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Chariot September 2009 - Norm Wakefield

         Spiritual Warfare: How Do You Fight?

    Everyday we are at war. When we were born into this world, we entered a war zone, not a vacation resort. We war against each other from a very early age–self against self. Self against the conglomerate cultural Self. For our warfare against each other we acquire weapons, namely, the faults, offenses, and weaknesses of others. The Apostle Paul wrote about two kinds of weapons used in the warfare of life. How do you war? What are your weapons? As we look at the relationship between the Apostle Paul and Timothy and the Corinthians, first, let's consider... 

The Problem: There was a breach in the relationship between Paul and the church in Corinth. Someone in the church did not like Paul's leadership style, compared him to other leaders, zeroed in on his flesh weaknesses, and undermined his ministry publicly by criticism, judgment, and slander. Here's what happened.

1.       The Corinthians closed their hearts to Paul and Timothy.

                   2 Corinthians 6:11-13...our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.

                   2 Corinthians 7:2 Make room for us in your hearts.

            One of the telltale signs that someone is warring according to the flesh is that his/her heart closes to those he/she criticizes.

2.      The problem (warfare) between them was caused by focusing on outward (flesh) characteristics. 2 Corinthians 10:3 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh." 2 Corinthians 10:7 "You are looking at things as they are outwardly." When Paul wrote "we don't war according to the flesh" he meant that they did not focus on flesh weaknesses of their opponents/critics. So their weapons were not the other people's faults, shortcomings, or sins. However, their faults or weaknesses were the weapons of Paul's opponents. Who of us hasn't "fought" relational battles with these weapons?

3.      The critics said:

1.      Paul was unimpressive in his personal leadership style and his speech was contemptible. 2 Corinthians 10:10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible."

2.      They boasted that they were more spiritual and better equipped than Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 2 Corinthians 11:18 "Since many boast according to the flesh."

4.      The critics were more concerned about their outward behavior and appearance to others than they were about their heart attitudes before God. 2 Corinthians 5:12 "We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart." This is flesh-focused "warring".

5.      Those who criticize the flesh weaknesses/sins could be considered a "thorn in the flesh." 2 Corinthians 12:7 "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!"

                  I believe Paul considered the primary individual, who caused the division, a "thorn in the flesh" because he "wars according to the flesh." The results mentioned in 12:10 describe those associated with such a conflict. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. This description doesn't fit the typical view that Paul's thorn in the flesh was his poor eyesight, rather it fits what one experiences in a relationship where one constantly "sticks it to him" by emphasizing his weaknesses.

What about you? 

    Could you be dealing with the same problem, namely, warring according to the flesh? Is the focus of discussion or disputes flesh weaknesses of each other? My own experience is that when I war like this, I either try talking the other one into correcting his/her weaknesses or I point out the weaknesses and then try to show how those weaknesses have been hurtful and damaging. The hope is that by going through such (discussions) changes will be made that will mend the breach in the relationship. This never works! One becomes embittered, more closed, more guilty, and hopeless. What is the solution? Is there a better way to fight?

The Solution: Change weapons! War (live) with weapons that are divinely powerful, namely, the gospel revealed in the powerful work of God in Christ at the cross.

Paul's weapons with which he handled this division were spiritual/divine weapons–the gospel.

2 Corinthians 10:4-7 ...For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 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 Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.

    What were the weapons that Paul and Timothy had that destroyed the strongholds of the flesh and brought every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? I believe the weapons were these four powerful truths. This is where "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" comes in. I can't just let my flesh thinking go unchecked to move about freely over the weaknesses and sins of people–especially those closest to me. This is most difficult because these are the people in which we have emotionally invested the most and of whom we have the greatest expectations. Every thought must be brought to the cross and made to obey it's truth: Jesus died for our sins so we would no longer live for ourselves. Instead we apply what He did on the cross to ourselves and to others. If a thought doesn't end up at the cross then it is a renegade thought that must be punished and crucified.

1.      We belong to Christ. Paul made this point in his first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 3:23 "and you belong to Christ." If someone belongs to Christ then I must...

1.      Trust that Christ is working as He wishes with them and when He wishes to, His glory.

2.      Acknowledge that their spiritual condition and flesh weaknesses are none of my business and all of His business.

3.      Practice applying what Jesus did at the cross for me and for them 24/7 just like God does which means...

2.      We should never war according to the flesh because the flesh weaknesses/sins are forgiven, cleansed, and removed through the circumcision performed at the cross by God. In Colossians 2, Paul says God circumcised the flesh of all of us in Christ at the cross. Anything and everything hostile to God was removed. Hallelujah! Boy, am I thankful that God doesn't war with me according to the flesh. How about you?

