Out Of Their Original Context
This popular concept of struggling in prayer against evil spirits and powers is based on Paul's counsel to Timothy, to the Ephesians and to the
Corinthians.
• Fight the good fight of faith.IT'.6:12 I
• 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. Eph.6:11-12
• For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Paul was not speaking to Christians about spiritual warfare inside the church, within the body of believers. He was writing to encourage them concerning their witness of Christ out in an environment that was hostile to the new Christian "sect" (as society regarded followers of
Christ then).
Witnessing In A Belligerent Society Real Spiritual Warfare
Paul was counseling young churches that when they witnessed about the death, burial and resur 270
IMAGERY THAT MISSES THE MARK rection of Jesus Christ, there would be fierce op position because they were considered a sect that was officially condemned by the Roman government.
Persecution of Christians was common. It was popular to collaborate with officials in locating and arresting them, so they could be hauled off to
prison, torture and death, as Paul had done before his conversion.Acs.9:1-2; 22:4-5; 26:10-11; Gal.1:13 The situation was so critical that Paul wrote to remind believers that they must be prepared to
fight the good fight of faith, ITi6:12 and that they
would need to put on the whole armor of God, to stand against Satan's wiles, because as Christ's witnesses, they were not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph.6:13,12
Engaged In Warfare That Is Already Won
Christians who lack knowledge of New Testament culture may misconstrue these statements of Paul, applying them to spiritual warfare among believers, instead of the conflict involved in witnessing to un-believers about Christ and His Gospel.
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other.Jam.5:16 Paul said, We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.R°m.ls:l
But when Paul wrote about pulling down strongholds, and wrestling against principalities, powers and rulers of darkness, he was not talking about Christians praying for one another in the Body of Christ. He was talking about Christians going out into a dangerous world to bear witness of Jesus Christ at the risk of persecution, arrest, imprisonment, physical torture, and death. That is the warfare against spiritual wickedness in high places in which those early believers were engaged. And it is the same today.
Paul wanted to encourage them so he reminded them that Jesus had spoiled those principalities and powers, that He had made a public show of their defeat,
and that He had triumphed over them.c°1.2:15 Christ won the victory over Satan's evil influ
ence and now He gives us the victory.lc°.15:57 He always causes us to triumph. 2c°.2:14
What encouragement such words must have been to those precious, beleaguered believers who were sacrificing everything and risking their lives to witness about Christ during that epoch of insidious
persecution! .
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IMAGERY THAT MISSES THE MARK Witnessing With Courage
To fight the fight of faith means to identify with Jesus Christ in His triumph over Satan. Christian believers need not struggle to conquer an enemy that Christ has already defeated. They must carry their witness with boldness and with courage, believing that Jesus, who triumphed over Satan, is at work in them, and that He is greater in the be
liever than Satan is in the world.HJo.4:4
Real spiritual warfare is not fighting demon spirits in the Church or in other Christians. Those weaknesses or influences of the enemy are to be overcome, not cast out.
Satan "s oppressing spirits will relentlessly tempt and pressure Christians, deceiving them, tricking them, diverting them by delusions and chicanery. He will oppress their bodies with pain and sickness and their minds with negative and doubtful thoughts that contradict God's Word. The believer's recourse is to resist the devil (with the facts of the Word of God), and he will flee from
you. Jam.4:7
That is why Paul said: Cast down imaginations, and every high thing (thought) that exhalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2co.1o:5
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SECTION VII - VICTORY RETRIEVED Evil Spirits That Cannot Be Cast Out
A believer cannot cast out evil spirits that sow negative and doubtful thoughts in the minds of Christians. A believer cannot cast out spirits of discouragement or fear or doubt. These symptoms are the result of one's thoughts-negative thoughts that contradict redemptive fact. Such "spirits" cannot be cast out. They must be overcome through a resolve to embrace the facts of the Word of God instead of doubting them.
Christians cannot run to their believing friends when they feel discouraged or frightened or oppressed and ask them to cast those evil spirits out
of them.
Paul was urging believers to deal with those negative influences themselves. They concern people's thoughts. Discouragement and fear are the result of thoughts.
When Christians choose to think wrong thoughts, they become discouraged or frightened. Everyone has the right of choice. You can choose to change your thoughts. Paul said, in essence, "You don't need to run to stronger believers, asking them to cast out the spirits of discouragement or fear. Your part is to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. You cast down fearful imaginations -every thought that exhalts itself against the knowledge of God.
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IMAGERY THAT MISSES THE MARK Thinking God's Thoughts
Analyze your thoughts. If they contradict the facts of redemption, then simply change your thoughts. Think redemptive thoughts. Think of what God says. Remember it. Ponder it. Rejoice in it. Talk it. Communicate it. Believe it. And act on it. Discouragement will dissipate like a fog in the
sunshine.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest anyone fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby others be defiled. xeb.12:12-15
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things.rhi.4:s
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. Rom.12:2 O<><>
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