War with Faith
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Introduction

The concept of "War with Faith" in the Bible encompasses the spiritual battles that believers face, the call to stand firm in faith amidst trials, and the assurance of victory through Christ. This entry explores the biblical understanding of spiritual warfare, the role of faith in overcoming adversities, and the scriptural exhortations to engage in this battle with divine strength.

Spiritual Warfare

The Bible presents the Christian life as a battleground where believers are engaged in spiritual warfare against the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the nature of the conflict as spiritual rather than physical, requiring believers to be vigilant and prepared.

The Armor of God

To equip believers for this spiritual battle, the Apostle Paul instructs them to put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:13-17 describes this armor: "Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The "shield of faith" is particularly significant, as it enables believers to extinguish the attacks of the enemy. Faith acts as a protective barrier, allowing Christians to trust in God's promises and power.

Faith as a Weapon

Faith is not only a defensive tool but also an offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," recounts the accounts of biblical figures who, through faith, conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. Hebrews 11:33-34 states, "who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength, and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."

These examples demonstrate that faith empowers believers to achieve victory over seemingly insurmountable challenges, transforming weakness into strength.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is an essential component of waging war with faith. Ephesians 6:18 urges believers to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints." Through prayer, Christians seek divine guidance, strength, and protection, aligning their will with God's purposes.

The Victory in Christ

The ultimate assurance in the war with faith is the victory secured through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37 declares, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." This victory is not achieved by human effort but through the redemptive work of Christ, who has triumphed over sin and death.

Endurance and Perseverance

Believers are called to endure and persevere in the face of trials. James 1:2-4 encourages, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." This passage underscores the refining nature of trials, which strengthen faith and build character.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on war with faith emphasizes the spiritual nature of the battle, the necessity of divine armor, and the power of faith to overcome challenges. Through prayer, perseverance, and reliance on Christ's victory, believers are equipped to stand firm and emerge victorious in their spiritual warfare.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Timothy 1:18,19
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare;
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

Resources
What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"? | GotQuestions.org

War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Nuclear War

War

War by Faith

War in Heaven: Symbolical

War is a Good Warfare

War is not After the Flesh

War of Extermination

War with a Good Conscience

War with Confidence in God

War with Earnestness

War with Endurance of Hardness

War with Faith

War with Prayer

War with Self-Denial

War with Sobriety

War with Steadfastness in the Faith

War with Watchfulness

War without Earthly Entanglements

War: A Time For

War: Antiquity of

War: Averted

War: Be Clothed in White Clothing

War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father

War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God

War: Be Sons of God

War: Called "The Armor of God"

War: Called "The Armor of Light"

War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness"

War: Called the Good Fight of Faith

War: Civil

War: Comforted by God In

War: Counsels of

War: Death

War: Delivered by Christ In

War: Divine Approval of

War: Eat from the Tree of Life

War: Encouraged In

War: Enemies

War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side

War: Evils of

War: Exhorted to Diligence In

War: Forbidden

War: Frequently Long Continued

War: Frequently Sore and Bloody

War: God In

War: God Sends Panic In

War: God Uses, As a Judgment

War: God: Causes to Cease

War: God: Frequently Ordered

War: God: Gives the Victory In

War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In

War: God: Strengthens his People For

War: God: Taught his People the Art of

War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written

War: Have God As Their God

War: Have Power Over the Nations

War: Have the Morning Star

War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ

War: Helped by God In

War: Inflicts Defeat In

War: Inherit all Things

War: Killed In, Neglected

War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In

War: Mere Professors do not Maintain

War: Mighty Through God

War: Must be Put on

War: Must Stand Firm In

War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death

War: Not Carnal

War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life

War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives

War: Often Attended by Cruelty

War: Often Attended by Devastation

War: Often Attended by Famine

War: Often Attended by Pestilence

War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin

War: Originates in the Lusts of Men

War: Our Contest With Death

War: Over all That Exalts Itself

War: Over Death and the Grave

War: Over the Devil

War: Over the Flesh

War: Over the World

War: Preceded by Consultation

War: Preceded by Great Preparation

War: Preceded by Rumors

War: Protected by God In

War: Records often Kept of

War: Repugnant to God

War: Saints are all Engaged In

War: Sit With Christ on his Throne

War: Strengthened by Christ In

War: Strengthened by God In

War: Symbolized by a Red Horse

War: Thank God for Victory In

War: The Belt of Truth

War: The Breastplate of Righteousness

War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church

War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation

War: The Devil

War: The Flesh

War: The Helmet of Salvation

War: The Jews were Expert In

War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11)

War: The Malignity of the Wicked

War: The Preparation of the Gospel

War: The Shield of Faith

War: The Sword of the Spirit

War: The Whole, is Required

War: The World

War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna

War: Threatens Defeat In

War: Through Christ

War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend."

War: To Cease

War: Triumphant

War: Tumult of

War: Under Christ, As Our Captain

War: Under the Lord's Banner

War: Victory In, is from God

War: Wars and Rumors of

War: Weapons Used In

War: Wisdom Required In

Related Terms

War-carriage (11 Occurrences)

War-dress (6 Occurrences)

War-cry (5 Occurrences)

War-horses (6 Occurrences)

War-horn (3 Occurrences)

War-club (1 Occurrence)

War-cries (1 Occurrence)

War-dresses (1 Occurrence)

War-horse (1 Occurrence)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Body-covers (25 Occurrences)

Besiege (17 Occurrences)

Alarm (26 Occurrences)

Booty (32 Occurrences)

Body-cover (11 Occurrences)

Carriages (34 Occurrences)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Brave (15 Occurrences)

Apt (7 Occurrences)

Antiochus

Shutting (43 Occurrences)

Attackers (41 Occurrences)

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

44760 (2 Occurrences)

Chios (1 Occurrence)

Conquer (12 Occurrences)

Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Arouse (24 Occurrences)

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)

Phinehas (24 Occurrences)

Soldiers (83 Occurrences)

Athens (5 Occurrences)

Valiant (66 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Amasa (13 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Bows (28 Occurrences)

Perished (76 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Quick-footed (7 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)

Bulwark (29 Occurrences)

Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences)

Civil (4 Occurrences)

Advisers (22 Occurrences)

Alert (19 Occurrences)

Stirs (23 Occurrences)

Sands (9 Occurrences)

Sash (16 Occurrences)

Storm-wind (19 Occurrences)

Armies (361 Occurrences)

Bulwarks (22 Occurrences)

Charioteers (19 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Swords (50 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Spear (55 Occurrences)

Stone (290 Occurrences)

Astarte (2 Occurrences)

Spoil (140 Occurrences)

Spears (25 Occurrences)

Armed (147 Occurrences)

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Asmoneans

Answers (42 Occurrences)

Secretary (34 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)

Census (24 Occurrences)

Ai (32 Occurrences)

War with Endurance of Hardness
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