November 16, 2007

• Bible Reading: The War We Fight-from Ephesians, Martin Luther and YouTube

  I have thinking quite a lot about spiritual warfare lately. I have begun a study of Nancy Leigh DeMoss' "Lies Women Believe," the first part of which examines the person, tactics and schemes of Satan. I just finished reading Martyn Lloyd-Jones' "The Christian Warfare: An Exposition on Ephesians 6:10-13)": "the more Christian we become and are, the more we can expect to be attacked by the devil" (p. 96). In Alan Redpath's "Blessings out of Buffetings," Redpath devotes one chapter to "The Transformation of the Devil": "It is upon the Christian church, for his [the devil's] only enemy really is the divine nature, Jesus Christ, who only lives in born-again people. Therefore Satan's first and priority target is the church of Jesus Christ" (p. 196). No wonder Paul writes to the Ephesians of spiritual warfare:

  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
  

  -Ephesians 6:10-13

  Although we will be engaged in this war until the Father has put all things under Christ's feet, we can praise God that He has given us His armor to put on and that His Son Jesus Christ is on our side in the battle!

  Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress Is Our God "has been called 'the greatest hymn of the greatest man of the greatest period of German history' and the 'Battle Hymn of the Reformation.'"[1]
  

  A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
  Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
  For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
  His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
  On earth is not his equal.
  
  Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
  Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
  Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
  Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
  And He must win the battle.
  
  And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
  We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
  The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
  His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
  One little word shall fell him.
  
  That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
  The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
  Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
  The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
  His kingdom is forever.
  

  A friend had sent me an earlier version of this video about spiritual warfare. (Thanks, A.) If I had not been thinking about spiritual warfare prior to watching it, I might not have thought so much of it. I encourage you to watch it all the way through.

  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
  

  -Romans 16:20
  
  

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  [1] Quote and hymn text from: http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/i/mightyfo.htm.

  Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.

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