The real battle: ‘The weapons of our warfare are not physical’ (2 Corinthians 10:4)

2026-02-22 - 00:57

Pastor Julien Cyrus In a world where more than 130 significant wars are being fought right now (according to the International Committee of the Red Cross), we need to understand what is happening in the spiritual realm that influences and sustains such an environment through the years. Undoubtedly, in T&T, there is a war going on! A few days ago, our horrified nation viewed a gunman executing a fallen mother with a bullet to the head in front of her screaming three-year-old daughter, whom she was desperately trying to protect. Obviously, we are experiencing some parahuman activity; something deeper is happening. The manifestations of the ongoing struggle between light and darkness and the forces of good and evil are evident. The spoils of war to be claimed by the victors are the souls of men. War requires that we clearly identify who is for us and who is against us. Paul reveals that our struggle is not against fellow human beings, but against spirits—principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons and spiritual armour. Human weapons are ineffective against spirits of darkness. Spiritual warfare is all about information. It is fought with information, won by information, sustained by information, and lost by a lack of information, which highlights the importance of knowing God’s Word. The gospel message gives us an education that neutralises every institution of darkness and creates a highway for God to move into our space. John, in describing Messiah’s impact, said, “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth” (Luke 3:5). Sadly, we have become too wise for our own good. Is anyone aware that our formal education system has failed our youth? Other deadly informal systems have moved in to snare the many victims who have fallen behind. Opportunities for deviant beliefs and lofty opinions that turn people away from loving God and respecting one another abound. Our failure to man our national gates has resulted in our nation being overrun by spirits of wickedness, murder, and undesired social ideals. We no longer enjoy a sense of community and are hopelessly ignorant of the royal law which is to love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). We urgently need to repent – change our thinking – and turn to God’s way of living, which is the exercise of brotherly love. True repentance is required, not conscience blockers and religious hypocrisy that keep us spiritually dead. Repentance does not mean being sorry for a month when the plan is to repeat the same activities at the next occasion. The thief means business. He has come to steal, kill and destroy. Earth must unite and agree with heaven against this villain. Allow God to be right for once and obey him. “If you are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword” (Isaiah 1:19-20).