Spiritual Ignorance (Part 5)
The early Church viewed their spiritual experience in terms of warfare. The Apostle Paul told Timothy 1 Timothy 1:18:
"This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them might war a good warfare."
Protection is described as the "armor of God." The Word of God is compared to a "sword." Satan's attacks are fiery darts and faith is the "good fight." Believers are told to "war a good warfare."
Why did God choose the example of natural warfare to describe what is happening in the spirit world between the forces of good and evil? God uses natural principles to explain what is happening in the spirit world. You are able to understand what you see in the natural world. So when parallels are drawn between something in the natural world and the spiritual world, you can understand the spiritual because of your understanding of the natural.
Jesus often used this principle of natural and spiritual parallels to illustrate important truths. For example, He used a natural harvest field to illustrate the great spiritual harvest to which He was calling laborers. There are many parallels between natural and spiritual harvesting.
The same is true in relation to spiritual warfare. There are many principles of natural warfare which have been studied and applied by military experts. These principles are also applicable in the spiritual world. So let's look at some principles of natural warfare and apply them in the spiritual realm.
A simple definition of warfare in the natural world is "an act of force intended to compel an opponent to fulfill your will." This definition is applicable also in the spiritual world. Satan is constantly using the forces of evil to compel you to fulfill his will.
The objective of warfare in the natural world is victory over the enemy. This is also the main objective in the spiritual world. To achieve victory in natural warfare, there are many short-range objectives that must be accomplished. Individual battles must be won and separate territories claimed. Each of these individual battles contribute to the final goal of victory.
The same is true in the spirit world. Your long-range goal is victory over the enemy, but you must break down this long-range goal into more specific objectives. You must know the objectives God has for you in spiritual warfare in your family, your church fellowship, your community, and your nation. You must identify the specific territory assigned to you for conquest and continuously battle for your destiny.
Why did God choose the example of natural warfare to describe what is happening in the spirit world between the forces of good and evil? God uses natural principles to explain what is happening in the spirit world. You are able to understand what you see in the natural world. So when parallels are drawn between something in the natural world and the spiritual world, you can understand the spiritual because of your understanding of the natural.
Jesus often used this principle of natural and spiritual parallels to illustrate important truths. For example, He used a natural harvest field to illustrate the great spiritual harvest to which He was calling laborers. There are many parallels between natural and spiritual harvesting.
The same is true in relation to spiritual warfare. There are many principles of natural warfare which have been studied and applied by military experts. These principles are also applicable in the spiritual world. So let's look at some principles of natural warfare and apply them in the spiritual realm.
A simple definition of warfare in the natural world is "an act of force intended to compel an opponent to fulfill your will." This definition is applicable also in the spiritual world. Satan is constantly using the forces of evil to compel you to fulfill his will.
The objective of warfare in the natural world is victory over the enemy. This is also the main objective in the spiritual world. To achieve victory in natural warfare, there are many short-range objectives that must be accomplished. Individual battles must be won and separate territories claimed. Each of these individual battles contribute to the final goal of victory.
The same is true in the spirit world. Your long-range goal is victory over the enemy, but you must break down this long-range goal into more specific objectives. You must know the objectives God has for you in spiritual warfare in your family, your church fellowship, your community, and your nation. You must identify the specific territory assigned to you for conquest and continuously battle for your destiny.
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