Understanding Spiritual Warfare
Christian

   In the text to follow I make a number of statements that slight some popular Christian teachings. Please, check out the Bible references provided, within the contexts in which they are written, before declaring these statements to be in error.
Direct quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible.

Part I – The Original Commission
What Life is About
   The ultimate meaning of mankind is declared in Rom.8:29 “…to be conformed to the image of His Son…” This is also emphasized in Jn.17:21 “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
   The ministry of Jesus was to reconcile the world to God, and this has become our ministry objective as well. 2Cor.5:18 sums it up this way “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
   The method God has given to His people is to possess and to subdue. Gen.1:28 “God blessed them; and God said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
   This theme is reflected in the conquest of the land of Caanan, in that they were instructed to inhabit and subdue.
   The ultimate repeat of this theme is in the great commission itself, where we are instructed to go into all the world and make disciples of every nation.
   Notice that at the outset even in the garden of Eden there was subduing and ruling to be done. This of course implies that though perfectly created, all was not perfectly submitted to God -- and indeed, this soon becomes evident.

The Gift of Time
   I have heard it taught that Adam and Eve would never have died physically had they not sinned, but we need to consider both the physical and spiritual practicalities of this teaching:
   They had been given the ability and command to multiply. At some point, this would mean standing-room only on planet earth. For that matter, nothing physical is designed to last for eternity. This concept of science (“entropy”), observed but not cataloged by mankind until the 20th century, is referenced in the Bible (2Pe.3:10, Rev.20:11, 21:1).
   From a spiritual standpoint, if we were given free will for an unlimited period of time, we would eventually do everything that we were capable of doing; This would of course include every wrong choice possible. Limiting our time on the other hand, would deprive us of eternity.
   God has given us both free will and eternity by placing our opportunity to fail within a limited period of time positioned at the outset of our eternity.
   What we choose to do each moment affects all that is yet future, and ultimately eternity. Let us walk in awe on a moment-by-moment basis, consciously appreciative of this beautiful gift of time.
   Since time is a limited resource, and since each moment affects all eternity that follows, there is no limit to the importance of
  1. hearing God constantly, and
  2. obeying God instantly.

Rulership
   God put mankind in charge of the earth as managers, not owners. We do not even own ourselves (1Cor.3:16-17, 23, 6:19-20, Is.44:5), and we certainly do not own the earth (Ps.24:1, Is.66:1).
   Owning allows total control, to include consumption and even destruction. The owner also has the prerogative of delegating authorities and overriding them at will. Because of this sovereignty, God allows and is ultimately in control of all earthly governments, no matter how corrupt or satanic they may be. (Dan.4:35, Prov.21:1, Rom.13:1-8, 1Tim.1:1-3).
   Rule is only needed when there is incomplete unity – even within the church. Eph. 4:11-13 shows us that the authority of the ministry gifts is only needed until we all come to the unity of the faith.
   Mankind was placed on earth to rule it because there were components in the cosmos that were in rebellion against God.
   They were also given the option of failure. If they had not been capable of failure, they would not have been in charge, but merely robotic links in an iron chain.
   Into this environment of rebellion we were born, and from it we have been redeemed. Such a world also continually beckons our return.

