Women of the Bible Lesson 11 Jael: A Story of Courage Part 9 Spiritual Weapons

2 Corinthians 10:4-6, “For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.” (AMPC) 

Over the past few weeks, as we studied the Armor of God, we have covered two of our spiritual weapons, the Word and prayer. Today we will look at another weapon, Worship.    

Worship is a condition of the heart. It is purposeful and intentional elevation of God above everything else.i 

“Worship is one of the most important things human beings can do, not because it feeds God’s ego, but because it lines us up with Him and against our enemy. Worship is an act of war. It is also an act of participation, strengthening our relationship with God and with each other.” 

“In worship we declare that we are on God’s side. We declare this to God, to ourselves, to other people, and to the whole spirit realm.”  Worship: Beyond the Hymnbook, Dr. Charles Kraft 

Worship is a powerful weapon.   

First, worship shifts our focus.  Worship takes our focus off our battle and puts it onto God.  It reminds us of God’s goodness and mercy.  Worship keeps our eyes on Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne”. (NLT) 

Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (ESV) 

Hebrews 4:6, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV) 

How often do we dwell on, stewing over, or grumbling about our battles?  When we find ourselves dwelling on, stewing over, or grumbling about our battles, we must first take the thoughts captive, and then begin to worship! Our focus will change from our situation onto our Savior.   

Second, worship changes our perspective.  In the middle of a battle, it is often hard to see the good things that are happening because the negative is given the spotlight.  When we worship, we begin to see the hand of God and the victories.   

James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (ESV) 

John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT) 

God only gives us good and perfect gifts, however, even when things do not appear good and perfect, Jesus has already overcome the world and the victory is assured!  As we worship our Conquering King, we begin to see the good and perfect in the middle of the chaos.  We begin to identify the hand of God in every battle and our perspective changes because we know God is on our side! 

Thirdly, worship changes our priorities.  So often when we are faced with a battle, we want only to escape it.  However, when we worship, we begin to align our desires with those of the Father.   

Our pastor taught once on 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (NLT) He talked about how we often want the way of escape, but that it is in going through the difficult situations, trials, testing, and battles that our faith and perseverance are developed. 

James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)  

Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (NLT) 

Colossians 3:20, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (ESV) 

As we worship in the middle of the battle our priorities change. No longer do we look for the escape hatch, but we begin to dig into the deeper things of God and allow Him to affect growth in our life through the battle! 

Fourth, worship alters the atmosphere. Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines atmosphere as: the air of a locality, a surrounding influence or environment. 

In John 12 we find the account of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.  This was an extravagant act of worship.  John 12:3, “Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.” (NLT) 

The atmosphere (air) of the house was changed by Mary’s act of worship.  The air became super charged with the fragrance of the nard.  Mary’s worship also influenced the environment in that room.  Some gathered there became angry at her “waste”, however, for some this was an encounter that they would remember long after the death and resurrection of Christ.  Her worship is still being told of today!  

Fifthly, worship confuses the enemy.  In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 we read the account of King Jehoshaphat and the army of Judah facing the combined armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites.  Jehoshaphat ordered the entire nation of Judah to fast and seek God.  God then spoke through Jahaziel, He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (NLT) 

The next morning King Jehoshaphat sent out worshippers in front of the army.  2 Chronicles 20:22-24, “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.” 

Worship confuses our enemy.  He does not expect us to worship in the middle of the battle.  His expectation is grumbling and complaining.  When we choose to worship instead, we disarm him and rob him of the opportunity to steal our peace and joy! 

Sixth, worship frees captives. In Acts 16 we find the record of Paul and Silas in Philippi. After having ministered there for many days, Paul cast out a demon from a slave girl who through the demon was able to tell fortunes.  When her master saw that his hope of making money through her was destroyed, he caused a mob to drag Paul and Silas to the city officials and charged them with teaching things that were not legal in Roman.  After being stripped and beaten with wooden rods, they were thrown into prison. 

Acts 16:25-26, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” (NLT) 

As we worship, the chains the enemy has tried to bind us with fall helplessly to the ground, broken by the presence and power of God Most High!!!!!!!  Worship causes the ground under the enemy’s feet to be shaken, while we stand firmly on the Rock!!! 

Finally, worship breaks down walls.  Joshua 6 presents us with the details of an amazingly crazy battle plan that God laid out Joshua and the children of Israel.  Joshua and the fighting men, led by seven priests, each carrying a ram’s horn and walking ahead of the ark of the Lord, were to march around Jericho once each day for six days, while remaining totally silent. Then on the seventh day they were to march around Jericho seven times with the priest blowing horns.  On the seventh lap, when the people heard the priests blow one long blast on the ram’s horn, they were all to shout as loud as they could.     

“This was a shout for mastery, a triumphant shout; the shout of a king is among them, Num. 23:21. This was a shout of faith; they believed that the walls of Jericho would fall, and by this faith the walls were thrown down. It was a shot of prayer, an echo to the sound of the trumpets which proclaimed the promise that God would remember them; with one accord, as one man, they cry to heaven for help, and help comes in.”ii 

This was worship!!!!  The Israelites shouted in faith filled worship to God and the walls came crashing down! The enemy tries to get us all to build up walls.  These walls can be built upon hurt, offense, or even misunderstanding.  They can be built between us and others or us and God.  When we actively spend time in intimate worship, we will see these walls begin to crumble and in time fall completely.  We cannot stay angry or hurt when we are giving our entire being to worship.  His presence breaks down the walls as His love heals the wounds!!!! 

In conclusion, we must remember that worship is not just an action, it is a condition of our hearts!  Worship is a powerful weapon that shifts our focus, changes our perspective, changes our priorities, alters the atmosphere, confuses the enemy, frees captives, and breaks down walls.  Let’s get our Worship On!!!!!! 

Works Cited: 

i https://rosilindjukic.com/spiritual-weapons-battle-is-long/ 

ii Matthew Henry's Commentary