Spiritual Warfare! John 18:10-11

Text:  “Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world; if My Kingdom were of this world, THEN would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My Kingdom not from hence.”

John 18: 36.

 Good morning, Spiritually armed Christian!  You are engaged in a constant and daily Battle that far transcends mere physical dimensions; a Battle that is fiercely arrayed against your very soul!  You and I are Spiritually armed by God in order that we might engage in this vital Spiritual warfare with the world, the flesh, and the Devil.  Spiritual warrior - arm yourself NOW!

“For we (born again Christian believers) 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.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day…”  (Ephesians 6:12-13)

Please read The Christian In Complete Armour, by the Puritan, William Gurnall (1616-1679)  Banner of Truth Trust, P.O. Box 621, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013, U.S.A.)

The two brief verses of our selected Bible Reading for today, clearly teach us that the Lord Jesus Whom we love and serve, Who has redeemed us from all our sin; will not permit us to engage in mere physical battles with the enemies of His Kingdom and our very souls.  We are indeed, Spiritual warriors engaged in a completely Spiritual Battle.

When the impulsive Peter, that big faithful fisherman, saw his Saviour, whom he loved dearly, being physically threatened by the traitor Judas and the band of men armed with ’…weapons…’ (’…swords and staves…) - he did what many of us would have done faced with similar circumstances: he drew a sword and cut the ear off Malchus, the servant of the serving high priest.  He used physical force.  (Matthew 26:45-51)

“Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, an smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.  The servant’s name was Malchus.” (V.10)

The Lord Jesus immediately rebuked Peter for reacting in such a physically violent manner:  “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath…” (V.11)  The Lord Jesus would not permit Peter to fight physically for Him. 

We latter-day Christian warriors must likewise desist from such physical warfare.  If Christ’s Kingdom was a mere worldly kingdom, then we would be required to fight worldly violence with worldly violence.  However, the Lord’s teaching on this matter is certain and made very clear:

“Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world; if My Kingdom were of this world, THEN would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My Kingdom not from hence.”

Understanding that Christ’s Kingdom is NOT of this world, or physical in any manner - we therefore understand that our weapons cannot be so either!  In such Spiritual warfare, we Christians use Spiritual weapons.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do NOT war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

The Lord Jesus could have called down ‘…legions of angels…’, truly powerful created beings, that would have obliterated Christ’s puny foes.  But He did not do so.  Christ Jesus was determined to allow Himself to be taken by the Jewish mob; delivered unto the Roman Governor; rigorously and brutally questioned; unjustly condemned; violently and unmercifully scourged; scornfully mocked; and finally torturously Crucified - to make a Holy Sacrifice of Himself to Atone for your sins and for mine.

“…He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed (from all our sins)...He (God the Father) hath laid upon Him (Christ the Son) the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:5-6)

We for whom Christ suffered and died to save are His servants.  Our warfare in His Name is truly a Spiritual warfare.  We fight day and daily with Spiritual weapons: prayer and the Word of God.  The Victory is already won at that place called Calvary.  All our foes are defeated by Christ’s Blood.

Thought:  “…All that take the sword shall perish with the sword…”, desist from all physical violence; resist the Devil and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh unto God, He is the Captain of our Warfare.