Our Wrestling

by G. PRASHER, SR. | Category: General | Feb 1962

(Ephesians 6.12)

Warfare involves continuous wrestling. The enemy is alert and ready, so the soldier must never relax his vigilance.

In our spiritual warfare there can be no armistice, for our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Because of this we are exhorted to "be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6.11). A well organized army is arrayed against us, whose leader is expert in wiles and deception. In warfare stratagem may lead to greater results than frontal attack, and our great enemy does not neglect this method of advancing his kingdom.

To withstand or oppose may contain the idea of aggression. To take the offensive is often the best defence. Though there are times when it is essential to stand, as it was with Wellington's army at Waterloo, but the moment came for advance, and Napoleon was defeated.

That we may be able to withstand and to stand, God has provided the necessary armour, consisting of (1) a girdle, (2) a breastplate, (3) shoes, (4) a shield, (5) a helmet, (6) a sword, (7) and, in addition, all prayer. We must put on the whole armour of God if we are to succeed in our engagements with the foe.

Let us consider each item separately. The girdle is for the loins. The workman tightens his belt to gain support in his labour; so we in our arduous warfare need the supporting strength of truth - loins girded with truth. It is this that will gird up the loins of our mind, effect sobriety, and set our hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Some soldiers of Jesus Christ have been maligned as having all truth and no grace. This need not be, since God's truth is joined with the grace of God, and "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

The breastplate of righteousness: doubtless Paul has in mind the words of Isaiah 59.17, where the LORD is said to have put on the breastplate of righteousness, or, as in the margin, a coat of mail. The idea is that of protection for the body. Protection must be had from the thrust of the spear, or the cut of sword. Of the LORD'S breastplate, His righteousness, it says, "And His righteousness, it upheld Him." He loved righteousness, and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1.9). Righteousness, therefore, was His breastplate, and must be ours. The soldier of the Cross must not be satisfied with imputed righteousness, he must "flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness." He must know "instruction which is in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3.16).

"Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace," like the Israelite who ate the roast flesh in the land of Egypt, who had his shoes on his feet. His feet were thus shod for his journey. The Christian has a message to carry. It is the message of peace. It is his to enter "no man's land" and cry aloud heaven's terms of reconciliation to those in rebellion against God. He beseeches "on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5.20, 21). "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation! " (Isaiah 52.7). To have feet shod implies preparation.

"Withal taking up the shield of faith."* The lions in Bunyan's dream were placed for the trial of faith, where it is: and for the discovery of those who have none. "Keep in the midst of the paths, and no harm shall come to thee" was the counsel given to Christian, and so, though the lions roared, no harm came to him for they were chained. But later he met Apollyon, who straddled quite over the breadth of the way, and threw a flaming dart at his breast; but Christian had a shield in his hand with which he caught it, and so averted that danger. Then Apollyon made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail by which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. In our conflict the shield of faith must be in our hand. With this we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

The helmet is designed to protect the head. It is the helmet of the hope of salvation, according to 1 Thessalonians 5.8. This turns our thoughts to the return of our Lord to the air, when salvation for us will be consummated. Let us wear the helmet of hope, day by day, as we wait and watch for His return, wait to hear His shout, and watch to see the countenance which is above the brightness of the sun.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. We cannot afford either to neglect or to lose the sword. Christian in Bunyan's allegory in his encounter with Apollyon had a dreadful fall, and with that his sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, "I am sure of you now." But grasping his sword again Christian could say, "Rejoice not against me, 0 mine enemy; when I fall, I shall rise again" (Micah 7.8). The sword is the word of God against which the enemy cannot stand. When Immanuel had used it in the holy war, we read, "Then the devil leaveth Him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him" (Matthew 4.11). We may recall the words of John the apostle, "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2.14). May we learn to use the sword skilfully!

"With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." It is said of a great preacher that while showing a friend over the building he referred to one part of it as the power house. This was where prayer was made. It is still true-" They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength." Should we have all the other items in our armoury, and lack this prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we shall just be like the becalmed ship, or a windmill without the wind, or a locomotive without steam. It is important, too, to persevere in our watchings to give thanks for answered prayer, not alone when our petitions are granted, but also when the Lord sees fit to answer, "No". May we keep well before us our dependence on the Spirit's power!

"But there's a power which faith can wield,

When mortal aid is vain,

That eye, that arm, that love to reach,

That listening ear to gain.

That power is prayer which soars on high,

Through Jesus an the throne;

And moves the hand which moves the world,

To bring deliverance down".

*Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress gives a vivid though imaginary picture of this strife.

G. PRASHER, SR. | Feb 1962
General