The Seat of Authority
   This place was given to mankind was a position of supernatural authority established by God for administrating His will “on earth, as it is in heaven.” We are intended to be ambassadors, empowered to speak and act with the authority of God in the realm within which we live (2Cor.5:19-20).
   It is important to understand that the term “heaven” is often used to refer to the entire spiritual realm. This explains why we see Satan and his angels in heaven in Rev.12, Satan before the throne of God in Job 1, and a reference to “…spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places..” in Eph.6:12.
   As both physical and spiritual beings we ourselves have this dual citizenship. This is how Christians can be physically alive on earth, while at the same time “seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph.2:5-6). The “dead” state mentioned in verse 5 was the state of spiritual death experienced by Adam and Eve on the day they fell (Gen.3:3).
   It is also important to note from scripture that this position of authority is not a single seat, but a territory. In a reference to mankind in Gen.1:26 it says “…let them rule…” This also explains how there can be a various levels of authority within this realm as described in Eph.6:12, and how it can contain Satan and his angels as well as Michael and his angels, as indicated in Rev.12:7.
   This territory in the heavenly realm is the real estate believers are called upon to possess and subdue. It is the kingdom Jesus referred to that is not of this world. This is the priority issue and objective of spiritual conquest.
   Upon control of this territory, the natural realm follows. Consider Mt.6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (food, clothing, etc.) will be yours as well.” Contrast this with the status of Adam after having left his position in the spirit realm. “…Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen.3:17b-19a).
   An excellent view of how spiritual authority works is given in Mt.16. Jesus asks His disciples who they believe He is, and Peter answers in verse 16 “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”
   Jesus responds “Blessed are you Simon...because flesh and blood (human reasoning, the natural realm) did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven (the spirit realm). In verse 17 He continues: “..You are Peter (meaning small rock as in building material), and upon this rock (this word for ‘rock’ means bedrock) I will build my church; and the gates of Hell will not overpower it.”
   This bedrock upon which the church is built was not Peter, because he is building material. It is not Jesus, because He is the cornerstone (Mk.12:10, 1Pet.2:4-7). From the context of Mt.16:& 17 it becomes evident that this bedrock is revelation from the Father. This is made further clear when Paul speaks of the church being built on the foundation of apostles and prophets (the revelation ministries), with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone (Eph.2:20). See also Mt.21:42, Ac.4:11, 1Pe.2:6,7.
   Jesus goes on to apply this concept in Mt.16:19. “I will give you the key (“key” is actually singular here) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven (this tense is accurately translated in the 1995 edition of the NASB); and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
   As we speak and do what God has revealed to us to speak and do, the natural realm has no option but to comply. Jesus walked in this principle continually (Jn.5:19,30), and this is the manner in which God’s will is to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”
   God had delegated His authority over the earth to mankind in a manner identical to His delegation of authority to the Israelites over the land of Caanan. Consider these basic parallels:
  1. The land was in rebellion against God.
  2. The Israelites had authority because they were under authority.
  3. Upon stepping out from under this authority, they were capable of losing their authority, and joining those who were the objects of God’s judgment.

   When there was no one godly in the land of Caanan, effective authority defaulted to the one who had conned Adam and Eve out of theirs. There were authorities in this land at the outset of the conquest, and certainly the land was rampant with supernatural occult practices. When those serving God arrived on the scene however, the territory that was taken by those serving God in the spiritual realm soon became evident in the natural.
This is the overall nature of the spirit warfare before us: We retake the spirit territory through the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony, and the living sacrifice of our daily lives. Rev 12:11, Rom.12:1).
   The word translated as “lives” in Rev.12:11 of some translations is actually the world for “souls”. So although physical life may be included, the emphasis is upon all desire, thoughts, and emotional investments. We conquer as living sacrifices (Rom.12:1).

Part II – Authority Lost
Initial State
   When Adam and Eve were placed in authority over the earth, they initially exercised it responsibly. Through this delegated position the world was at peace and fulfilled. That which would deviate from God’s will and purpose was to be controlled through this office God had ordained for mankind.
   At this point, Satan had no authority, but could only appeal to Eve as one of the creatures over which she ruled. Satan however, came as a false messiah,
  1. claiming to have revelation that exceed that which God had given to Eve,
  2. claiming to expose falsehood and suspicious motives in the one true God, and
  3. justifying actions in harmony with individual ego and physical fulfillment.

Authority Not Used
   God does not bestow authority as a favor or status, but as a tool for carrying out responsibility.
   When the ruler in a Biblical parable gave talents to his servants upon embarking on a journey, they were tools to be used. Two of the servants used them properly and were rewarded.
   One of them simply buried his talent for safe keeping, lost his position and was cast into destruction. His talent was then passed on to another (Mt.25:25-28, 30).
   When the serpent came before Eve and contradicted the words of God, It was Eve’s responsibility to rebuke the Serpent and to execute whatever was appropriate. When Eve did not exercise this authority, but instead chose to comply with the serpents’ will, she lost her authority to the serpent.
   When Eve came before Adam with a suggestion contrary to God’s words, it was in turn his responsibility to rebuke Eve, and to deal with the sin in some form. By being afraid to do so, and by submitting to Eve instead of God, Adam surrendered his unemployed authority to Eve. This authority of course, was commuted on to the one to whom Eve had submitted her authority.
   It is crucial that we remember that all our opportunities and responses are time-critical (as pointed out earlier). Procrastination in the use of authority in situations that arise result in opportunities lost for eternity. Those in the wilderness who feared to exercise God’s authority in the immediate conquest of Caanan, never had another chance, and died before reaching their goal (Num.14:6-32).
   Since we currently operate within the context of a limited resource of time, any fragment of time during which we are not obedient to God is forever gone. On the other hand, this becomes an exciting thought when you consider that each moment of our lives is an opportunity to conquer for eternity!

