Chapter 5 Weapons of War

In our ever-changing world, men are continually bombarded with mixed messages about what men should be like and how men are expected to act. Feminists have convinced both genders, men and women, that if men do what they were created to do, to lead or protect the women in their lives, they are sexist and misogynistic, and at one time called “chauvinist pigs.”

Why do you suppose there is such a war against men in their God-given roles? If you said it's because so much is at stake—you would be right!

Even though confusion and lies are accepted as true, it is a welcome relief to have the Bible, God's Word, along with our Creator, to guide us to know the truth that will set us free. In this chapter, we will again explore and search for the truth from God Himself. 

May I begin by challenging you? Rather than being preoccupied with sports, hobbies, or internet activities, begin to do real battle— facing this battle head-on with the weapons God has given you as men, Wise Man Warriors. Let’s search God's Word to know how you can use the “weapons of warfare” to pull down the lies that are destroying the lives of men, women, our families, our homes, and our nations.

When I am in a battle and under attack, what should I do?

First, it's always a spiritual battle. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:52). Twelve legions of angels (based on the Roman legion standard of 6,000 soldiers) would mean a minimum of 72,000 angels! Our heavenly Father promises to call on the angels to battle on our behalf in the “heavenlies,” where the “real battle” is waging. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

To win any battle, you must battle God's way. Do what God says—it will work! First, kill the flesh, since the sheer nature of man is to "battle in the flesh," and this will also set you up to inherit God's blessing. “To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8). When you do the opposite of what your flesh wants to do, you kill it!

Be committed. Be committed regardless of the consequences and leave the results to God. Remember the 3 youths who were resolute, relentless, and determined that no matter what, they would not bow down, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17). These youths believed God would deliver them, but, regardless of the consequences, they had resolved that they would not compromise, even if it meant death in the firey furnace.

These young men were determined to do what they knew God wanted them to do and left the results in God’s hands. As a result, the youths didn’t die, but the cords that bound them were removed when they were walking in the midst of the fire. Do you have cords (of sin or anxiety, or other strongholds) that are binding you? God promises to deliver you when you fight His way. Prepare for the battle and win the war!

Preparing for War by Putting on Your Armor

The schemes of the devil. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). You need to know your enemy and understand his schemes. “It’s my duty to make sure that the enemy does not win even a small victory over us, for we don’t want to be naïve and then fall prey to his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The full armor of God. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:12-13). 

Stand firm. “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth...” (Ephesians 6:14). As we discussed in previous chapters, truth is being challenged. But as a Believer, as a Wise Man Warrior, you can fasten and tighten your belt of truth by reading and researching what God says in the Bible, which will prevent you from wavering or from feeling the need to defend your beliefs.

His righteousness. “And having put on the breastplate of righteousness...” (Ephesians 6:14). God is talking about His righteousness, not yours or mine. He tells us in His Word that our righteousness is nothing but “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). A successful scheme of the enemy is to convince you that you fail morally, therefore, you can't win. Again, it's not about us, but about Him and His righteousness, His power.

Walk in peace. “And having fitted your feet with the good news of peace...” (Ephesians 6:15). God says, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and to “be prepared to give an account of the hope that is within you yet with patience and gentleness” (1 Peter 3:15). Anyone can battle, fight viciously, ruthlessly and meanly, yet, even the world knows that the one who can remain peaceful is always the one who ultimately wins.

The shield of faith. “In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith so you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). You must have faith, not in yourself or someone else, but faith in God, in Him alone! Circumstances have nothing to do with faith. Believe in God's Word for the Truth about your problem and every difficulty you face in life.

Helmet of salvation. “And take the helmet of salvation...” (Ephesians 6:17). You must be saved and born again. You must be one of His children to successfully win the spiritual battles in your life. Just to be sure you are saved, let me explain just how easy it is.

Just stop to talk to God right now in your head and heart. Just tell Him in your own words that you need Him now. If you don't believe in God, tell Him. Ask Him to make Himself real to you. Give Him your life, a life that may be completely messed up, and ask the Lord to make it new.

