The concept of the "Warfare of Saints" refers to the spiritual battle that true believers in Christ are called to engage in, as opposed to those who merely profess faith without genuine commitment. This warfare is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil, as outlined in Ephesians 6:12 : "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."

Nature of the Warfare

The warfare of saints is characterized by a continuous struggle against sin, the world, and the devil. True believers are called to put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13-17 , which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This spiritual armor equips the saints to stand firm in their faith and resist the temptations and deceptions of the enemy.

Mere Professors vs. True Believers

Mere professors of faith may outwardly appear to be part of the Christian community, but they lack the inward transformation and commitment that characterize true believers. Jesus addressed this distinction in Matthew 7:21-23 : "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'"

True believers, in contrast, are marked by their perseverance in faith and their active engagement in spiritual warfare. They are not content with mere outward expressions of faith but seek to live in obedience to God's will, as evidenced by their reliance on the Holy Spirit and their commitment to prayer and the study of Scripture.

The Role of Faith and Perseverance

Faith is the cornerstone of the believer's warfare. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This faith is not passive but is demonstrated through perseverance and action. James 2:26 reminds us, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Perseverance in the face of trials and temptations is a hallmark of the true believer's warfare. James 1:12 encourages believers with these words: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

The Victory in Christ

The ultimate victory in the warfare of saints is assured 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 through human strength or wisdom but through the power of Christ's resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to remain steadfast, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In summary, the warfare of saints is a spiritual battle that requires genuine faith, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength. Mere professors, lacking true commitment, do not engage in this warfare, while true believers are equipped and empowered to stand firm against the forces of evil, assured of victory through Christ.Jeremiah 9:3
And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth on the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... be fond of having the doctrine of saints' perseverance much ... talents in feeding the
church with mere abstractions ... constrain them to a constant warfare against sin ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords 2.htm

Enduring to the End
... need not look to analogy and to mere common sense ... at least, a furlough from this
constant warfare?" The flesh ... of God, preparing a place for his saints; and will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

Good Earnests of Great Success
... If we go the warfare at our own charges we must not ... not to the ministers, but delivered
to the saints, to every ... as he to go out to the fight, the mere men-at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/good earnests of great success.htm

Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church.
... objective faith once delivered to the saints,' which he ... without carrying doubts founded
upon mere criticism and ... a few whose favourite mode of warfare it will be ...
/.../seances historiques de genevethe national.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... in their blind rage tread under foot the saints of God ... part, which comes as it were
of mere compulsion? ... For not long after, being in warfare, Julian received a ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ...
... In the former there was a mere handful of dioceses, of ... which the Emperor was too
busy with warfare on the ... the Nicene, as an assembly of the saints [56] .' The ...
/.../introduction chapter i the life and.htm

Footnotes
... authority of parliament, but "a mere ministerial testimony ... with their associated
ministers and professors may allege ... hated and allowed not and do not that which ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... I writing of the way, And race of saints, in this ... in a great chafe, What would the
devil do for company ... also highly in esteem by several old professors; some of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... him in thy closet nor in the congregation of saints. ... in public, and there be many
professors whose hearts ... of their bosoms to work, they do not strive against ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... and fathers, those thunderbolts of scholastic warfare, dwindled into ... is made ours
by a mere external application ... his fulness have all we [saints] received, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

What is warfare prayer? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare? | GotQuestions.org

Spiritual Warfare ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Warfare: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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