The New World Order
   This principle of enslavement is taught in Rom.6:16. Eve, who had allowed herself to be conned by Satan’s enticements into disbelieving God, was now subservient to Satan. Adam, preferring Eve and all she meant to him over God, chose obedience to her and became her slave. Thus the new world order became:
  1. Satan
  2. Then Eve
  3. Then Adam.
God was not amused.
   Although God did not rescind the position of spiritual authority that Satan now held, He did restore some level of order within the natural realm – beginning at the new top:
  1. Satan was cursed – the exact meaning and nature of this curse, I do not yet understand. The woman was going to conquer the serpent through the child (Jesus) to whom she would ultimately give birth (Gen.3:14-15). Paul reiterates this in 1Tim.2:15 when he makes the comment that “women shall be saved through the bearing of children”, in the context of discussing the fall and the order that God assigned. Although this event was to take place at a future time, its effectiveness was to be immediate, symbolized by the sacrifice of innocent animals. This was begun by the Lord Himself covering their nakedness with the skins of innocent animals in Gen.3:21. They were thus in a sense covered through the blood of an innocent animal.
  2. This conquest was going to require a struggle on the part of the woman; childbirth was going to be very painful from then on. Such was the cost to her of reclaiming that which she had given away. She herself had been given a position not intended by God when Adam submitted to her, and Adam must reassume his initial position. The term “rule” has little meaning when two people are one in heart in purpose, and indeed, this concept was not applied to this relationship until after the fall. Now there would be different agendas and preferences, and the woman was likely to complain and contest some of Adam’s actions.
  3. Adam had a two-way fight on his hands, not the least of which was the responsibility of rulership over his wife. The other issue was that the earth itself was now cursed because of Adams actions in willingly submitting to an ungodly influence. With the spiritual authority of Adam over the earth now broken, it would yield only that which Adam could wrest from it physically.

   Keep in mind that all these changes had to occur because the “place” of heavenly authority over the earth which was given to Adam by God, was now occupied by Satan.
   The status of mankind after the fall was that of Israel after they had submitted to the corruption and evil practices of the surrounding nations: The nations that had enticed them became their masters, and they themselves were driven from the land.
   The cosmos is in a state of war. The soldier who does not immediately respond with the training and authority he has been given, gets killed.

The Lost World
   The world now had a new master. Satan and his angels now occupied the position of control and authority that God had established for the management of earth.
This fact is made clear from a number of scriptural references.
  1. In the temptation account in Luke 4:6, Satan offers Jesus the domain of the world, and declares that it “..has been handed over to me..”
  2. Jesus refers to Satan as the ruler of this world in John.16:11
  3. Paul uses the phrase “God of this world” in 2Cor.4:4 (spoken after the resurrection by the way).
  4. Eph.6:12 speaks of “the world forces of this darkness”.
  5. Dan 10:20 refers to the spiritual authorities over both Persia and Greece. From the context we see that these did not serve God, but were in fact standing against God and His angels (Dan.10:13,21).

   Since Satan obviously had no interest in serving God, the world was cut off from the purposes of God, and was subjected to the futility of service to a doomed master.
   “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected in futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God; For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” (Rom.8:19-22).
   That which we do that is not under the authority of God, and by His directive, is futile and meaningless. Contemplate the challenge – the command – of 1Pet.4:11.
   Brothers and sisters in Christ: All creation eagerly awaits our return to our rightful place of spiritual authority.

