“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh” (II Corinthians 10:3).

This date sixty years ago marked the entrance of our nation into the terrible World War II, the fading memories of which were recently stirred up by the dubious “Pearl Harbor” movie. and then by the unspeakable “Attack on America” on September 11. What this strange new war will bring in days to come we do not know. But we must trust in God and try to discern and follow His will, both nationally and individually.

For each of us is also in a perpetual spiritual war. In fact, the whole world system is at war with its Maker, and its commander-in-chief is Satan, the “god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4). Paul exhorts us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) because, as Peter says, “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

This war we are in with Satan is not a war to be fought with bullets, or even with ballots. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4,5).

At least a portion of the war must be fought and won daily within our own souls—and then we can do battle with Satan more effectively for the souls of those still deceived by him. Clad in God’s spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6:14–16), and wielding “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17,18), we indeed can each be “a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3). HMM