Hope is a Weapon
The world tends to think of hope as a nice, positive feeling that cheers us along life’s way and comforts us through the hard times. Although there is nothing wrong with that kind of hope, unless it is based on faith it is merely wishful thinking. Most of us aren’t prepared for the possibility that we could actually lose hope. It is not until we begin losing hope (or perhaps have already lost it) that we realize the depths to which we truly need it. We not only need hope so we will feel better. We need hope to survive.
“We need hope to survive. Losing hope can become a matter of life and death, which is part of the reason the enemy of our soul tries so hard to rob us of it.”
Simply put, losing hope can become a matter of life and death, which is part of the reason the enemy of our soul tries so hard to rob us of it. His ultimate goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. But God’s plan for us is to give us a future and a hope.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
This is why the Bible teaches us that genuine hope is a spiritual weapon—a very important one! Have you ever considered hope in that light?
“The Bible teaches us that genuine hope is a spiritual weapon.”
Provision for Protection
We need to understand that as Christians, we are involved in a tremendous spiritual conflict spanning heaven and earth. Our involvement in this spiritual conflict is not optional. We have no choice in the matter. It is mandatory. When we become Christians, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are automatically involved in this conflict with the powers of Satan and of darkness. Nowhere does this battle rage more powerfully than in our own minds.
Paul speaks about this in Ephesians 6:10–12:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. [Notice we are in direct conflict with the devil.] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [another translation says it is not against “persons with bodies.” We are struggling against unseen spiritual forces.], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Notice that our conflict is not just happening on the earthly plane; it is also on the heavenly plane. As I said earlier, this conflict spans heaven and earth. Paul then gives us the practical application of these verses in Ephesians 6:13:Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.I want to point out to you that we are not born with the armor in place, even when we are born again. We are born with the potential for putting on the armor of God. But we must take it up ourselves. It does not simply drop down on us.
“We are not born with the armor of God in place, even when we are born again. We are born with the potential for putting on the armor of God. But we must take it up ourselves.”
Battle Ready
In the verses quoted above, we also see that Paul does not say the evil day may come. He says you and I are going to experience it. Every one of us will encounter the evil day at some point. Be ready for it. Be fully armed. Notice his emphasis on the full armor.
As you read the verses that follow, keep in mind that Paul is identifying specific pieces of armor we will need to face the evil day.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14–17).We see that there are six pieces of armor, which I will list here:
The girdle or belt of truth
The breastplate of righteousness
The shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace
The shield of faith
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Actually, the complete list is sevenfold. There are six items of equipment, plus a seventh weapon. What is that weapon? It is the one which Charles Wesley, in one of his hymns, calls “the weapon of all prayer”—praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. The next verse, verse 18, tells us more about this additional weapon.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
How do we effectively activate the weapons? Through prayer.As I studied this list I came to realize that if a believer puts on each piece of equipment, he is completely protected from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet—upon one condition. What is that condition? That he doesn’t turn his back. Why? Because there is no protection for the back.
Staying in the Battle
“What can cause a Christian to give up and turn his defenseless back to the enemy? Hopelessness.”
If you turn your back, if you give up, if you say, “It’s no good, I can’t do it anymore, I’m giving up,” then you are turning a defenseless back to the devil. In your despair you may not realize it, but that is what you are doing. And believe me, the devil will pour in his fiery darts and wound you in the back. We have to stay facing the enemy.
What can cause a Christian to give up and turn his defenseless back to the enemy? Throughout the years of my ministry, I have consistently seen one circumstance that can cause even the most dedicated, faithful Christian to give up. It is not tragedy, loss, or a personal setback. It is hopelessness.The reason I share such a deep concern for Christians who are struggling with hopelessness is my own experience. My concern for you stems from a time in my own life, many years ago, when I was in a desperate battle with depression. Even though I was a mature Christian, in full-time ministry, I was losing all hope.I found out for myself about the wounds that can come from offering a defenseless back to the enemy because of hopelessness. But the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, not only led me to victory, but taught me how to maintain that victory throughout the rest of my life. It is my sincere prayer that my story will encourage you. I believe that if you are in a difficult battle with hopelessness, the Holy Spirit can do for you what He did for me.