How to Fight a Righteous War

This short article was inspired by something I read a few days ago. It said, “When attacked, we have two options – run or fight.” I mulled this over for awhile, and, although the writer was referring to physical assault, I could see a Spiritual truth in it, too.

No matter what your position on defense is, whether self or national, I think you will readily get the point that he was making. Some have the notion that if your daughter or wife is being attacked, you should do nothing but pray. Take no physical action whatever in their defense! Yet a man is the head of the house. He is supposed to be the family priest, the provider, and the protector. This error in their thinking comes from Yahshua’s statement about “turning the other cheek” in Matthew 5:39.

But He also said in His parable in Matthew 12:29 that the “strong man” head of the house would have to be tied up before his house could be plundered. If all he would be doing was praying, why tie him up? 

He also told His disciples to sell their coats and buy a sword (Luke 22:36). Strange words if Yahshua was really a bleeding-heart pacifist. But he was not. In Matthew 5:39, He was explaining how to handle a dispute with a neighbor, not a mortal enemy.

Some of you may not realize it, but we ARE in a war, albeit a Spiritual war. Make no mistake about it. And we are fighting it on three fronts. The battle is against (1) our own carnal, sin-prone, human nature with its fleshly lusts; (2) the World and its society, its glitter, its attractions, its glamour and excitement; and (3) Ha Shatan (Satan) himself, the god of this world. Remember he offered all these things to Yahshua if He would bow down and worship him (Matt. 4:8-10). These things are his to give, seeing that he is the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4). 

So, how are we going to handle it? Do we run, or do we fight? If we have no weapon, then we better run. But we will not win a single battle, much less the war, if we run! We will be overtaken and killed. So, running is not a wise option.

The other option is to fight. And fight we must! It is a fight to the death. We may lose a battle now and then, but if we lose the war, we have only the lake of fire to look forward to (Rev. 20:14-15 and Rev. 21:8).

But if we show up to do battle with only our own weak weapons, listed in Galatians 5:19-21 (the works of the flesh), we are sure to lose. These are those who do not have Yahweh’s Spirit. So, our first priority is to repent and be baptized, then we will receive the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:23).

But the Spirit is no good unless it is put to use, so next let’s arm ourselves. The next step is to put on the whole armor of Yahweh. Turn to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

(Eph 6:10-20 KJV)  "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Master, and in the power of his might. {11} Put on the whole armour of Yah, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we 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. {13} Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of Yah, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {14} Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; {15} And your feet shod with the preparation of the evangel of peace; {16} Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Yah: {18} Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; {19} And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the evangel,{20} For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

We must learn to resist against sin. The writer of Hebrews rightly said that we have not yet resisted unto shedding of blood (Heb. 12:4). It’s all too easy to just give up or give in. But that will not get us into the Kingdom. This life is a testing ground. If we exhibit to Yahweh that we have the character and the determination to do right, during this short physical life that He has given us, then He has a reward for us that is so wonderful it cannot be adequately described in human terms.

(1 Cor 2:9-16 KJV)  "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Yahweh hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But Yahweh hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Yahweh.

{11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Yahweh knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Yahweh. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Yahweh; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of Yahweh. {13} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

{14} But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of Yahweh: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. {15} But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. {16} For who hath known the mind of Yahweh, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of the Messiah."

But even though we have the Spirit of Yahweh, which is the same Spirit that Yahshua has, we still cannot fully comprehend the future that He has planned for us. As Paul also said in another place, we now see through a glass darkly, but then we will know fully, even as He knows us. (1 Cor. 13:12).

This war we are fighting is for our very lives. We may lose a battle now and then, but if we lose the war, we are done for eternally. Our judgment period is now (1 Peter 4:17), and we must make the most of it. Sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4). Study the Law. It tells us what sin is. Then stop sinning, accept Yahshua and His sacrifice for forgiveness of our past sins, believe the Evangel (the good news of the Kingdom), and you will be saved at His return. Praise Yahweh! ~ fb