Saturday Song: Bolland, "You're in the Army Now"

Though this song was written and performed in the early eighties, it still brings back memories to us who lived through the Vietnam war years. In fact, the whole theme of the Domino Theory album is about that conflict and how it effected soldiers.

Listen to a live performance of this song here.

Believe it or not, all born-again Christians are in Christ's army. Only our weaponry is different from worldly armies and jihadists. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV), "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)"

Not only that but Paul likened our armor to the real thing. For example, we must wear our breastplates and helmets. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (KJV), he wrote, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

We also need to wear a belt to keep our armour together and for our scabbards. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:14 (KJV), "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) tells us how our only offensive weapon can defeat our satanic enemies.  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Paul likewise admonished his protege in 1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV) to, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

How beautiful it is that we don't kill our enemies but love them with the gospel. Imagine how peaceful this world would be if no religions urged their followers to avenge themselves on those who don't believe the doctrines they do. But we're stuck with the world we have.

I'll be dealing with the topic of revenge on Monday. This is another subject where the Bible and the Quran differ.

The Spiritual Warfare Error

 Among all the errors I've pointed out so far, this is one of the most ridiculous doctrines preached by charismatic ministers. But had they studied the subject correctly, they'd have noticed it isn't about chasing demons.

So what is spiritual warfare? Simply put, it's preaching the truth from scripture. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV), "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"

The context of this chapter shows plainly that we battle lies and faulty human reasoning with God's Word. It isn't done by binding and rebuking Satan. Matthew 18:18 clearly is in the context of church discipline, not, as charismatics claim, sending demons to the abyss. They preach utter nonsense and are deluded into thinking they're serving Christ.

And as Paul admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The sixth chapter of Ephesians lists the spiritual Armour which we must wear at all times. Each part is needed for the destruction of Satan's lies, one of those being that demon-chasing doctrine. As C. S. Lewis noted in his book, The Screwtape Letters, people have two equal and opposite errors about demons. Either they don't believe there are any or they're obsessed by them to the point where they aren't preaching the gospel.

I need to write my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Satan has millions of lies, all designed to pull people off the narrow way. My intent and mission is to pull people onto that straight way.

Stay tuned for more excellent Bible teaching. I have many more errors to comment on next month.