Warfare

The Promise of Victory Over Sin

Paul describes the two conflicting forces that operates within every believer (vv. 16-17). The believer still has within him the old nature, the flesh; it is not eradicated, as some would have you believe, but is to be made subject to the new nature. The terrible mistake made by …

Adopting a War-time mindset

Paul now turns his attention to those about to be married: the betrothed. Jesus never gave instruction for those about to be married (v. 25a). Paul was confident, however, that his counsel, through the Holy Spirit, would be accurate and helpful (v. 25b). The question was, “Must a …

Paul Defends His Authority

Satan seeks to blind minds to God’s light, fortify minds against God’s truth and seduce minds from God’s love (vv. 1-6). We need to keep in mind that throughout this letter Paul is writing to a divided church, and a church that is being seduced by false teachers. These false teachers charged …

The Lord Gives The Victory

In a series of quick raids Joshua attacked and conquered the key cities of southern Canaan. These included Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir (vv. 29-39). Joshua and his army went from city to city, destroying each one and slaying its king and inhabitants “as the Lord God …

Like it or not we are in warfare

It is sometimes helpful to pick out certain verses of a biblical passage which summarize in concise terms what the passage is all about. The phrase that, perhaps, best summarizes this entire letter is “Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience” (vv. 1 …

A Nation That Was About to Go to War

This psalm is about a nation that was about to go to war. War is a terrible thing but there are times when it is the only possible answer to circumstances and there is no other solution. Throughout history God has frequently used war to bring rebellious nations to their knees. There comes a time …

IllustrationThe Murder Songs

A custom of the natives in New Guinea is told. At certain times they have rituals, songs, and dances. They work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual culminates in what are called “the murder …

IllustrationHigh wind, big thunder, no rain!

 An Indian attended services one Sunday A.M.. The sermon, being without real spiritual food had been very loud in spots. The Indian, being a good Christian was not impressed. When asked how he had liked the sermon he said, High Wind, Big Thunder, No Rain! (Source Unknown). …

IllustrationWarfare breaks out at a baseball game

In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in …

IllustrationAn Eskimo And His Fighting Dogs

An Eskimo fisherman came to town every Saturday afternoon. He always brought his two dogs with him. One was white and the other was black. He had taught them to fight on command. Every Saturday afternoon in the town square the people would gather and these two dogs would fight an …