Part III – The Spirit War
Review the objectives
   Spiritual life, forfeited by Adam and Eve, now originates for each individual as a call. This voice floats gently over the entire ocean of humanity, stirring each of us to ask the question “Why am I here?”
   Through the magnificence and beauty of creation the answer is known in the heart, although it is far too big for the mind. Within those willing to abandon the allure and limitations of the tree of knowledge of good and evil for a relationship with God, the heart says “Yes Lord.”
   The relationship begins with the individual recognizing the limitations of their own righteousness, and of accepting God’s provision for that righteousness out of His own storehouse of love (Jesus living a righteous life for us). Life begins when he an individual now consciously says “Yes Lord.”
   Thus conceived and birthed to life, the individual becomes a player in the master objective of the restoration of all creation to obedience to God.
   It is easy for conflict of any kind to take on a life of its own. How often a major conflict has resulted from an escalation of hostilities far greater than the original offense. Honduras and Nicaragua for example, had a long-standing war that originated from a dubious call in a soccer game!
   It is imperative therefore that we keep the over-all objectives in mind at all times – by way of review:
  1. We as individuals are to become reconciled to God and become one with Him as is Jesus.
  2. As sons and daughters of God, we are tasked with reconciling creation to God.
  3. As we are one with God, all that we possess and subdue is likewise redeemed and reconciled to God. We are to conquer and posses the territory God assigns to us.

   We have sometimes looked at the things of the world as competition for God’s love, when in fact, they have been provided as means of expressing it.

The Nature of God’s Warriors
   I have heard and read of many tips and techniques for exercising spiritual authority. They range from the “name-it-and-claim-it” exercises popular among some of the big-offering shows that haunt the evangelistic circuits, to the ascetic extremities of some of the quasi-cults that also inhabit the fringes of Christianity. Both of these concepts contain some excellent principles, as well as missing the whole point.
   Allow me to make a narrow-minded, bigoted, true statement: Anyone who’s primary focus in on how to get earthly benefits from God, is aimed wrong.
   If you are after power for yourself, then serve the devil. He will promise you power and let you believe that the power he works through you is really yours.
   The final terms for serving God amount to an absolute unconditional surrender of all earthly objectives and desires. Jesus gives a picture of such a status in Lk.17:7-10.
   Of course there is also the matter of eternal life, but this too can become a me-oriented focus that many cults effectively use as a tool of enslavement. Now is our available opportunity to serve God; the rewards He chooses to bestow on us are His business.
   Did you know that God can evangelize the world without us? In fact, He Himself takes care of everything we have not yet achieved, in Rev.14:6. It is also remarkable that throughout the Bible some with well-developed relationships with God step out of nowhere – consider Balaam, Elijah, and John the Baptist.
   This may at first appear that humans are totally useless, but the reverse proves to be true. Participation in the restoration of the cosmos becomes a beautiful privilege God has granted to His children. The real value we have to God is the cherished treasure of a one-on-one love relationship He desires with each one of us. Being lovers of God is infinitely more important than anything we could ever do (Is.66:1-5; I believe verse 5 may be a reference to some applications of Christian music).
   In this light, all that we are and have in the natural realm become the currency with which we purchase things of true value (Is.55:1-2, Rev.3:18).
   Jesus valued the widow’s mite above all the treasures offered by the wealthy because it represented the one thing He Himself does not create: True voluntary love towards God. This love can only come from beings with the power to not love. It follows quite logically therefore that the first and greatest commandment is a call to “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

Taking Your Place as a Spirit Warrior
   The amount of Godly influence you have is based upon how much you hear and obey God. Greatness will therefore be proportional to your ability to subdue your own interests and submit to the will of God.
   With this in mind, Jesus’ comments about the greatest among you being the servant of all, make sense. Consider the following syllogism:
(a) In submitting to God we obey Him.
(b) He tells us to love and serve each other.
( c ) Therefore the more loving and humble the servant, the more consistent the expression of the authority of God.
   A few years back I asked the question: “Jesus had just three and one-half years to train eleven bumbling misfits to establish His church; What did He spend the most time teaching them?”
   Based upon the theory that His teaching priorities would approximately track the number of verses dedicated to the various subjects, I went through the four Gospels verse-by-verse, listing each subject discussed and the number of verses in which each subject occurred. What did Jesus speak of most frequently? It was not faith; it was not love; it was not healing or tradition; it was humility.
   Do you want to find a great man of God? Look for the one who most lovingly, consistently, and anonymously serves others. Paul speaks of this topic often. One place where he puts it far too clearly for fleshly comfort is in Phil.2:5-8.

