“Our Battle is Spiritual"
Acts 5:17-42
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Our battle is spiritual, and our greatest weapons are spiritual. “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” [Ephesians 6:14-18]
These were the weapons of the early church, and they are the same now. Our battle is spiritual, and we must remember this because we are often deceived to battle in the flesh. “Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’” [John 18:11].
The apostles committed to the spiritual works of preaching, teaching, praying, and healing. It was the exact way that Jesus ministered.
Our Lord never led a rebellion; He never instigated demonstrations. Rather, He committed to sowing and cultivating spiritual seed. Notice, too, that that was the way of the early church.
Persecuted? Yes. Jesus forewarned them. But notice their response. “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” [Acts 5:41]
And they suffered more than shame; they were physically beaten [ref. Acts 5:40]. But through it all they committed to preaching, teaching, praying, and serving.
Being over five-thousand strong, they could have led a rebellion, but that was not their way because it was not their Lord’s way. God’s way was spiritual, praying, preaching, teaching, and Spirit-filled living. Nothing has changed.
Jesus came the first time to establish a spiritual authority. The Kingdom now is spiritual; Spirit-filled believers being Jesus’ hands, feet, and mouthpiece. The physical Kingdom will come later when Jesus returns.
We must use our spiritual resources granted us by the Holy Spirit. Physical rebellions are no match for the Enemy; they are indeed his tactic. Our vastly greater arsenal is Spirit-upon praying, preaching, teaching, and set-apart living.
