What Happened When I Laid Down My Weapon

For the weapons of our warfare 

are not of the flesh 

but have divine power 

to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:4

The current hotly debated  topic of gun control has caused me to reflect upon the handling of my own weapon...  a weapon that I have recently laid down with dire consequences...

I'm not someone who thinks about Satan being "behind every bush" or dwells on thoughts of Satan in any way.  

But lately, as I struggle in a spiritual funk, I realize that I have indeed allowed myself to come under spiritual attack...  

My desire for spiritual things has been waning.   My prayer life is not what it used to be.   My old, besetting sinful habits are resurfacing.  I have been pulling away from time at church outside of Sunday mornings.   I am physically fatigued.   I feel overwhelmed, pulled in many different directions...

I have essentially abandoned my "first love".  Rev 2:4

Why?  Because I voluntarily laid down my weapon...  My weapon against spiritual warfare...

Sounds pretty much like Satan's modus operandi, doesn't it?  A chapter right out of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters where Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining faith and of promoting sin in "the Patient".

We can learn much about the importance of keeping our weapons drawn and ready at all times for the attacks of the devil from Screwtape himself!

Screwtape says...

"Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

But God says...

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is 

the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is 

the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

Isaiah 35:8

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

Matthew 7:24-27

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; 

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalm 16:11

Screwtape says...

"It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."

But God says...

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, put these things into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.…

Philippians 4:8

Screwtape says...

"There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy (God). He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them."

But God says...

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5

Screwtape says...

"If once they get through this initial dryness successfully, they become much less dependent on emotion and therefore much harder to tempt."

But God says...

...Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you... that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31-32

God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,

 Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68:6

Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.

Amos 8:11

 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:12

Can you relate to how I've been feeling lately?  Have you laid down your weapon?

We must persevere and hold firm to our faith.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

1 Peter 5:9

How do we persevere?  By always carrying our weapon...

Our weapon of persistent prayer

Our weapon of time in the Word

Our weapon of Scripture memorization

Our weapon of fellowship with other Believers

Our weapon of service in our churches and communities

And above all, our weapon of the Cross of Christ


Let us pick up our weapons and fight the good fight, so that we may finish the race, having kept the faith, so that we will receive the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award us on that day.  - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 




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