Proven Weapons for Holiness: Word of God, Prayer, Fasting, Fellowship, Serving

Proven Weapons in the Fight for Holiness

As believers, we are called to fight the good fight of faith, to wage war against the flesh and the world, and to pursue holiness. But what are the weapons at our disposal in this fight?

In this article, we will explore some of the proven weapons that believers have used throughout history to fight for holiness. These weapons are not mere human efforts, but they are empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in the Word of God.

The Word of God

The Word of God is our primary weapon in the fight for holiness. It is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

When we face temptation or sin, we must use the Word of God to combat it. Jesus Himself used the Word to resist temptation when He was in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Similarly, we must memorize and meditate on the Word so that it becomes a part of us and helps us to discern right from wrong.

Furthermore, the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It guides us in the way of righteousness and warns us of the dangers of sin. As we read, study, and apply the Word of God to our lives, it transforms us and helps us to become more like Christ.

Prayer

Prayer is another powerful weapon in the fight for holiness. Through prayer, we commune with God, confess our sins, and ask for His help in resisting temptation and overcoming sin.

Jesus Himself modeled the importance of prayer in His own life. He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16). He also taught His disciples to pray, giving them the Lord’s Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13).

As we pray, we must also remember that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. The Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). We can therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Fasting

Fasting is a discipline that has been practiced by believers throughout history as a means of seeking God’s face and pursuing holiness. Fasting is not a way to earn God’s favor or manipulate Him into doing what we want, but it is a way to humble ourselves before God and seek His will.

Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). Similarly, the apostle Paul and other early believers fasted and prayed before making important decisions (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).

While fasting, we must remember that it is not the act of fasting itself that makes us holy, but it is the attitude of our hearts. We must fast with a sincere desire to seek God’s will and to be conformed to the image of Christ. As we fast and pray, the Holy Spirit works in us to transform us into the likeness of Christ.

Fellowship

Fellowship with other believers is also an essential weapon in the fight for holiness. We were not created to live in isolation, but we were created for community.

As we gather together with other believers, we encourage one another, pray for one another, and hold one another accountable. We also learn from one another and grow in our understanding of God’s Word.

The writer of Hebrews exhorts us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to encourage one another, all the more as we see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:25). As we gather together in fellowship, the Holy Spirit works in us to build us up and to empower us to fight the good fight of faith.

Serving Others

Serving others is another powerful weapon in the fight for holiness. When we serve others, we are putting the needs of others before our own. We are imitating the example of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

Serving others also helps us to take our focus off of ourselves and to see the needs of others. It helps us to develop compassion and empathy for others, and it helps us to grow in humility.

Furthermore, serving others is a way to demonstrate the love of Christ to a hurting world. As we serve others, the Holy Spirit works in us to transform us into the likeness of Christ and to empower us to fight against the selfishness and pride that can lead to sin.

The Armor of God

The apostle Paul exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). The armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Each piece of armor represents a different aspect of our identity in Christ and helps us to stand firm against the attacks of the enemy. As we put on the armor of God, we must also remember that it is not our own strength that we are relying on, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to stand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fight for holiness is not an easy one, but we have been given powerful weapons to fight with. The Word of God, prayer, fasting, fellowship, serving others, and the armor of God are all essential weapons in the fight for holiness.

As we use these weapons, we must also remember that it is not our own strength that we are relying on, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to stand. We also must remember that the pursuit of holiness is a lifelong journey, and we must be patient with ourselves and with others as we strive to become more like Christ.

May we all be encouraged and empowered by the Holy Spirit to fight the good fight of faith and to pursue holiness with all our hearts.