Spiritual Warfare

 

Guest essay by Billy Falling

“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.” Ephesians 6:12. I cast my vote for this scripture being the most misunderstood, and misused scripture in the entire bible; Second place goes to II Chronicles 7:14. The results are devastating. I offer you a correction of these common misinterpretations.

First, this subject is at the very heart and soul of spiritual warfare. If we get it wrong here, we lose the war. We are getting it wrong, and we are losing the war.

Second, this revelation by God through Paul is intended to equip the saints, not neutralize them, as in what is happening now.

Third, the focus of this warfare is on the physical rulers on earth, not demons floating around in the ether waves (surprise). It is not against men or women personally, but rulers who are in control of the darkness of this world, the gatekeepers, the deceivers of mankind with lies ad infinitum, resulting in tyranny, gross spiritual darkness, oppression, and the prohibition of religious freedom.

Fourth, this warfare is hand-to-hand combat (wrestle), and is to be engaged in by every believer. We are to “cast down imaginations” or destroy the lies that are advanced by the earthly rulers, who are the instruments of the devil. In destroying the lies, we destroy the territorial rule of those in power. In their place, we install DISPENSERS OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE. Earthly rulers are ordained ministers of God, who are to rule as God intended. That is just as much a part of the Great Commission as is evangelism.

Fifth, the bible is the supreme manual for every spiritual battle on planet earth. Every believer is to be politically and in all spheres active in bringing the nations under the rule of Jesus Christ.

Sixth, by prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, wearing the full armor of God, we evangelize the nations of the world, and prepare them for the return of Christ.

Seventh, we leave the date of the Return of Christ in God’s hands, and obey His word and occupy until He comes. Bible prophesy teachers have made a good living trying to establish dates and times that are not biblical. Our responsibility is to “be ye therefore ready” regardless of when Christ returns. One thing is for sure, He will not return until the Church has fulfilled its mission on earth. We have five and one-half billion people left on earth who do not have a Christian church to worship in, and have not heard the gospel.

Conclusion: Our kids and grandkids will fulfill The Great Commission. In our generation’s deviancies, we leave them with this legacy.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28: 19, 20.

 “For God so loved THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.


Billy Falling is pastor and headmaster, The Internet Church, International, P.O. Box 440, Chula Vista, CA 91912. He is Pastor Emeritus of Faith Center of Escondido, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and the author of My Cherokee Roots: Out of the Dog Creek Hills.

© 2015. Used by Permission

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
No comments yet.

Leave a Reply