10.29 The Armour for the Conflict

from

Chapter 10: Victory in Conflict

from War On the Saints
by Jesse Penn-Lewis

Scriptures Referenced in This Section:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Rom. 12:2 π 1 Cor. 9:25 π 2 Cor. 4:3 π Eph. 1:18 π Eph. 6:13

For this conflict with the powers of darkness the believer must learn experimentally how to take and use the armour for the battle, described by the apostle in Ephesians 6. The objective in Ephesians 6 is clearly not victory over sin - this is assumed - but VICTORY OVER SATAN. The call is not to the world, but to the Church. A call to stand in armour; to stand in the evil day; to stand against the powers of darkness; to stand after accomplishing the work of overthrowing them - "having overcome all," verse 13 , A.V. m. (top) - by the strength given of God.

The armour in detail, as set forth in Ephesians 6 is provided that the child of God should be "ABLE to stand" against the wiles of the devil; clearly showing that a believer can be made able to conquer all the principalities and powers of hell, if he fulfils the necessary conditions, and uses the armour provided for him.

It must be a REAL ARMOUR if it is provided for meeting a REAL FOE, and it must demand a REAL KNOWLEDGE of it on the part of the believer; to whom the FACT of the provision, the FACT of the foe, and the FACT of the fight, must be as REAL FACTS as any other facts declared in the Scriptures. The armoured and non-armoured believer may be briefly contrasted as follows:

The armoured Christian. The non-armoured Christian
Armoured with truth. Open to lies, through ignorance.
Righteousness of life. Unrighteousness through ignorance.
Making and keeping peace. Divisions and quarrels.
Self-preservation and control. Reckless unwatchfulness.
Faith as a shield. Doubt and unbelief.
Scriptures in the hand. Relying on reason instead God's Word.
Prayer without ceasing. Relying on work without prayer.

The believer who takes up the whole armour of God as a covering and protection against the foe, must himself walk in victory over the enemy. He must have

1) his spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so that he is strengthened with the might of God to stand unshaken; and be given continuously a "supply of the Spirit of Jesus" to keep his spirit sweet and pure;

2) his mind renewed ( Rom. 12:2 ) so that he has his understanding filled with the light of truth ( Eph. 1:18 ) displacing Satan's lies, and destroying the veil with which Satan once held it ( 2 Cor. 4:3 ) ; the mind clarified so that he intelligently understands what the will of the Lord is;

3) his body subservient to the Spirit ( 1 Cor. 9:25; top ), and obedient to the will of God in life and service.


[10.28] Knowing the Wiles of the Devil
π
[11.0] 11. War Upon the Powers of Darkness
10: Victory in Conflict - Table of Contents
Table of Contents π Topical Index

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