The Conflict Around Us

May 8th, 2023

by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
05/08/2023

Ephesians 6:12-13 - “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria declares war against the King of Israel. He stations himself and his army strategically to ambush Israel’s forces. The prophet Elisha foils his scheme by making his plan known to the King of Israel. The forces of Israel are able to escape on multiple different occasions. The King of Syria is so puzzled by this seeming impossibility, he begins to believe there is a mole in his service that is informing the King of Israel of their battle plans. His advisors tell the King that there is not a spy, but that Elisha is giving the King such detailed information that it is as if Elisha was in the King’s bedroom hearing his plans (2 Kings 6:12). Obviously, Elisha becomes public enemy No. 1 in Syria and they take every military resource they have and seek to eliminate Elisha from the picture.

Eventually, the King discovers that Elisha is residing in Dothan and sends a large group of military men with one objective, to kill Elisha. Elisha’s servant goes to the window and can see the mighty forces that have encompassed where the man of God was staying. In a panic, the little servant approaches the prophet, but this news doesn’t alarm Elisha. He says, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (vs. 16). If you’ve been paying attention, it is two (Elisha and his servant) against a “great host” of enemies. At this point, Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened so that he would see the real battlefield. Verse 17 says, “And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” What this young man never could have understood was that there was a whole host of warriors fighting on behalf of Elisha.

These glimpses are rare but, on a few occasions, God pulls back the curtain on the spiritual warfare that is taking place all around us. Just because we do not see it at all times, doesn’t mean that the conflict isn’t raging continually. In our passage, Paul again reminds us of the true nature of this spiritual conflict.

1. Know Your Enemy (vs. 12)
We are warned not to think that our real enemies are human. Our true enemy is the powers of darkness. The only territory they seek to claim is the souls of men. They operate cruel war camps and bind their prisoners with all sorts of sinful shackles so that they cannot be liberated by the gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4). These foes have already been defeated but will never raise the white flag of surrender until God places all his enemies under the foot of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:24-25).

2. Know Your Armory (vs. 13)
We are not left in this conflict without access to the King’s armory. God has given us protection and weaponry because He expects us to be soldiers (2 Tim. 2:3). While we are no match for our enemy, we have this promise that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). Our God is mightier than our adversary, but we must ready ourselves for battle every day. Are you outfitted and prepared for spiritual warfare today?