Adeyemo’s Bible reading dealt with”Our Weapons of Warfare” against the five enemies noted by Gitari in his opening address. The weapons used in battle depend on the nature of the warfare, and the exposition presented Ephesians. 6:10-19; 2 Cor. 10:3-6; and Zech. 4:1-7 as laying out the weapons of our warfare.
God’s Weapons: We can only speak of our weapons in the light of our moral obligation, since our weapons belong to God. Ephesians notes that they are “the whole armor of God.” We are morally obliged to put them on. God adequately equips with the right weapons for the battle. 2 Corinthians indicates that these weapons are “mighty in God” or “divinely powerful.” Zechariah informs us that it is “by my Spirit,” not our own might or power. God’s weapons are singular in form but plural in function.
God’s Wisdom: Rather than developing different kinds of weapons for different kinds of conflict, God brought only one weapons adaptable to all circumstances and times. God’s way looks ludicrous to the world, but it is still appropriate for the battle we face (David facing Goliath; Joshua and Jericho; Jesus submitting to the cross). These examples remind us that God still works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. The role of the Spirit in spiritual warfare cannot be overemphasized–standing on God’s power alone is our only method. However, we do have a responsibility.
Man’s Weakness: Paul notes that we have “this treasure in earthen vessels.” Out of our weakness, the Christian soldier has five responsibilities: 1) To have faith in God and in His Word, and this to be new and fresh in each conflict; 2) To stand in Christ all the time in the conviction that God will deliver the enemy (but this standing is not possible if we do not deal with unconfessed sin); 3) To have an attitude of watchfulness accompanied by earnest prayer; 4) To seek to be Spirit filled on a daily basis; and 5) To live in obedience to God.
God’s weapons of warfare has been tested over the centuries and has never failed. The 21st century will not be an exception to this. Are we responding to the Spirit as He instructs? Are we living in the reality of letting God’s strength show through our weakness? The fact that God resides in us and our weapons are heavenly and that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, we shall overcome.