Physical Warfare Vs Spiritual Warfare

C

crusader Sep 3, 2016

Greetings All

It’s been awhile since I posted but I want share my thoughts after reading a post here about guns and situations. Just a different perspective
The last 3 months, God has taken me through another trial this one was walking through the Valley of death as described in Psalms 23. Prior to this I had not realized just how much I had relied on my (Fleshly) physical abilities to survive persecution, Satan’s attacks and general daily warfare that he brings against me. In the physical realm I am a very accomplished fighter coming from being a bouncer, ex- soldier and police officer as well as having a big build as I come from a New Zealand Maori Background. I am versed in various weapon usage as well as hand to hand combat from different Martial arts backgrounds.

The Lord placed me in a situation where all of this was useless and as a result, the veil was lifted from my spiritual eyes and I saw how much this is based around fear and lack of Faith in my Father. As Ephesians says we "Wrestle not against flesh and blood” and yet I had built a life around a physical defence. When compared to Satan’s power I am a mere lamb with no defences except for crying out to the good Shepard who watches over me and protects me (Jesus Christ)

I have had to learn to wake up every day praying for the Lord to cover me and then addressing every thought that was attacking my mind and bring it to captivity. I have been taunted in all areas of my life to react in the flesh but I have learnt to respond in the spirit against Satan’s Kingdom and not being ignorant of his devices. God has taught me and showed me traps that Satan set fourth for me and the Holy Spirit has directed a path around it or destroyed the trap before I came near it. I am so grateful to our father for teaching me these things even though it has been painful to go through, it is important that I walk in the spirit and not the flesh. By his will, grace and Mercy he matures my understanding to do his will and not mine which has made my relationship even stronger with the father, Jesus and the holy spirit.

By the way I’m not against guns or weapons but I needed to check my intent behind having them and whether or not they hinder the advancement of my faith, trust and relationship in the Lord with the knowledge that his plan for my life has been perfectly ordered and would deliver me out of the hands of my enemy. Satan is on the move in a big way around the world and God is asking his saints to stand up and take the fight spiritually to counteract the damage he is causing to people so that they may also know the good news of the gospel.

sermonindex Sep 3, 2016

Very balanced post, crusader. For sure, fleshly weapons are of no use against the powers of Darkness that can take a man down faster than one can say AR15.

sermonindex Sep 3, 2016

I needed to check my intent behind having them and whether or not they hinder the advancement of my faith, trust and relationship in the Lord with the knowledge that his plan for my life has been perfectly ordered and would deliver me out of the hands of my enemy.

Yes, because the time when one is faced with an assailant is not the time to find out how one will react. It has been mentioned that arming oneself is a sort of insurance but in the panic one experiences in a crisis situation, there is little doubt that one will use ones weapon when survival instinct takes over where there has not been a vow of dependance on the Lord alone previously.

A quick prayer beforehamd, that God will deliver, will not work as faith was not shown before the event. God does not go on 'just in cases'. He requires trust and faith to stand firm.

It boils down to what our normal relationship with God is and there is no pretending. If the relationship and trust are weak, then we really have no choice but to admit that and arm ourselves, though not forgetting that the recipient of the well aimed bullet will be consigned to hell, no turning back which might even be the unforgiveable sin as the person is gone and cannot forgive us.

As for relatives and friends, we can always offer ourselves instead of them but ultimately each man is responsible for his own standing with God.

The subject of this discussion is an excellent opportunity for us to take stock and realise just how much in danger we stand if we are not right with the Lord enough to face heaven in a hair's breadth of time as we never know just how close it is.

C

crusader Sep 3, 2016

Hi brenda7

"If the relationship and trust are weak"

Oh, yes during this process i did find that i had harbored small amounts of doubt that God would protect me, i have had to stand firm with our father that he would protect me. no man or method could save me from what i went through in fact they made the journey harder. My father owns this testimony of his goodness alone.

1. Satan was subtly invading my thoughts more then i was aware of
2. I would not have known my level of faith until tested
3. what it feels like to crucify the flesh and walk in the spirit
4. not one situation changed until i had been on my knees crying out in agony and frustration and as God did the impossible my faith grew more and more in areas i thought i had faith in already

it is one thing to say and quote Scripture but it is entirely different to trust in it with every ounce of who we are.

there was a lot more but i will leave it there for now.

G

ginnyrose Sep 4, 2016

Beautiful!

I just responded to Todd on his "A Different Twist to the Use of Deadly Force" thread in a similar vein but from a different perspective.

I love your take on this issue. God bless you for sharing.

Sandra

PS: We are not against gun ownership. They are used to hunt animals for food, kill varmints or other creatures deemed as pests - as defined by farmers/rural folks, not PETA.

C

crusader Sep 5, 2016

Hi Sandra

God has really been making me gentle towards people. i see many tough men on my journeys and i recognize the fear straight away in their eyes. whether it is standing at a distance or getting up close and personal. There are times when you just can't defend yourself no matter how good you are with a gun or your hands but when we rely on the holy spirit to guide us we can always be sure he will lead us in the right direction.