A guy's catch-phrase can sometimes eclipse the memory of the person himself. Years ago, there was someone who greeted everyone he knew with "How goes the battle?"
At the time, I didn't think much about the words, but upon reflection, there's something to it.
When people speak of a "spiritual battle" you can see a variety of reactions.
At one end of the spectrum, materialists and more liberal theologians pass off the idea as mere poetic imagery.
At the other end, some preach a scene worthy of Dante or Milton. A scene in which heavenly hosts and demonic hordes clash with blazing swords in a teeming, pulsing mass of wings and hooves. (You think I'm kidding??)
To the first group, no war exists.
For the second group, "the devil made me do it" takes on an eerie meaning.
It is usual that extremes at either end of a spectrum are erroneous. So also in this case.
We cannot dismiss our enemy as fictional without doing violence to Scripture:
-Ephesians 6:16 compels us to take the shield of faith in how it protects us from the evil one.
-We are warned in 1 Peter 5:8 to be sober and vigilant because our adversary [real opponent] the devil [personal, not an impartial force] ... seeking whom he may devour [malicious, but possessing finite ability]
-Jesus faced temptation from and refuted Satan in the wilderness
-In Acts, with the sons of Sceva, "Jesus we know, Paul we have heard of, but who are you?"
-Legion, "Have you come to torment us before the time?"
-When Jesus foretold Peter's denial, it was in context "Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat."
Still, not every shadow from every passing cloud has a demon lurking in it.
But there are two opposing kingdoms. If we are to acknowledge Jesus' use of the phrase "kingdom of heaven" as meaning those who accept Him as Lord, it follows that there is a second group of people who are outside the kingdom of heaven.
Let's call them "redeemed" and "lost" for clarity's sake.
If you were a general leading his army, and you could generate a propaganda war, what would you do? Demoralize, deceive, distract, and discourage. If you can cause dissent and disarray, even better.
Isn't that what our opponent does? He is not described in Scripture as holding Heaven and Earth in his hands. But he has learned a thing or two about human nature.
He can muddy our understanding of Scripture. "Has God Said...?" Without the Word guiding us, we go off the rails. Solution: Know His Word.
He can muddy our understanding of ourselves. We readily accept wrong ideas: either too high or too low an opinion of ourselves. It sometimes comes from circumstances, sometimes from fears and ego, and sometimes from the lips of others. Solution: Know yourself accurately. Recognize and come to terms with Adamic Nature, without embracing it. "Sin shall not be your master, you are not under sin but under grace." Know that despite the Adamic nature, you have the New Life of the Redeemed. God's grace and the renewing of the Holy Spirit will continually cleanse redirect you to the correct path.
He can magnify slights and offences. Look at Cain. He was warned by God, but killed Abel in his indignation. Satan "entered Judas" when he was offended by Jesus' handling of money. When we have divisions in relationships, it affects even our prayers.(1 Peter 3:7). Solution: Believe the best of others, prefer others above yourself, be quick to forgive. In short, have the Mind of Christ. If we are a kingdom, and a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, let us take seriously any pettiness dividing us. It is doubly serious because it dims the Glory of God in our generation.
We are always "In The Battle".
We are always moving the battle lines. When our actions are consistent with the Kingdom of God, we are establishing the Kingdom of God. If our actions are inconsistent with the Kingdom of God, we are actually undermining the Kingdom of God, and bringing reproach.
If ever you hear "how goes the battle" let it remind you that you are daily IN the battle."
He Came to a World at War: O King of Nations
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[image: He Came to a World at War]
O come, O King of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
And be yourself our Kin...
9 hours ago
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