Why Do We Need Discipline?
   The power of God can be expressed in unlimited proportions through any saint who’s heart is even momentarily perfect towards God. It is the disciplined life however, that has the consistent long-term effect on the world. It is these lives that provide the secure environment of spiritual nurture and example within which children can grow and sparkle. It is these who will stand solidly in the teeth of the most vicious and frightening onslaughts Satan can offer, while others flee in panic.
   The battle of Hastings was lost to the defending Saxons because some of them stepped out of their positions of security to attack targets of opportunity. This lack of disciplined obedience to the higher authorities left holes in the defense that resulted in the defeat and enslavement of the Saxons. Our spiritual discipline and consistency is extremely important to the believers around us.
   During the cold war an entire convoy in the pacific was discovered by the enemy because a junior officer disobeyed by turning on a radar for just a few seconds – he thought it would be safe.
   The sin of Achan cost the Israelite army a major defeat. It cost Achan his own life and the lives of his entire family.
   There is an especially important concept in this case of Achan, which I feel is most clearly expressed by a quotation of the actual text:
Josh.7:13 “Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel has said, There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel, You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”
   No amount of spiritual ranting and raving is going to do more than raise amusement and disgust if we ourselves are not standing carefully within the bounds of the authority God has given us. There is no room for our own interests in the exercise of God’s authority.
   The first priority in spiritual warfare, is the conquest and rulership of our own hearts and minds. When we stand as the contrite lovers of God, the enemy has no hope. Ultimately we must learn to speak and do only what we hear God speak and see Him do (1Pe.4:11). As we do so the power that created the universe will achieve God’s will through us. This is how Jesus operated (Jn.5:19,30).
   It’s tough to discipline ourselves, but we have help in the form of problems. If I were to prioritize a list of the verses I would like to not have found in the Bible, these would be near the top of the list: James.1:2-4,12, 1Pe.1:6-7, Mt.5:11-12.
   A lot of effort is invested in techniques for healing and other forms of problem-escape, but consider: If you would pay more attention to God without your problem or healing need, then by all means seek your healing. If on the other hand you would tend to relax a little and perhaps get involved in a few other interests, then remain with your problem or sickness with gratitude towards God for so graciously providing it (or “allowing” it, depending upon you theological preference of terminology).
   We don’t volunteer for our most important lessons in life, but we can pay close attention so we don’t have to repeat them.
   Reorienting our hearts and minds from our natural worldly perspective towards God takes practice. Consider the following related scriptures:
Exercise 1Tim.4:7-8
Renewing of our minds Rom.12:1-2
Solid food Heb 5:13-14
Sports analogy 1Cor.9:24-27

   People have occasionally referred to me as a “free spirit”. I am not one who likes discipline or restrictions of any kind. I am impatient with pomp & circumstance, time-consuming traditions, ceremonies, etc. I would rather just “flow with the spirit” than have to actually take a minute to do anything.
   The Bible however – most notably in the letters of Paul – is filled with instructions to put forth effort. Much of this effort involves the training of our own hearts, minds, and souls. Consider the verbs for instance, in 1Tim.4:14-16:
   Frankly, I don’t enjoy encountering such words in the Bible, but I have come to realize that such impositions are essential – especially for people like me. I am not strong enough to consistently stand against the world and all its attractions. It is therefore my responsibility to impose boundaries upon myself that will prevent my wandering too close to my areas of weakness. Furthermore, such boundaries need to be restrictive enough so that I do not even get close enough to such things to be tempted. We must not kid ourselves: We all know where we are weak. “Make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed” (Heb.12:13).
Anything that lives, does so with effort.

