A Forgotten Tool of Spiritual Warfare (Part 2 of 2)

By Kelly McDonald, JR.

In the last article, we discussed the importance of fellowship as a tool of spiritual warfare. We described how the Roman Soldiers linked their shields side by side to protect each other. This required that they worked together. In Ephesians 6:12-18, Paul talks about the shield of faith. The Greek word for shield is thuros. The root word for thuros means a door. It is a direct reference to the scutum shield from Roman times.

In order for God’s army to be effective, we must learn to link our faith with the faith of others. As Solomon said: “11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:11-13).

Each of us has strengths and weaknesses. Where we may struggle, others have victory, and vice versa. Working together helps us to sharpen one another. When we read the Bible, God’s people worked together. Moses worked with Joshua and the elders under them. Jesus sent the 70 out two at a time. The Apostles worked together to resolve issues and transact Kingdom business. Paul worked with Timothy and the elders under them.

We were made to work together. It is good to have another perspective. When we fellowship, we impart counsel to one another, often without knowing it. My early days of spiritual growth were spent soaking in what others had to say so I could live God’s way. Many times people didn’t know what I was going through, but someone would usually say something that I needed to hear right when I needed to hear it!

Godly counsel from those with wisdom is imperative (Proverbs 25:22, 11:14, 26:4). Someone else has the Word for us when we are weary (Isaiah 50:4). We need encouragement and even correction. People are going through trials and they need clues to help them persevere. We need to pray, study, and even eat together. Jesus did all these things with others.

Will we have differences? Of course we will. The Bible tells us: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). When iron and iron hit each other, there are sparks. When we fellowship, there will be differences of personality, but we mature by working through these differences.

I encourage you all to go to church early. Stay late. Spend some time getting to know people you don’t know right now. We need each other. Let’s be the Body of Christ to each other and to the world.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Kelly is president of the BSA. You can follow him at www.kellymcdonaldjr.com