Introduction: We Are in a Spiritual War
To follow Christ, we must begin with a right mind—a mind that sees clearly what is of God and what is not. Once you understand that your flesh and your natural understanding are not you, but are actually enemies of God, the picture becomes clearer: you are at spiritual war. This is not just a metaphorical idea. The Bible is replete with military language, spiritual battles, and calls to overcome.
Our flesh leads to sin (Galatians 5:17), and our understanding apart from God is foolishness (Proverbs 3:5). The war we fight is not against our own selves but against the impostors masquerading as us—our flesh and carnal mind.
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other” – Galatians 5:17 (KJV)
Dying to Self: What It Really Means
Many believe dying to self means giving up things like money, friends, or even family. Indeed, the Bible does ask us to forsake all for Christ:
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26 (KJV)
But the hardest things to let go of are the things we believe actually are us: our thoughts, our opinions, and our desires. To be born again is not simply to start attending church—it is to become a new creature entirely:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
The Bride, The Child, and the Family of God
Why does Scripture call us the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27)? Why are we called children of God (Romans 8:14)? Why brothers and sisters in Christ (Matthew 12:50)? Because these roles redefine our identity. Just as a bride becomes one with her groom, and a child derives identity from their parent, we are to become one with Christ and be transformed.
“For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” – Ephesians 5:31 (KJV)
Our new identity is not in our blood family, or in the person we once were, but in Christ alone. We are no longer loyal to flesh and blood above God.
How to Fight the Right War
We are not called to kill flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), but to destroy every stronghold that exalts itself against God. How?
- Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
- Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41)
- Fast and pray (Matthew 6:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Submit in love (Ephesians 5:22-25)
- Meditate on the Word (Psalm 1:2)
These are acts of warfare against the carnal nature. To the world, they look like weakness. But to those in the Spirit, they are acts of powerful resistance against sin and death.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds).” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (KJV)
The Invisible War Is Real
To the world, we appear as sheep being led to the slaughter (Romans 8:36). But they don’t see the war we fight. They don’t recognize that the enemy may look like a father’s advice, a friend’s worldly suggestion, or a child’s immorality pleading for acceptance. But we see. And we fight.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV)
We are savage killers of the flesh and of our ungodly understanding. We destroy pride, vengeance, and worldly wisdom through humble obedience to the Word.
Conclusion: Waging War God’s Way
To win this spiritual war, you must reject what feels like you and embrace what is you in Christ. That is your true self. The Bible is your training manual. The Spirit is your guide. The Church is your battalion. The world doesn’t understand it, but heaven is watching.
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.” – 1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
You are in a spiritual fight. Fight well.
Related Resource: The Sermon on the Mount (KJV) and Bible Online