To Blame is to Die
   As Christians having access to forgiveness through the blood of our Lord Jesus, we can afford to confront any failure or weakness we have. In fact we must do this if we are to receive forgiveness and cleansing (1Jn.1:9).
   Contemplate whatever or it is that is outside of your control that is holding you back spiritually from complete freedom and fulfillment in the all-powerful love of God. Does a person, past event, condition or need come to mind?
   Now read Rom.8:31-39, and see if this thing is not thoroughly covered at least in the list you find there.
   I am going to make a true blanket statement: Whenever we excuse a spiritual failure or weakness on our part on the basis of the action of anyone else, or any other condition or situation of any kind, we commit a number of errors.
(a) We accuse God of not being strong or loving enough to understand and provide for us.
(b) We deny our own accountability
(c) We retreat spiritually – whether by laziness, cowardice, selfishness, or self-pity – its most destructive form.
(d) We falsely blame others or circumstances for our failures
(e) When we avoid the confession of our sins by denying accountability for them, we also are refusing God’s forgiveness and cleansing (Again, 1Jn.1:9).
Where then is any justification for self-pity? In hell, where it belongs.

Bad Fear – Good Fear
   Much of that which God calls us to do not only makes little sense to our natural minds, but it is also impossible and dangerous. If we are to limit our activities to that which we can understand and achieve in the natural, we are walking within the limits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Obedience to God on the other hand, takes us beyond the limits of our own intellect and power.
   Fear is the tool wielded by the devil to prevent us from obeying God – fear of man, fear of loss, fear of looking stupid, etc. As mentioned before, fear cost an entire generation of Israelites their lives in the wilderness.
   Fear is obedience to what a devil-driven world says, rather than to what God says, and God has a special place for cowards (Rev.21:8).
   Cowardice is a killer. Stepping forwarding in service to God will always be challenged by fear. This is likely, with each new step, and the opposing odds are always impossible in the natural realm.
   There are many instances in the Bible where people encountered fear, and not all of them overcame – consider:

   There is also a positive side o fear: We need to take God very seriously! It helps sometimes to consider the frightening power of nature as an aid to glimpsing the vulnerability of man.
   I once had the privilege of being at sea in the midst of waves over fifty feet high, while on a ship only thirty seven feet wide. Picture being on a freeway cut through banks as tall as five story buildings. Now convert the scene into undulating mountains of water, while contemplating the two miles of water between you and the eternal blackness of the mysterious bottom, and the five hundred miles to the nearest island.
   I was at peace with God, while surrounded by this giga-tonnage of mountains in constant motion. I loved it! It was fearful, powerful, exhilarating, and yet secure. I was able to enjoy the natural instincts awakened by the terrible forces around me, while enjoying the serenity of the peace that I was safe in the hands of the God who can turn such power on and off at will. This was just a taste of what we are dealing with in our relationship with God.
   God alone is to be feared.

Intellect And Evangelism
   I have often been grieved to see kids who had grown up in church being torn apart by intellectual arguments. Many of these had been active in youth groups and been carefully programmed with intellectual answers to intellectual questions. This form of training is very dangerous for a number of reasons:
1. Most obviously, it gives those trained a false sense of security. Sooner or later there will be questions not covered which will crack the entire structure.
2. It trains kids to value the status of intellectual superiority. This prepares them to succumb to the threat of looking foolish.
3. It teaches them to walk by sight and man’s wisdom, rather than by in faith in God.
4. There is such a gap between the limits of what any human mind could contain, and all the possible arguments and counter-arguments that could be raised, that the entire exercise is worthless.
5. God has given each of us a choice of serving Him or not. We do nave the right or the ability to force anyone to believe against their will.
6. Most importantly, it is entirely outside the scriptural pattern of evangelism.

   The apostle Paul was an intelligent and well educated man. His reputation and management of ideas were such that one king accused him of having been driven insane by his great education (Acts 26:24). Even so, in 1Cor.1, Paul repeatedly asserts that the gospel is not intellectual, but foolishness to the natural mind. He further asserts that the gospel is also incompatible with religious thinking.
   In 1Cor.2:1-5, he demonstrates how evangelism does not depend upon intellectual arguments (although there are cases where false religious concepts are logically confounded). Finally, in 1Cor.2:6-16, he explains how true spiritual concepts are out of reach of non-spiritual minds, but how those filled with the Spirit are empowered to comprehend all things.
   Jesus Himself speaks of the mysterious lives of those guided by the Spirit in Jn.3:8.
The fundamental principle here is that our minds are not spiritual weapons. Consider 1Cor.10:3-5. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Notice here that the mind is the battlefield, not the weapon.
   The natural realm is to be ruled by the spiritual, and to do so, we must play by the spiritual rules. The fall occurred because mankind chose to play by natural rules (knowledge and desire), rather than by spirit rules (obedience and faith) (Gen.3:6).
   I have sometimes wrestled with understanding the role that thinking does play in our walk with God. Thinking is a part of our earth equipment, as are our bodies and emotions, etc. By such things we struggle for existence and prosperity in competition with others and the forces around us.
   It is to these natural processes that the world around us relates, and it is the application of such processes that define our places within the natural realm. These attributes provide the platform from which we are to invade the world with God’s love and power.
   As we yield these things to God – in loving Him with our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths – they become His supernatural communication that will draw us and others to Himself. As we ourselves set our minds to understanding God, He takes this offering and anoints it till we are filled with joy and awe at His wisdom.

