Bible Study Page 

By Mrs Jessie Penn-Lewis.

THE WARFARE

“We do not wage war as the world does" (2 Cor. 10 v3).

(1) The place of the battle. “Our struggle is . . . in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6 v12).

(2) The way to the battle field. “Together with Christ . . . raised with Him . . . in the heavenly places” (Eph. 2 v5-6).

Many who think they are fighting the good fight of faith are in the wrong place, fighting the wrong enemy. They stay with their eyes looking down and seek to conquer what has been already conquered by Christ.

(3) The enemy and his hosts. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . . powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6 v12).

(4) The Fight - which is mainly defensive.

STAND your ground. “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand . . . stand your ground . . . stand” (Eph. 6 v11 & 13).

RESIST with your will. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4 v7).

ABSTAIN from self-indulgence. “Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul ” (1 Peter 2 v11).

LAY HOLD of Divine power. “Fight the good fight . . . take hold of eternal life” (1 Timothy 6 v12).

As you stand stedfast in the faith, you are in the victorious Christ, lay hold of fresh supplies of His life. “Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1 v18-19).

BELIEVE you have the victory. "This is the victory that has overcome . . . even our faith” (1 John 5 v4).

(5) Some attacks of the enemy. 

By the rush of a host. “When the adversary shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall put him to flight" (Isa. 59 v19).

By a slow siege. “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear” (Psalm 27 v3). "His refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread . . . and waters will not fail” (Isa. 33 v16).

The enemy delights in isolating a soldier from his comrades, and sometimes a group of soldiers fall into a snare of the enemy and are only saved from sore defeat by the direct intervention of the Commander-in-chief. 

By attacking a Sentry. See the lonely warrior Paul, "everyone deserted me . . . but the Lord stood at my side . . . and I was delivered" (2 Tim. 4 v16-17).

The Captain's rally cry. “Do not be afraid . . . be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2 v10).

(6) The Lamb and His victorious army. 

“They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them . . . and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers” (Rev. 17 v14).

“A white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war . . . the armies of heaven were following Him” (Rev. 19 v11, 14).

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