Topical Bible: War by Faith

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Introduction

The concept of "War by Faith" in the Bible encompasses the spiritual battles and physical conflicts that are fought with reliance on God's promises and power. This theme is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, where faith in God is depicted as a crucial element in overcoming adversaries and achieving victory. The Bible presents numerous examples of individuals and nations who engaged in warfare with a steadfast trust in God, demonstrating that faith is a powerful weapon in both spiritual and physical battles.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joshua and the Battle of Jericho: One of the most iconic examples of war by faith is the Battle of Jericho. God instructed Joshua to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites shouted and blew trumpets. This victory was achieved not by military might but by obedience and faith in God's command. As recorded in Joshua 6:2, "And the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.'"

2. Gideon and the Midianites: Gideon's battle against the Midianites is another testament to war by faith. God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. Judges 7:7 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.'"

3. David and Goliath: The account of David and Goliath illustrates personal faith in the face of overwhelming odds. David, a young shepherd, faced the giant Goliath with only a sling and stones, declaring his trust in God. In 1 Samuel 17:45, David proclaims, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

New Testament Perspective

1. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament shifts the focus from physical battles to spiritual warfare. Believers are called to engage in spiritual battles against the forces of evil, relying on faith and the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-11 exhorts, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes."

2. The Faith of the Early Church: The early Christians faced persecution and opposition, yet they waged their battles through faith and prayer. Acts 4:29-31 records the believers' prayer for boldness in the face of threats, and their subsequent empowerment by the Holy Spirit to continue preaching the word of God.

Theological Implications

The theme of war by faith underscores the belief that true victory comes from reliance on God rather than human strength or strategy. It emphasizes the importance of obedience, trust, and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in all circumstances. Faith is portrayed as an active force that enables believers to confront challenges, whether physical or spiritual, with confidence in God's promises.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative of war by faith serves as a powerful reminder of the role of faith in overcoming adversity. It encourages believers to trust in God's power and guidance, recognizing that faith is not merely a passive belief but an active engagement in the battles of life, both seen and unseen.

Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 11:33-37
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Nave's Topical Index

1 John 5:4,5
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

3696. hoplon -- a tool, implement, weapon
... 3696 ("instruments to make war") underlines that God always gives the resources
we need to -- as we live in faith ("His ," 2 Cor 6:7, 10:4). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3696.htm - 7k

Library

The Excellence and Utility of Faith.
... I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on
thee, that thou by them mightest war the good warfare; holding faith, and a ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the excellence and utility.htm

By Faith the Operation of God is Recognised.
... every effort for its destruction. War with the senses enables faith to obtain
a more glorious victory. To consider God equally good ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section ii by faith the operation.htm

How when King Penda was Slain, the Province of the Mercians ...
... King Oswy concluded this war in the district of Loidis, in the thirteenth year of ...
the Mercians and the adjacent provinces to the grace of the Christian faith. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiv how when king.htm

The End of the War
... he shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.' And to such a one faith will
become ... it does not need that we should wait for the end of the war to have ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of the war.htm

Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... German power, a thing without honour, conscience, or capacity for covenanted faith,
must be ... Long before the pretext of war was provided by the murder of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/ii peace on earth through.htm

How, among Innumerable Other Miracles of Healing Wrought by the ...
... faith, no church, no altar erected throughout all the nation of the Bernicians,
before that new leader in war, prompted by the zeal of his faith, set up this ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ii how among innumerable.htm

Introduction
... great trial. On principle and faith opposed to both war and oppression,
they can only practically oppose oppression by war. In this ...
/.../pringle/the record of a quaker conscience cyrus pringles diary/introduction.htm

Faith More Powerful than Gunpowder.
... I remember at one of the meetings at Nashville, during the war, a young man ... been
trembling ever since I received it." Six hundred miles away the faith of this ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/faith more powerful than gunpowder.htm

1 Timothy i. 18, 19
... my child, teknon] Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee,
that thou by them mightest [mayest] war a good warfare; holding faith, and a ...
/.../homily v 1 timothy i.htm

The Crowning Test and Triumph of Faith
... The life of faith is ever a life of testing, and very often the fire that tries
increases in ... The worst conflicts are not always at the beginning of the war. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the crowning test and triumph.htm