Field Vision 11-13-24
Here is some midweek encouragement for you from God's Word.
I was reading Psalm 144 and got stuck (in a good way) on verse 1.
Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the Lord, my rock who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare.
Not only did the warrior King David pen this verse from his "giant slaying" perspective, but I'm pretty sure Barry Pepper recited this verse while he was sniping Nazi's in Saving Private Ryan. While these verses might be exactly what a Marine in harm's way needs to read at the beginning and end of his day, what are we to do with these Old Testament passages which seem violent and unnecessary to New Testament believers?
Allow me to shake you (and me) awake with an unsettling reminder. WE. ARE. AT. WAR. There may not be bullets flying, or physical wounds, but our adversary the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. If we forget the nature of the spiritual combat in which we are to engage, we likely are losing the battle... maybe even the war.
There are many scriptures which help us understand spiritual warfare and our offensive and defensive posture as believers. Today I would like to focus on how the Apostle Paul addresses this topic in his letter to the Corinthian Church:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
If anyone read Psalm 144:1 and thought, "Cool... time to put on my brass knuckles." That person is definitely misunderstanding his/her assignment as a spiritual warrior. Here are some truths about waging war well according 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
This is not a physical fight. Spiritual warfare is not physical. This is obvious, given the term, "spiritual warfare." But it is so easy to forget. Your problem with that one person over there, is not a physical problem. It is division, dysfunction and disunity caused by the nature of sin. Since our enemy is not flesh and blood, neither are our weapons or the way we use them. So if we can't fight the way that comes naturally (physically), what are we to do?
We must fight spiritually. Spiritual warfare is not only different because it is not physical. It is also different in that it is made powerful by God. We are not relying on our own strength when we wage spiritual warfare. We could never win by our own power. It is Father, Son and Spirit who give spiritual warfare its potent strength. Strongholds are demolished! The enemy's base of operations, his fortresses, his communication and supply lines... They are all leveled by the power of God when we rely on His strength and engage in spiritual warfare.
It starts with a thought. We want the spiritual victory! We want the strongholds demolished. So what is the first step? Taking control of every single proud, arrogant lie the enemy whispers. Isn't that what Paul is encouraging? Track you thoughts, consider your motives, question your purpose... Is any of it arrogant? Does any of it form an idol? Does any of it go against the teachings of Jesus? Does it disobey God's Word? Does it go against what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do? This sort of self examination takes time, energy and effort. But this is where spiritual warfare is waged.
Ask Father God to equip you to examine your heart and mind. He will show you what is true in His Word and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I am in your corner when the fight gets difficult. He has equipped your hands to wage this war well!
You are so very loved,
Pastor Fraser
I was reading Psalm 144 and got stuck (in a good way) on verse 1.
Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the Lord, my rock who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare.
Not only did the warrior King David pen this verse from his "giant slaying" perspective, but I'm pretty sure Barry Pepper recited this verse while he was sniping Nazi's in Saving Private Ryan. While these verses might be exactly what a Marine in harm's way needs to read at the beginning and end of his day, what are we to do with these Old Testament passages which seem violent and unnecessary to New Testament believers?
Allow me to shake you (and me) awake with an unsettling reminder. WE. ARE. AT. WAR. There may not be bullets flying, or physical wounds, but our adversary the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. If we forget the nature of the spiritual combat in which we are to engage, we likely are losing the battle... maybe even the war.
There are many scriptures which help us understand spiritual warfare and our offensive and defensive posture as believers. Today I would like to focus on how the Apostle Paul addresses this topic in his letter to the Corinthian Church:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
If anyone read Psalm 144:1 and thought, "Cool... time to put on my brass knuckles." That person is definitely misunderstanding his/her assignment as a spiritual warrior. Here are some truths about waging war well according 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
This is not a physical fight. Spiritual warfare is not physical. This is obvious, given the term, "spiritual warfare." But it is so easy to forget. Your problem with that one person over there, is not a physical problem. It is division, dysfunction and disunity caused by the nature of sin. Since our enemy is not flesh and blood, neither are our weapons or the way we use them. So if we can't fight the way that comes naturally (physically), what are we to do?
We must fight spiritually. Spiritual warfare is not only different because it is not physical. It is also different in that it is made powerful by God. We are not relying on our own strength when we wage spiritual warfare. We could never win by our own power. It is Father, Son and Spirit who give spiritual warfare its potent strength. Strongholds are demolished! The enemy's base of operations, his fortresses, his communication and supply lines... They are all leveled by the power of God when we rely on His strength and engage in spiritual warfare.
It starts with a thought. We want the spiritual victory! We want the strongholds demolished. So what is the first step? Taking control of every single proud, arrogant lie the enemy whispers. Isn't that what Paul is encouraging? Track you thoughts, consider your motives, question your purpose... Is any of it arrogant? Does any of it form an idol? Does any of it go against the teachings of Jesus? Does it disobey God's Word? Does it go against what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do? This sort of self examination takes time, energy and effort. But this is where spiritual warfare is waged.
Ask Father God to equip you to examine your heart and mind. He will show you what is true in His Word and by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I am in your corner when the fight gets difficult. He has equipped your hands to wage this war well!
You are so very loved,
Pastor Fraser
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