Tell Him that you will do whatever He wants, but you need Him to do it. Ask Him to “save you” from your mess and from the eternal suffering that is waiting for all those who do not accept His free gift of eternal life with Him in heaven. Thank Him for His death on the cross and His resurrection. Now, my friend and brother, you can be assured and believe that you will no longer live alone; God will always be with you, and you will spend eternity in heaven. If you meant it, you'll feel it, and the best part is that people in your life will begin to notice the change in you, too. If you didn't feel anything transformative, just keep talking to God and ask Him to prove you are His son.

Sword of the Spirit.  Finally, “And the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). It's customary here in the USA for men to stock up on ammunition. What's incredible is that God's ammo is His Word! This means the more you read God's Word, the more you gather ammunition and the easier it will be to battle in the spirit.

Create a time and place to read God's promises daily to help you win your battle. It's incredibly easy when they're on your phone—you basically armed with a concealed weapon! Arm yourself every morning so when you sense an attack is coming at you, you're ready. Often our battles are in our mind, spirit, and emotions, like anger, anxiety, panic, or even rage. If you cry out to God during the worst of times, He will be there because He promised, “Cease striving and know that I am God...” (Psalm 46:10). 

Spiritual Warfare: Taking Your Thoughts Captive

Your battle is often won or lost in your mind. So take your thoughts captive! “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 our Lord...” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6). Don’t play into the enemy’s hands. Don’t entertain wrong or immoral thoughts; take your thoughts captive!

Overcome evil with good. The enemy knows that if he can divide, he can conquer. Most of us play right into his schemes. God says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Ask God, "What good can I do?" Then do it. If this is your response to evil, trust me the enemy will stop attacking you because it's contrary to what he plans to achieve.

No matter how bad things seem—God is in control. Our comfort is knowing that God is in control, not us, and certainly not the enemy. Read and remember this, “Simon, Simon, behold, the enemy has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

Your Shield of Faith

Peter is an example of faith. Read about when the Lord asked Peter to walk on water in Matthew 14:22-34—it's one of my favorites! If the Lord asked you to walk on water and do something seemingly impossible, would you get out of the boat? Notice that the moment Peter cries out to the Lord, it's always followed by the Lord responding immediately. Immediately, the Lord spoke and told them to take courage. Later, when Peter began to sink, he cried out to the Lord, and “immediately the Lord stretched out His hand and took hold of him”! (Matthew 14:31).

Fear. But why did Peter sink? “But seeing the wind, he became afraid” (Matthew 14:30). When we look at our situation and the battle raging against us, we will sink. The moment Peter took his eyes off the Lord, the result was fear! It says, “he became afraid.” The moment you or I take our eyes off the Lord, we can't help but become fearful, and we begin to sink. So when you sense fear, change your focus and remember what He's done for you in the past to regain your faith.

Your testimony. How did the other men in the boat react? (Did you forget all the other men who didn’t get out of the boat?) God says, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly God’s Son!’” (Matthew 14:33). Are you ready to allow God to use you to show His goodness, His lovingkindness, His protection, to draw others to know Him? There is a tremendous reward! This is true evangelism. When those around you see that you have "gotten out of the boat" and do what's "seemingly impossible," those who are watching will come to you when they are having trouble because they have seen your peace despite your circumstances.

The wind stopped. “And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped” (Matthew 14:32). Your difficulties and battles will not go on forever. Peter was tested to be prepared for greater things in his life. The enemy (and others working for him) will tell you that you will stay in your nightmare unless you run away, give in, or give up.

The truth is, God never intended for us to remain in “the valley of the shadow of death.” God says that we go “through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4). The enemy loves to make us believe that we will live there! He wants to paint a “hopeless” picture! God is your hope and mine. And hope is our shield of faith, holding up His Word that has been sown in our hearts.

Double-minded or doubting. You must not be double-minded. Your mind must not waver or doubt God. “But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do” (James 1:6-8). This is why waking up for battle, reading and rereading His promises, will keep you armed, and doubt will be far from your thoughts.

Things not seen. Many people may ask you if you see any change. Patiently remind them God says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). “. . . For we walk by faith, not by sight . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

The Lord will fight your battles. Stand and see! Once you have spoken to God, your Father or your Brother and Commander, the Lord, then do as God says—“You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

The intensity of your problems is usually a sign that you are close to victory. Your trials often intensify when you are close to winning. And a great way to win is to rejoice! “For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time” (Revelation 12:12). Remember, it was the shouting and trumpets blaring that took down the Walls of Jericho! (Joshua 6:1-27)

God will Grant You Victory