Victory Beyond Strength: Fighting the Right Way
Spiritual warfare is both an internal and external battle we face against the enemies of God. Destructive and evil forces are constantly waging war against God and anyone who bears His spiritual DNA. The story of Moses vividly illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare. It shows us from the outset that victory comes through the power of prayer and trust in God. Prayer is not something we can bypass; it is essential. Every truly born-again Christian will encounter spiritual warfare, and how we recognize and respond to it is crucial.
Exodus 17 and 2 Corinthians 10 together offer a powerful biblical perspective on the reality and dynamics of spiritual warfare. In Exodus 17:8-16, the Israelites face the Amalekites in a fierce battle. While Joshua leads the physical fight, Moses, Aaron, and Hur engage in spiritual warfare. If Moses holds up his hands with the staff of God, the Israelites prevail. When he lowers them, the Amalekites gain the upper hand. So, Aaron and Hur help Moses keep his hands raised until Israel secures victory. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Paul speaks about spiritual warfare, telling believers, that although we live in the world, our battle is not fought with physical weapons. Instead, God provides us with spiritual weapons which have the divine power to demolish strongholds. Teaching them that spiritual warfare is fought with God's strength and tools, not through human technics.
Both passages highlight the importance of spiritual strength and honest reliance on God in overcoming enemies. Moses' faith and prayer influenced the physical outcome of the battle. That alone proves that the battle was a spiritual from the start. Paul reinforced this truth that spiritual warfare requires divine weapons, not earthly ones. Together, they convey a pivotal point: spiritual warfare is only fought and won through faith, prayer, and the power of God rather than through human abilities.
Our own personal strength and knowledge are like a mere gust of wind in the face of spiritual opposition.
In spiritual warfare, we face destructive forces and powerful evil beings. Our human limitations become evident in such adversity, and they leave us helpless. Pride, often disguised as faith, and self-righteousness can lead us to underestimate the power of the adversary and overlook the fact that Satan is a powerful spiritual entity. He’s our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
There is a common yet misleading belief that Christians should simply ignore the enemy’s attacks and not take them seriously. But spiritual warfare is no joke and must be approached with caution and vigilance. Jesus took the devil seriously. On many occasions, He was himself under the attack of the prince of this world. Wherever He went, He confronted and dealt with evil spirits.
At the same time, we should not overestimate the enemy’s power, as this can lead to fear and unnecessary, misleading speculations. The Bible teaches that Jesus has already defeated the powers of darkness and the prince of this world, Satan.
One may logically ask, "If the enemy has been defeated, why do we still face opposition?" The simple answer to it is this: outside of Christ, the world remains vulnerable to Satan’s power. Before Christ's victory on the cross, humanity was enslaved to sin and the power of death. But at the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities of the enemy. Now, anyone who comes to Christ is taken under His protection and receives authority over the enemy. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:1-5, that “we were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live when we followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air... But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ... it is by grace we have been saved.” Once we’re in Christ, the enemy has no rule or claim over our life, although he still can attack us.
God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Consequently, we are called to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. We are urged to "put on the full armor of God, so that we can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." When the day of evil comes—when it feels as though all hell is breaking loose—we will be able to stand firm, holding our ground through the strength of God. Ephesians 6:10-13
Unforgiveness weakens spiritual defense
Since spiritual warfare is no joke, neither is unforgiveness. Holding onto unforgiveness leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attacks. In 2 Corinthians 2, the apostle Paul urges the church to quickly forgive a brother, warning them, "Lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices" (v11). Unforgiveness opens the door for the enemy to deceive our hearts. Unforgiveness weakens our spiritual defense and dulls our sensitivity to the Spirit of God.
