Spiritual Warfare.  Whether we believe it or not I believe that the Bible speaks pretty clearly that our true enemy in this life is a spiritual one. Ephesians 6:11 Says:

“Put on the full armor of God so you can take a stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

If you keep reading you find that the spiritual armor goes on as follows:

Belt – truth

Breastplate- righteousness

Shoes – Gospel of Peace

Shield – Faith (with which we can extinguish flaming arrows)

Helmet – Salvation

Sword – the Spirit which is the Word of God

It also reminds us to pray in the spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests, to be alert and to pray for the Saints.

So having said that, while I was reading in Nehemiah recently I came to a passage that made me think specifically about spiritual warfare.  In Nehemiah 4 we see the Israelites rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and they come up against some opposition (opposition – can anyone besides me relate?). I am going to write out this next portion because I just think it is SO cool. It really gives a step-by-step look at how they handled this opposition that was coming up against them. (I know it is a little long, but I think it is worth it.  The scripture is in bold).  So, here goes Nehemiah 4:13-23:

v.13 – Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.

1. Know your weak spots and guard them with every weapon you have.  We know from Ephesians that our sword represents the Word of God so it is so important that we learn it and teach it to those who may be weaker to help them learn how to also protect themselves.  While they are learning we help protect them.

After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

2. Don’t be afraid! I learned recently that this is the command God gives the most to His people in the Bible.  God CAN and WILL handle the enemy.  We have to trust Him. Remember you are not just fighting for yourselves.  You are fighting for your family and I believe that also includes your church family.

“When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor.  The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall.  Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.”

3. There is a point (or should be) in our faith when the devil looks up and realizes that we are determined to do what God has set in our hearts to do.  At that point we have to get back to work.  Anytime you feel everything around you is falling apart, get back to work.  Keep working and keep going back to the work God has for you.  If you don’t know what that work is, start with reading the Bible, praying, and making time for Him everyday. Take part in a Bible study, a small group, or serve in your church and/or community and you won’t go very long without having plenty to keep you busy. Don’t give up when the going gets tough – and it will get tough. But what a privilege it is to get to watch God work though those situations and invite us to participate in His victory. He only does this because He loves us so.  That brings me to the next point…

4. Don’t do it alone.  Find accountability and work together with other believers towards a common purpose and plan.  Have people watch your back and watch others backs as well.  Especially those in leadership.  If you’re not in leadership, fear not – God has a job for you so, in the meantime, pray for those who are.  They need it.  Their families need it.  (pastors’ families are quite often in the line of some very fiery arrows.)  And that brings me to my next point…

5. You better be packin’!  Always carry your weapon on you.  Once again that why it is so important to know the Word and have it stored in your heart.  Memorize scripture, read the Bible, PRAY, and walk in righteousness.  Those are our weapons against the enemy.

“But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Then I said to the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.  Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.  Our God will fight for us!”

7. Time and time again God uses a trumpet to call His people together or into action for a common purpose.  Revelation 1:10 says “I heard a voice like the sound of a trumpet.” It goes on to describe that voice as one coming from Jesus Himself.  So now every time I see a trumpet being used in the Bible I can’t help but remember that Jesus’s voice is that warning in our life.  He is the one warning us of danger ahead.  He is not a passive God standing by hoping we will dodge the bullet. He is actively helping us and drawing us out of the enemy’s way with His very voice…I love that!  We have to know what that sounds like and the only way to know it is to spend time learning everything about Him.  But he isn’t just warning us of the coming arrows he is calling us to come together and fight together as His people.  This is just another reason being part of a healthy church is SO important (and remember Jesus is the head of the church and He is leading His people in all our battles).

“So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.  At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.”

8. Don’t ever take your armor off even when you are “going off for water” (nourishment, rest, or even a night out with the girls) and you think you are safe.  Don’t, even for a second, give the enemy an opportunity to get in and ruin all you have worked for.  Wives and women - don’t let that bitterness creep in toward your husband or your in-laws; don’t allow yourselves to be so consumed with what you don’t have that you are never happy with what you do. Ladies of all ages - stop gossiping; I mean seriously, how we are ever going to teach others to trust God when we turn so quickly on each other. Husbands – love your families and lead them spritually; don’t let your eyes lead you astray and ruin what you have worked for. Teenagers – protect your innocence because the world won’t; avoid any situation in which you would be tempted to do something that would destroy your testimony; don’t be alone with someone that will stir up desires you aren’t ready to have; don’t do anything because everyone else is doing it.  God wants more for us all and I am so ready to get over my issues and find that freedom in living in Him.

I see God’s Word coming true around me – the more I grow and seek to know Christ the more intense the battle gets.  I have some really bad days and sometimes it feels my life is just one big spiritual fight.  It is hard, but it is so rewarding.  I have to rely on Jesus. This requires love, obedience, and knowledge of Jesus. That requires discipline. That starts with a fear of the Lord and not what others say or think.  I see growth in myself because I am caring less and less what other people think and more and more what He thinks (this is so big for me).  So I know for a fact God can change you.  He can take those insecurities and turn them around to confidence in Him and it is such a blessing.  I hope someone finds this as helpful as I did and I pray that we will begin to encourage those around us who are walking on that narrow road together.