Arm Yourselves

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Oct 1956

"And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing; if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war, ... But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32.20 - 23).

"Our wrestling 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"

(Ephesians 6.12).

In the Old Testament the people of God were called to fight in carnal warfare against wicked men, but it is evident that in the New Testament the Christian is not called to fight carnally against men, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness. This distinction, clearly made in the Scriptures, should be seen by the Christian, if he is to wage war as he ought. But it must be definitely stated that the Christian ought to take part in the spiritual warfare. To sit at ease is sin against the Lord.

"Arm yourselves," said Moses. "Take the sword of the Spirit," wrote Paul. We must have all the defensive armour, but we must also have the weapon of offence-the sword. We must read God's word, and we must study it, but above all we must use it. To appreciate rightly God's word it must be used. Preaching the gospel continually to believers is of little value, however much they may wish to hear it. There are millions of souls who have never heard it, and we must go to them. We must arm ourselves for this great warfare. To sit at ease is sin. It is leaving men in the darkness, deceived by the adversary.

We must also pass on the truth that we have learned to others, for it was not meant for us alone. We must study it and know and keep it, but above all we must use it. We must reach those who do not know it, and to reach them we must go to them. A sword is not an ornament, it is for use in battle. The word of God is not meant merely for pleasant study, but for use among men, and we must go out among men if we are to reach them.

"Arm yourselves to go before the LORD." This is not our own battle, it is the Lord's. To be anxious or disappointed or discouraged, shows a failure to appreciate this. We must be men of prayer, men continually in touch with God, men who walk and work and war with Him. It is before the Lord that we fight. How essential it is that we be men of the secret place, men in whom self-confidence or pride has no place! "Not as pleasing men, but God which proveth our hearts." Yes, we must arm ourselves to go before the Lord to the war.

"War the good warfare," wrote Paul to Timothy. Out into the arena let us go in conflict for the souls of men. It is good to hold the faith ourselves, but it is greater to bring others to that faith. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever"

(Daniel 12.8).

G. Jarvie | Oct 1956
General