When I was a seminarian many years ago, amid the social and religious turmoil of the 1960s, some people rejected the New Testament’s language of spiritual warfare to describe the Christian life. Anything that hinted of combat or violence had to give way to “peace and love,” even in the spiritual realm. However, if this viewpoint were to prevail, a significant element of the New Testament would be discarded. In the end, it is always better to let God’s word challenge us, rather than thinking that the time has come for us to change the Bible to suit ourselves.

Amid all the trials and turmoil of history, including today, even in our own diocese, it is important to remember that the life of the church is not one of unruffled calm or of peace and triumph.

The peace that Christ gives is not of this world. He comes “not to bring peace, but a sword.” (Mt 10: 34) Jesus is the strong one who came to overthrow the prince of this world (Mt 12:27ff; Lk 11:18ff). The conflict which Jesus waged against Satan and the world of sin is one that will be prolonged until the end of time, both in the church and in the life of every believer. Indeed, in “the last times” the conflict is destined to grow in subtlety, brutality and intensity.

Christ is already the conqueror of the world and the Lord of history. Only when He comes again, however, will all evil be definitively cast into hell, and perfect peace reign supreme. In the meantime, those who believe in Christ are exposed to the hatred of the world (Jn 15:18-21). The church collectively endures the assaults of the powers of a sinful world in league with the evil one.

Individually, each Christian wages a spiritual battle, not using human violence or worldly tactics, which Jesus renounced, but relying on the power of God. It is when we become totally poor and powerless in the eyes of the world, as Jesus did on the cross, that we are spiritually powerful. A severely ill or disabled person, uniting his or her sufferings to Christ, can be a real “prayer warrior,” and whenever we fight evil with good, even to the point of martyrdom, we are truly conquerors.

Both of the great princes of the apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, have something to say about this.

In Ephesians Paul writes: “…our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench 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.” (Eph 6:10ff)

And St. Peter writes: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To Him be dominion forever. Amen.” (1 Pet 5:8f)
I said earlier that to reject these images would be a distortion of God’s word, but there also needs to be a note of caution. God can bring good out of evil, and the scourge of war can bring out the best in people and bond them together, but war is always ugly and hard. No one hates war more than those who have actually had to fight one on the front line, and have stared its horrors in the face.

To speak of spiritual warfare is to speak of hard things too: of death to self, of discipline, the patient endurance of moral and physical sufferings that result from original sin, of temptations and trials, and the carrying of the cross. Although victory is assured in Christ, there are many casualties, many wounded in the conflict, which rages not only in the world, but also in the church. Jesus warned us of scandals, failures, of hirelings, false teachers, of houses that collapse and of seeds that wither and die.

One has only to think of Judas who turned traitor and despaired; of Peter who denied but repented; of Thomas who doubted and then believed; of Paul who first persecuted and then proclaimed Christ. And the list of saints and sinners goes on through all of history. The wheat and the weeds grow side by side, as the Gospel parable says. Many times the weeds get the upper hand; only in the end is the good harvested and the worthless burned. But until the end comes, there is always hope for all.

As for ourselves, let us remember Paul’s words to Timothy: “Take your share of hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” for “we can only reign with Him if we first persevere.” (2 Tim 2:3, 12)

+MOST REVEREND LEONARD P. BLAIR
      BISHOP OF TOLEDO