What does this mean to be a Christian fighter? Whom are we fighting against and how are we supposed to fight?
As a Christian, our battle is not against people neither is trying to gain a geographical territory anymore.
Just as many requirements in the Old Testament were type and shadows of the reality that God intended to bring at the spiritual level, so the physical fighting was replaced by spiritual fighting in the New Testament. We no longer focus on killing a lamb for atonement of our sins because Jesus paid the price as the last and the perfect Lamb of God. God doesn’t require us to circumcise our boys as a sign of God’s covenant, but he is looking for circumcised hearts. In a similar way, the battles we fight are not physical/natural battles anymore. The Lord is looking for us to fight spiritual battles using spiritual weapons. There is the paradigm shift.
Three main areas we need to fight against are:
1. Demonic forces and strongholds
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2Corinthians 10:3-6
Our natural experiences in life cause us to open ourselves up to demonic spirits instead of trusting God. These demonic spirits oppress the life of the believer and hinder them from obeying God and experiencing freedom.
For example, if one has had an unstable childhood, they may be struggling with the spirit of fear and distrust. Whenever something happens that gives the indication of instability and uncertainty, they can move in fear and distrust, and shut down emotionally. These demonic spirits are not going to be counseled to health; neither would our understanding help us to monitor them. We cannot live life compelled by a spirit that holds us bondage to something that happened 30 years ago. We need to take authority over those demonic spirits and cast them out in the name and authority of Jesus.
2. The flesh
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatains 5:19-21
When those character attributes rise in us, it’s easy to blame someone or a situation, but we cannot fight like we used to. The works of the flesh need to be fought by crucifying the flesh. We cannot give room for those dark character qualities to find a safe haven in us.
For example, if you came from a broken place where you weren’t valued, you may start developing selfish ambition that causes you to look to others to be valued by any means possible. Over time, you can develop envy, competition, or even murder in your heart because someone else is valued. You may even manipulate your way in certain areas of your life in order to get the recognition. All of the above is works of the flesh.
Some of those characteristics worked for us for so long, that they became our best friend. We relied on them consistently to get results. Some get so good at it, that they can even put spiritual clothing on the works of their flesh and allow them to stay hidden for a long time. However, as a Christian fighter we cannot allow ourselves to enjoy the works of the flesh any longer. We have to severe relationship with those dark habits. We need to completely move away to make spiritual progress. First the demonic spirits such as fear, inferiority, and un-forgiveness must be dealt with, and then we must crucify the flesh and its bad habits.
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional. In the meantime, pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you any strongholds or works of the flesh that you need to fight against.