Warfare

I am interested in the word “warfare” it is only mentioned 5 times in the Bible. Do you and I really need to be concerned about “warfare?” There are 3-things one must know about warfare they are:
#1- Need to know and understand as much as you can about the enemy you are fighting.
#2- Need to accept who you are and the challenge that is set before you. A solider is no good if all one sees is his backside.
#3- One needs to know and learn their weapon that has been provided. There is no time for training of the weapon in the heat of the battle.

2Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)

In John chapter 10 and in verse 10 we read these words

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Who would you say the “thief” is in this verse? I would say it was our enemy the devil. If that is so and I believe it is; then he just wants to do three things; steal, kill and destroy. Now just for a moment let’s look at one way the enemy destroys us, if we allow him to. A husband and wife while sitting in a counseling session were making horrible statements about each other. The husband would make a horrible statement and then the wife would make an unkind remark. Then the question was asked sir what to do you really think of your wife? He said I have been telling what I think. Then he said,”No, here is really what I think; I think you are the most beautiful person I know. You are a great cook. You do a great job with our kids.” What just happened? It was the way the words were used. The enemy wants you and I to use words that will destroy each other our friendship, marriage, church relationships and any other relationship we might have. When the enemy comes we first have to recognize and understand that what we are hearing or saying is the enemy wanting to destroy our relationship. Then we must be ready for the challenge to admit and stand up to fight. Then we need to know how to use the weapon we have. David put it this way:

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. So we reach into our heart and draw our weapon and then we respond.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Then we fire again.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Then we fire yet again.

Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Because we realize:

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. We know that if say hateful things in return we are only putting wood on the fire and that’s far from being a soft answer or ruling our spirit. Angry, sure but we must not let our anger get the best of us and here’s why:

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

If we let our anger talk back we have just given place to the devil. Now you can put your weapon back in your heart for another time. Now do you see why David said to hide Gods word in our hearts? So we can fight the warfare when it comes and it’s going to come that you can count on it.