Historians in general agree that the American Civil War was really won at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, though there were lesser battles in other places after that date. Those serious but relatively minor conflicts toward the end of the war only served to demonstrate the military supremacy which the North had already gained over the South.
In a similar, but much greater and more significant way, our Lord accomplished the defeat of Satan at Calvary. Since that time, whatever conflicts the servants of God have had to face are minor clashes in comparison. And whether God’s servants appear to win or lose does not alter the fact that the victory must ultimately be theirs—because it is His.
“He destroyed Him that had the power of death” at the Cross (Heb. 2:14); hostile “principalities and powers” were spoiled in that hour (Col. 2:15) and He now has “the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:18). We may therefore say with Paul, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
So although a believer may be bloodied in conflict, he is on the victory side and can still with good reason say, “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise…” (Mic. 7:8).
Nevertheless, though the chief foe has been defeated, the world has been overcome, and the flesh has been judged in our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, there are still pockets of resistance that the Christian must face. To use another military term, mopping-up operations continue in the lives of individuals until the Lord returns and we are completely conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29).
THE FLESH
Paul spoke often of the conflicts he experienced in His service for Christ. He wrestled with the natural claims of his body when it cried unnecessarily for attention (1 Cor. 9:25-27). He would not allow its cravings and weaknesses to deter him from the pursuit of his goal, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). And in the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul graphically describes a man’s battles with the more illegitimate desires of the flesh. It is only Christ who can deliver (Rom. 7:24-25).
THE WORLD
The world also presents problems for the one called to be a “stranger and pilgrim.” Its seductive attractions are offered to the Christian at every turn. The pleasures of sin for a season are emblazoned on signs along the highway, projected on every TV screen, and shamelessly advertised in glossy magazines at the supermarket. For those with more “refined” tastes, the world offers other temptations. For the intellectual there are a host of philosophies, and before the eyes of the business-oriented it dangles transient material rewards. Such is the world, but it is not our world. We are not of it. And if we refuse to buy its wares, we will feel its hatred (Col. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:15f; Jn. 15:19).
THE DEVIL
The two foes we have already mentioned would be active even if the devil were put in prison. It has been said, “The devil takes the blame for a lot of things for which he really is not guilty!” Of course he is responsible for tempting Adam, and so introducing sin into the world. In a similar way we could say that we would not have the flesh within us if Adam had not fallen. But we cannot shift the blame for our personal sins to the arch-enemy by saying, “The devil made me do it!”
How then does the devil attack Christians? Because he is the “father of lies,” it seems his chief tactic is to delude and deceive. His propaganda is full of half-truths. In fact, the more truth there is to what he says, the better his interests are served. He knows that the most effective lies are those accompanied by the most truth. That makes them more believable. And his deceptive methods permeate the atmosphere we breathe. They are like the poison gases employed in earthly warfare.
OUR DEFENSE
In speaking of the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is wise to recognize where each of those enemies is coming from and just how it poses a threat. The defense we need against one may not be suitable for the others. Anti-aircraft guns are not designed to stop an army on the ground. Tanks will not help if the enemy is filling the air with deadly gas. There is a strategic and effective way to counteract whatever weapon the enemy is employing, but the method must be suited to the weapon. The following illustration may help.
Tony was a promising young preacher who approached the author of this article for help some years ago. He and his girlfriend Trudy were both Christians, and they realized that their dating practices were becoming too physical. After one rather steamy session, they came to the conclusion that they must find a way to handle their struggle with the flesh. What would you advise in such a situation?
In their naivete, Tony and Trudy agreed to pray about their problem together. Now prayer is a poor substitute for obedience to the war manual.
How does the Word of God tell us to combat youthful lusts? Joseph gives us an example: he fled. That is what 2 Timothy 2:22 says we should do. Tony and Trudy, however, did not follow this advice. As they prayed, they felt an even deeper sympathy with each other’s weaknesses, and fell into each other’s arms, bringing their resistance against the flesh to a tragic end.
What about the devil? How should we react to his onslaughts? The Scriptures say we should resist him. We are not to flee in this case, but stand our ground. This is what Paul did on learning of Peter’s compromising position with the legalists (Gal. 2:11). That action probably did not seem very loving to some onlookers. Nevertheless, even when it is a brother in Christ that is being used by the enemy, you must withstand him to his face. This was not the first time the enemy had trapped impetuous Peter, either. In an earlier encounter the Lord Himself had looked beyond the Master-disciple relationship and addressed the devil who was speaking through Peter’s mouth (Mt. 16:23). In rebuking Peter, Paul was following the example of his Master.
And the world? How should we deal with that enemy? We are speaking not of the earth, of course, but of the pernicious influence brought upon us by a satanically generated system, by society itself, a world that lies in the power of the evil one. The list of its attractions is endless, but we are told not to love the world or its things (1 Jn. 2:15). Another love must take the place it has in our hearts. We are to set our affection on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God (Col. 3:2). As Samuel Kuster wrote:
“O worldly pomp and glory,
Your charms are spread in vain!
I’ve heard a sweeter story,
I’ve found a truer gain.
Where Christ a place prepareth,
There is my loved abode;
There shall I gaze on Jesus,
There shall I dwell with God.”
In dealing with spiritual battles, the best form of defense is to carry the fight to the enemy. That is not to suggest we ought to go looking for trouble, but rather that we should be prepared to fight at all times, wherever and whenever a challenge may appear. We can do this by being occupied in the work of the Lord.
The ancient Macedonians’ armor and drill enabled them to form a phalanx, or solid wall, which was almost impenetrable. And there is no substitute for aggressively pursuing the Lord’s interests in a committed partnership with fellow soldiers in the local assembly. “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).