Functioning In Spiritual Warfare
By James Niles
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB) reads:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
We function in spiritual warfare through prayer and prophetic utterances (Deut 30:14-15; Rom 10:8; 1 Peter 4:11; Jer 1:11-12).
We function in spiritual warfare in the faithful and true Witness of JESUS CHRIST (Rev 3:14b; 1 John 5:10a) alive in us, by the HOLY SPIRIT (John 16:14), in Spirit, Water and Blood (1 John 5:8).
We can only function in the Witness of JESUS CHRIST – in Spirit, Water and Blood – by the HOLY SPIRIT (Rom 8:2; John 16:14).
[Functioning in our own spirit will lead to lawlessness because it is written that our righteousness is filthy rags (Isa 64:6; Matt 7:21-23).]
Spirit, Water and Blood is the faithful and true Witness of YESHUA. It is the Witness of the Cross (see John 19:30, 34) and this Witness operates in the reality of the finished work of the Cross.
In the Witness of JESUS CHRIST, satan has actually been defeated and disarmed by YHWH through YESHUA’s triumph on the Cross. This reality of satan being defeated and disarmed exists in the faithful and true Witness of YESHUA that operates in our inward parts.
Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV) declares: < And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. >
When we pray by the SPIRIT, we are energizing the Witness of JESUS CHRIST by the HOLY SPIRIT. We are energizing, into a Rhema Witness, the Logos Testimony of JESUS (Rev 19:10c; Heb 1:3b).
We are in this energized Witness applying the victory of YESHUA to address specific issues in life and ministry.
In spiritual warfare it is of the utmost importance that we understand that we are functioning in the Witness of YESHUA.
The fundamental framework for spiritual warfare is the victory of YESHUA in which YESHUA declares (in Matt 28:18): < “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” >
When we function in the Witness of YESHUA (in any aspect of life and ministry) we must clearly understand that we are operating by the HOLY SPIRIT, under YESHUA’s Authority. The Witness enables us to operate as functioning members of the Body of MESSIAH (CHRIST).
o In this Witness we will see the Word of Healing and Deliverance flow (Psalm 107:20).
o In this Witness we will see the Finger of GOD unveil to bind the strong man.
o In this Witness the Rod Of Aaron will operate to strike the the gods of ‘Egypt’.
o In this Witness strong angels will be released to do warfare in the heavenlies according to the Voice of GOD’s Word (Psalm 103:20-21) energized in the Witness of YESHUA by the HOLY SPIRIT.
All forms of ministry should operate in YESHUA’s faithful and true Witness. Every function that constitutes our life can be developed in YESHUA’s Witness so that we do all things in thought, word, deed and relationship in YESHUA’s Witness. Amen!