant to cover head and face and chest or torso mainly against arrow, spear club or any other offensive weapons. The concept of armor of faith is metaphorical when used to describe protective or defensive gear against non-physical but spiritual warfare. God or YAHWEH was the source of defence for the Jews Isaiah 57: 17. They are god’s people but to receive God’s protection they need to trigger it off by their faith in and obedience to the laws of God. Whenever they drift off from faith and worship of YAHWEH they fall prey to their enemies that were all over around them. Strong faith and obedience  to God made the walls of Jericho to fall without any physical weapon of war. 

In the New Testament the emphasis is on spiritual warfare that requires the strong armor of God to defend believers. They are constantly being attacked by the devil and its cohorts already defeated on the cross by Christ. To be on God’s winning side, believers must always put on the full armor of God made up of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and better still the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God Ephesians 6: 14-18, James 4: 7, Matthew 4: 1-11 and 1 Peter 5: 8-9.

Paul in Ephesians 6: 11-13 declared: “Put on the armor of God so that you may take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand”. In view of the foregoing, Warren W. Wiersbe wrote “The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battlefield”.