War without Earthly Entanglements
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Definition and Context:
The concept of "War without Earthly Entanglements" refers to the spiritual battles that believers face, distinct from physical warfare. This idea is rooted in the understanding that Christians are engaged in a spiritual conflict that transcends earthly struggles and is fought with spiritual means. The Apostle Paul articulates this in his epistles, emphasizing the nature of the Christian's warfare as spiritual rather than physical.

Biblical Foundation:
The primary scriptural basis for this concept is found in Ephesians 6:12, where Paul writes, "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 Christian's battle as one that is not against human adversaries but against spiritual entities and forces.

Spiritual Armor:
To engage in this spiritual warfare, believers are instructed to put on the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11). This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace as footwear, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Each piece of armor represents a spiritual truth or practice that equips the believer to stand firm against spiritual attacks.

Prayer and Vigilance:
Prayer is a crucial component of waging war without earthly entanglements. Ephesians 6:18 urges believers to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition." This continuous prayer life is essential for maintaining spiritual vigilance and strength. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 states, "The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." This passage underscores the power of spiritual weapons, such as prayer and the Word of God, in overcoming spiritual strongholds.

Examples from Scripture:
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who engaged in spiritual warfare. Daniel's persistent prayer life, despite opposition, is a testament to spiritual warfare (Daniel 10:12-13). Jesus Himself, during His temptation in the wilderness, used Scripture to combat the devil's temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). These examples illustrate the importance of relying on spiritual resources rather than earthly means.

The Role of Faith:
Faith plays a pivotal role in this spiritual battle. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," recounts the accounts of those who, by faith, overcame various trials and adversities. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance empowers believers to engage in spiritual warfare with confidence, knowing that their victory is secured through Christ.

Christ's Victory:
Ultimately, the believer's confidence in spiritual warfare is rooted in the victory of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:15 declares, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Christ's triumph over sin and death assures believers that they are fighting from a position of victory, not for victory.

Conclusion:
The concept of "War without Earthly Entanglements" calls believers to recognize the spiritual nature of their battles and to rely on God's provision and power. By donning the full armor of God, engaging in persistent prayer, and standing firm in faith, Christians are equipped to face the spiritual challenges of this world, assured of their ultimate victory in Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Timothy 2:4
No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... when about to engage in a just war, vowed that ... hand asserts that perfection may exist
without it, we ... being thought blest who abandoned all earthly goods, and ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

Entangled in the Land
... knew that the Israelites had no spirit for war, and they ... If we leave them without
help and comfort in their ... Our earthly loves have great power over us, and it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/entangled in the land.htm

Book Eight Conversion to Christ. ...
... two evil minds in one man, both at war with each ... attracts us from above, and the
pleasure of earthly delight pulls ... me, "Do you think you can live without them ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book eight conversion to christ .htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... Lord Will-be-will in the Holy War, when fighting ... In all earthly things we anticipate
too much"but in ... salvation or damnation of thy soul, without good ground. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm

On the Soul and the Resurrection.
... is released by death from fleshly entanglements, and is ... did not leave that recklessness
of ours without a corrective ... becomes shame, and an intestine war is thus ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the soul and the 2.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

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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 Watchfulness
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