On the other hand, forgiveness restores spiritual protection and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul teaches that we have been freed from spiritual bondage because God has forgiven us, demonstrating the vital connection between forgiveness and deliverance. God's forgiveness releases us from spiritual condemnation and nullifies the enemy’s claims over our lives. (Colossians 2:13-15) Growing up, we used to say in French, "Le pardon est un pouvoir qui libère," meaning, "forgiveness is a power that sets free." Similarly, when we walk in a spirit of forgiveness toward one another, it creates a protective barrier on many levels, including spiritual protection. The enemy cannot easily enter where forgiveness and unity reign. Often, he sows bitterness and division to gain a foothold. Paul warns us to forgive quickly because we are not ignorant of the enemy’s schemes.
The Bible instructs those who are spiritually strong to support the weak (Romans 15:1). We are called to bear one another's burdens, encourage each other, and check in daily lest “anyone be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. (Hebrews 3:13) Many associate spiritual strength with displays of power or gifts like working miracles or speaking in tongues. However, in Galatians 6, Paul teaches that true spiritual strength is demonstrated in the ability to restore a brother or sister who has fallen into sin. Spiritual maturity is revealed not only in confronting sin but in lovingly and gently restoring that person back to spiritual health, without falling into temptation ourselves. This is the essence of spiritual strength and maturity.
Delegated authority
It's crucial to understand the nature of the believer's authority. As Christians, we do not possess sovereign or absolute power. Our authority is delegated and can only be exercised through God's Word and our relationship with Him. According to James 4:7, submission to God empowers us to resist the devil. A believer who struggles with obedience and daily worship will find it difficult to stand against the enemy. Remember, as long as Moses held up his hands with the staff of God—a symbol of surrender and submission to God—Israel prevailed in battle.
It’s a risky thing to engage in spiritual warfare relying on our own strength and expertise. Satan has been refining his tactics since the beginning of time, gaining notoriety and expertise in his maneuvers. Our adversary’s kingdom is strategically organized, with a hierarchy of principalities, rulers, and demons executing carefully planned attacks against humanity, especially God's people.
Since there are no human experts in the realm of spiritual warfare, we must rely solely on God's wisdom, seek, and ask His protection whenever we face such powerful forces. Depending on our own understanding sets us up for failure (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Our helplessness creates space for faith, which invites God's intervention. David understood this when he witnessed the ferocity of Israel’s enemies. He concluded that their victory, their escape, or safety were solely because the Lord was on their side. In Psalm 124:1-8, he declares:
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— Let Israel now say— If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive... Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Continuous reliance on God is at the heart of spiritual victory
It is God who fights on our behalf. His strength is made perfect in our moments of weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) C.H. Mackintosh once said, "Faith brings God into the picture." God responds when we reach out to Him. He’s actively in the business of rewarding and strengthening those who earnestly seek Him (2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 11:6). He takes pleasure and delights in the well-being of His servants. (Psalms 35:27)
So then, what does this mean in the context of prayer? Prayer is a powerful demonstration of our dependence on God and an essential way to express and exercise our faith. When we pray, we actively put our faith into action. Even faith as small as a mustard seed, when applied, can yield great results.
It is crucial to understand that God does not respond to the mere act of prayer - It’s not simply the words of our prayers that God responds to, but the sincerity and faith He finds within our prayers. That is what He works with. That is what moves Him. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Furthermore, prayer is often a direct response to God's awakening move in our lives. When God stirs our spirit, our natural response is to seek fellowship with Him through prayer. The musician Asaph in Psalm 80:18 prays, "Quicken us (revive us), and we shall call upon thy name.” This shows the connection between Him reviving our spirits and our calling out to Him. This kind of awakening is a call from God. He stirs our hearts, and suddenly we experience an unusual sense of urgency to pray. It is as though He Himself was drawing us closer.
We are not just encouraged, but commanded to pray on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 6:18) This shows how integral prayer is to our lives as believers. James 5:13 reinforces this, saying, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise."
When we compare what James says here with Moses' story, we see a parallel—just as Moses lifted his hands in surrender and trust, there must be this constant lifting of our soul's attention toward God. We understand that Prayer is not a one-time action; it is a continual posture of faith in God. This continuous reliance on God is at the heart of spiritual victory.