In the Christian life, the concept of spiritual warfare is a significant theme, emphasizing the believer's struggle against spiritual forces of evil. The Bible teaches that the armor provided for this warfare is not carnal, meaning it is not of the flesh or worldly, but spiritual and divinely empowered.

Scriptural Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, provides a detailed description of the spiritual armor available to believers. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 , Paul writes, "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." This passage underscores the nature of the believer's warfare as spiritual rather than physical, highlighting the divine power inherent in the spiritual weapons provided by God.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18 offers a comprehensive depiction of the "Armor of God," which believers are instructed to put on to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. This passage includes:

· The Belt of Truth: "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (Ephesians 6:14). Truth is foundational, holding everything together and enabling the believer to stand firm.

· The Breastplate of Righteousness: "with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed" (Ephesians 6:14). Righteousness protects the heart and vital spiritual organs, signifying a life lived in accordance with God's standards.

· The Gospel of Peace: "and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). The gospel provides stability and readiness to advance against spiritual opposition.

· The Shield of Faith: "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16). Faith acts as a protective barrier against the attacks and deceptions of the enemy.

· The Helmet of Salvation: "Take the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17). Salvation guards the mind, ensuring the believer's thoughts are aligned with the hope and assurance of eternal life.

· The Sword of the Spirit: "and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The Word of God is the offensive weapon, powerful and effective in countering lies and spiritual attacks.

· Prayer: "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition" (Ephesians 6:18). Constant prayer is essential, empowering the believer to remain vigilant and connected to God's strength.

Spiritual Nature of the Battle

The spiritual nature of the believer's battle is further emphasized in Ephesians 6:12 : "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This verse clarifies that the true enemies are not human adversaries but spiritual entities that oppose God's kingdom.

Reliance on Divine Power

The believer's reliance on divine power is crucial in this spiritual warfare. As stated in Zechariah 4:6 , "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts." This reliance on the Holy Spirit ensures that the believer's efforts are not based on human strength but on God's omnipotence.

In summary, the warfare of saints is characterized by the use of spiritual armor that is divinely empowered and not carnal. This armor enables believers to stand firm against spiritual adversaries, relying on God's strength and the truth of His Word.2 Corinthians 10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Yoke of Christ.
... by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness ... rejoicing;""these are the weapons
of our warfare, "which are ... nature, to admire the life of saints, and to ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... and blood; and the weapons of our warfare are not ... with swords, nor darts, nor soldiers,
nor armour, that truth ... they have learned it from the saints; but this ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

A Discourse
... light that is so indeed;[8] but the saints will not ... religion, to wit, 'the weapons
of our warfare,' 'the whole ... to show the excellent worth of this armour of God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Last Season
... the influence of ordinances abiding in the souls of saints? ... Draw your armour from
the word of God ... have fought the battles of this spiritual warfare, gained the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... more than the satisfaction of their own carnal lusts, wills ... promise, in order to
excite in the saints so much ... confidence in God promising to them; not that he ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
... apostle derives the glory of the saints,""Moreover, whom ... we know that believers,
in their warfare against Satan, owe their victory to the armour of God. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the arguments usually.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... ready to resist; and, knowing that this warfare is terminated ... as the Church and the
communion of saints has Christ ... he taketh from him all his armour wherein he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iii.
... be affected in this way; but as in warfare we see ... on all sides by a kind of adamantine
armour, by intense ... God bestowed on the bodies of those saints who were ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 3.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... This we shall accomplish in regard to the mind, if, laying aside carnal thoughts
and cares which might interfere ... But although the saints do not always in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... put on thy harness, 'put on the whole armour of God ... most, if not all the miscarriages
of the saints and people ... of hair;[22] but take thou heed, be not ruled by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

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