1.      Such living is compelled by the love of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:14 "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died." All of the flesh weaknesses/sins have been atoned for, thus they are forgiven and each person is cleansed. I conclude from this statement first, that Christ's love compels us because we have been forgiven through His death. I conclude second, that to love Christ is to forgive everyone because I have been forgiven.

2.      The cross of Christ changes the way we live with people. Our relationship with others, who belong to Christ, should not be about US/ME. It should not matter how offensive, how unspiritual, how damaging their actions/words are from our perspective. I am learning that to live for myself is anti-christ and to live in Christ is to be anti-self. 2 Corinthians 5:15 "and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."

3.      Since this is true and if we are authentically spiritual/eternal minded we should be compelled by love not to recognize (i.e. judged, criticized, figure in as factors in the relationship even though they exist) the flesh weaknesses/sins of those who belong to Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16 "Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer." This doesn't mean we don't see or detect those weaknesses or sins. We are also not saying they don't exist and are not sin.

                   Let me illustrate this with a recent experience. My father-in-law passed away Aug. 12. It hit me recently that when we see him in heaven, we may not recognize him because he will be free from every flesh weakness/sin that muffled the image of Christ in him. On earth his flesh weaknesses were evident (just like mine are!) When I meet him in heaven he will be free from those flesh hindrances and strongholds which were a part of who we knew on earth. The wonderful qualities which were praised and appreciated at his funeral were those of Jesus Christ. All of his most evident flesh weaknesses paled in comparison. How much more so in the resurrection!

                   That helped me understand Paul's relational principle here in 2 Corinthians 5 and his divinely powerful weapon which brings every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Wow! That's a powerful weapon because everything that anyone does that isn't spiritually mature has no power to impact the relationship! The thought of the flesh weakness is captured, then censored, and thrown out of court as a consideration. Therefore it can't cause hurt, bitterness, discourage-ment, etc., and he's free to keep his heart open to them and glorify Christ as he applies the gospel to them.

                   So how are we to view one another? We are to no longer view each other associated with the old creature, Adam, with all of his weaknesses/sins even though they may be obvious. Instead, we are to live differently and relate differently. We are to view each other associated with Christ, and thus together, WE are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." The new creation is Jesus in a body with many members! Jesus is no longer like he was in the flesh–an individual with a physical body (that's how he was first known by the apostles. 2 Cor. 5:16 ...even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer." What a blessing and privilege it is to know Jesus in a new body which is purified and consists of many members. To know each other associated with Christ is to truly be spiritual-minded and to pursue Christ. All the reading of books, praying, ministry, service, gathering knowledge is of zero significance if it doesn't lead to gospel-worthy living such as this.

4.      Seeming agents of discouragement and criticism are agents God uses to help us learn humility and experience the grace of God in the gospel. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

    Paul, like every good teacher and pastor brings the truth for the purpose of redemption and reconciliation. The truth will set us free if we allow it to test us. What is the test Paul uses?

The Test: Do you live reconciled to God and reconciled with people on the basis of the cross (warring with divinely powerful weapons) or do you live alienated from God and critical/judgmental/separated from people because of the weaknesses/sins (warring according to the flesh)?

1.      Here was Paul's conclusion: One who stumbles (closes his/her heart) over the flesh weaknesses/sins of others quite possibly 1) has not received the grace of God in truth and by experience. 2) And if they think they did, it's obviously been in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1 "And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—" I think that's why Paul said the Corinthians need to be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." If Christ, who owns each member of His body, has cleansed the member of His body at the cross and has been pleased to leave them with flesh weaknesses/sins then who am I to say to God/Christ, "I don't like the way you are managing that member of your body. I think You should..." Is that not blasphemy, arrogance, hostility, and ignorance?

2.      The true measurement or test of whether Christ is in a person and is indeed reconciled to God through Christ and the cross is that they gladly practice applying the grace they have received in Christ to others when they see or are offended by their flesh weaknesses and sins. It's like a war. Battling daily. Taking captives daily. Punishing destructive thoughts about others. That's why Paul concluded his second letter to the Corinthians with a test. 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 "For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test."

               Paul's point may easily be missed in the above verses. He admits that he and Timothy have weaknesses in the flesh even though they are in Christ. However, they know they live with Christ because of the power of God directed toward the Corinthians, namely, that their hearts remain open to them even though they have criticized, judged, slandered, and been the cause of great distress and insult. What is the power of God directed toward the Corinthians? It is the cross of Christ and their union with Him–the divinely powerful weapons available in the gospel. The power of God in Christ in them is that He leads them to apply what He did at the cross not only to their own flesh weaknesses/sins, but also to others. Paul was confident that the Corinthians could clearly see that he and Tim passed the "Is-Christ-in-you?" test.