Conclusion
   Worldly provision, prosperity, and poverty are incidental to spiritual priorities. Promises of trouble and persecution are more common in the New Testament than promises of earthly blessings. Serving God may cost everything we are and have. Are you sure you want to do this? If so, read on.
   As we overcome the conflicts and weaknesses within ourselves, there remains nothing of spiritual warfare on our part other than to speak the words God tells us to speak, and to watch the enemy fall. The front line of our involvement is therefore the battle to walk in the freedom and power of God’s love, forgiveness, and revelation.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND REPITITIONS

Lessons From the Conquest of Caanan
Supernatural entrance:
   The river (Jordan) was stopped by God, so they could walk right in without having to swim – just like the Red Sea. Our entrance to God's kingdom is also supernatural.

A different culture:
   The religious and social cultures were corrupt, and were not to be followed by God's people – in this case they were to be utterly eliminated. Those cultures included human sacrifices. Clearly, abortion in our culture amounts to human sacrifice to the god of selfishness and pleasure.
   The culture was bent upon pleasure and dissipation. How is this any different from America today? The only friend of the Israeli spies had in Jericho was a prostitute. If she was the most worthy person in town, what does that say for the rest of them?

When they played by local rules, they abandoned their spiritual position:
   The Israelites were not entirely obedient in avoiding the local norms. In fact, after a few generations they became just like the cultures God had called them to destroy. Having lost their spiritual position, they themselves became eligible for destruction by surrounding nations.
   We need to take God seriously in every detail of our spiritual calling.

Cycles of Possessing and multiplying
   Israel had multiplied before entering, so their first priority was conquest of enough land for their current size.
   There is however a problem with conquering a lot more territory than you can possess and use. God explained to them that if He drove out everybody right away, the wild animals would occupy the territory and become a serious problem for them (Dt.7:22).
   We need to be careful in our eagerness to do battle that we don’t take more than we can occupy. Jesus speaks of a case where a demon is cast out and is not replaced by the Holy Spirit. Once the pressure’s off the demon drops by to check things out, and finds the place clean and empty. So he rounds up a bunch of his friends who are worse than he is, and they all move in (Mt.12:43-45).
   Zeal is a beautiful thing, but we must be careful to let God choose our battles. For a case study in misplaced zeal, see the essay on “Trying to Serve God”.

Rules of ownership
  1. Maintain your walk with God Dt.6:4-9
  2. If we don’t occupy, we can’t multiply. Conquest is only a means of acquiring possession. The objective is possession.
  3. The great commission was not to make babies, but to make disciples. Winning people to Jesus of course remains essential, but maturing them into fellow warriors is possessing the land.

Rules of conquest
   The enemy knows you cannot be defeated by force. His only hope is to draw you out from under the protection of your covenant with God. Allowing impurity in your life and household cripples your ability to stand against the enemy. Consider the example of the sin of Achan:
Josh.7:13 “Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel has said, There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel, You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”

Concepts in a Nutshell
   God has ordained for His people to retake and occupy territory abandoned by Adam and Eve in their rebellion. Retaking the territory is an act of obedience. It is well established in scripture and experience, that the natural realm expresses the spiritual realm. Strength in the natural realm comes through daily disciplined exercise, and so does strength in the spiritual realm. We need training in the spirit realm.
   Physical territory is the heritage of those who take spiritual territory.
   Obedience to God takes us beyond the limits of our own intellect and power.
   When we look for techniques, we are seeking control. When we look to faith, we are seeking life.