3.      But did the Corinthians pass the "Is-Christ-in-you?" test? If they could not lay down their powerless flesh-based weapons of warring then they failed the test: Christ was not in them. To add insult to injury, they also brought discredit to the ministry of Christ and the cross having received the grace of God in vain. Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians 6:1-3 "And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU."Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"—giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry [of Christ on the cross/the gospel] will not be discredited."

                  What did Paul mean when he wrote, "And working together with Him...?" When we don't apply the gospel/the cross to the flesh weaknesses/sins of others, we are working against Him. When we apply to others the work Jesus did at the cross, we are working together with Him. My experience is that this is work. You won't find this kind of thinking to come naturally (I haven't). Maturity takes time and practice.           

Does this mean that one ignores others' weaknesses/sins and trust God to change them without our help?       

1.      Another person's flesh weaknesses and sins are their responsibility before God. The rebellious thought that needs to be taken captive is: They need to change this to be more spiritual and Christ-like! If we have truly received the grace of God in Christ and know we are in a relationship with Him we should have as our ambition to be pleasing to Him which means we recognize their belonging to Christ and responsibility to Him, not to us. 2 Corinthians 5.9-10 "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2.      And it is our responsibility to apply the gospel/grace we have received to everyone because Jesus is the Judge. To think we know Jesus and that He lives in us and not give grace to others is delusion of the highest order. And what will He judge? I think Paul thinks it will be the test mentioned above: Christ will judge according to what He did at the cross. If a person lives warring according to the flesh, then they are judged by the flesh. If they don't forgive others and do not apply the grace given by God through Christ, then they haven't truly received God's grace. They stand condemned. In contrast, if they forgive others on the basis of the cross and war with divinely powerful weapons, then they have been forgiven from eternity. Don't miss this point: They are judged according to what they have done in relationships with the cross of Christ.

    This is foundational to all relationships and helps us see the uselessness of warring according to the flesh. I believe if you don't understand it, all discussion about past perceived or actual weaknesses/sins is an exercise in futility. It can only lead to your heart becoming harder and more closed. It's like going into a gun battle in a real war with a slingshot. If you understand how to war with divinely powerful weapons, namely, the cross of Christ, you will be set free to live differently. In fact, you won't need to discuss or even bring up the old useless weapons again. You'll be done with them–for the love of Christ, and it will transform your marriage, work relationships, friendships, and seemingly irreconcilable relationships. But most of all, your relationship with God will be improved. Then you will have won the greatest war. 

Would you like to be on the Elijah Ministries Prayer Team?

    The backbone of Elijah Ministries is the prayer team who pray diligently for God to turn the hearts of men to Himself, their wives, and their children. Before I leave to speak, I send out a prayer team invitation to those who will intercede for God to work for His glory in us as a team for the Kingdom. Not only is it a blessing to those whom I speak and myself; but it is also a reminder to the team about the direction of their own hearts. If you would like to enter into the labor together with me, you may go to my website and click on "Prayer Team".

    Has Norm's Chariot or other resources been an encouragement to you? As a nonprofit organization, Elijah Ministries needs support from people like you in order to function. If God has ministered to you through Elijah Ministries and Norm Wakefield, would you consider supporting the work? You can do so here. (Elijah Ministries is a tax-deductible 501c3 and is financially accountable to an overseeing board of 8 non-paid members from around the country.)

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I invite you to be a part of the moving of the Spirit of Elijah in your church, community, and the world. How?

1.  Send this article to other men or families that you know would benefit from it. You might inform them of the previous articles available on-line at our website.

2.  Share resources from the Spirit of Elijah Ministries with others. If Equipping Men or Rising to the Call have been a blessing to you, then you know it will be beneficial to others. Either share your resources, tell them about the resources, or purchase a set or two as an investment in their lives.

3.  Share with others what you have learned and put into practice in turning your heart to God, your wife, and your children. If God has done this in you, then He wants to affect others through you.

4.  Join the Elijah Ministries email prayer team and make intercession for others that their hearts would be turned in revival to the Lord, their wives, and their children. This can be done on-line at www.spiritofelijah.com. 

            Norm Wakefield
            Elijah Ministries
            P.O. Box 377
            Bulverde, Texas 78163
            830.980.5606
            info@spiritofelijah.com
            http://www.spiritofelijah.com

09.09

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