Using Torah And The New Covenant Scriptures As Weapons Of Defense: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Introduction: Armed with God's Word
In the spiritual battle we face daily, the weapons of our defense are not physical. As Messianic Jewish believers, we understand that spiritual warfare involves engaging in an unseen battle that impacts both our lives and the destiny of the world. The forces of darkness seek to attack our faith, lead us into sin, and undermine the promises of God for Israel and the nations. In this warfare, our most powerful weapons are not our own strategies or strength, but the very Word of God, which stands as an eternal weapon against all forces of evil.
For Messianic believers, these weapons of defense come from both the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the New Covenant Scriptures—two complementary and intertwined sources of divine truth. The Torah contains the foundation of God’s Law, while the New Covenant Scriptures (which include the teachings of Yeshua and the early writings of His followers) offer further revelation that brings to completion the work of redemption through Him. Together, these sacred texts provide the defense we need in spiritual warfare, equipping us to resist the enemy, stand firm in faith, and fulfill our purpose in God’s eternal plan.
This chapter will explore how both the Torah and the New Covenant Scriptures can be used as effective weapons of defense in spiritual warfare. We will look at the powerful truths they contain and how Messianic believers can employ them to fight the enemy's schemes, protect their faith, and walk in the victory that Yeshua secured for us.
1. Torah as a Weapon of Defense: Living in Covenant with God
The Torah is the foundational revelation of God’s will, and it is the first place where we encounter His commands, His covenant, and His promises. As Messianic believers, we affirm that the Torah is not just a set of ancient laws but a living Word that guides our hearts and protects us in the spiritual battle. God's commands are the first line of defense against the forces of darkness, for they align us with His will and shield us from the enemy's influence.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Moses speaks of the importance of keeping God's commandments close to our hearts and teaching them to future generations. He writes:
> "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hands, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8)
This command is not just a call for religious observance but an imperative for spiritual warfare. By living according to God’s Word, we guard ourselves against sin and temptation, we prepare ourselves to discern evil, and we establish a spiritual boundary that protects us from the enemy.
God’s commandments, when kept, act as a hedge of protection around us. The Torah also teaches us the importance of obedience to God, which in turn strengthens our resistance to spiritual attacks. When we live according to God’s Law, we walk in alignment with His protection and authority, which is a powerful defense against the spiritual forces that seek to lead us astray.
2. Yeshua’s Fulfillment of the Law: The New Covenant and Its Power
The Torah points us to Yeshua, the Messiah who came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it (Matthew 5:17). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Yeshua established the New Covenant, a promise of grace, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal for those who believe in Him. While the Torah lays the foundation, Yeshua’s teachings and His sacrifice bring its fulfillment and provide us with an even more powerful defense against the enemy.
Yeshua's blood is the ultimate weapon against the accuser, Satan. In Revelation 12:10-11, we read:
> "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.'" (Revelation 12:10-11)
Through the blood of Yeshua, we are redeemed, and the enemy's accusations against us are nullified. This is a key weapon in spiritual warfare. By declaring our faith in Yeshua and the power of His blood, we push back against the enemy's lies, accusations, and temptations.
Yeshua’s teachings, particularly His emphasis on love, forgiveness, and truth, are also weapons of defense. In Matthew 4:1-11, when Yeshua was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He used the Scriptures—specifically from the Torah—to resist the enemy. Each time the devil attempted to lead Him astray, Yeshua responded with the Word of God, saying:
> "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)
Yeshua showed us that the Torah, when wielded in faith, is a powerful weapon to defeat the enemy’s schemes. His use of the Word as a defensive tool in the wilderness serves as a model for all believers. When we face spiritual battles, we must use the Scriptures, particularly those that affirm the victory of Yeshua and the fulfillment of God’s promises, to stand firm and resist the enemy.
3. The Holy Spirit as Our Guide and Strength
The Holy Spirit, who dwells in every believer, is a crucial part of our defense in spiritual warfare. In John 14:26, Yeshua promised that the Holy Spirit would teach and remind us of everything He had said:
> "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)
In times of attack, it is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of the truth of God’s Word and empowers us to stand firm. The Spirit enables us to recall specific Scriptures that we can use as weapons of defense. He strengthens our resolve, gives us wisdom, and helps us discern the enemy’s tactics. Without the Holy Spirit, we are left to rely on our own understanding and strength, which is insufficient in the face of spiritual battle.
The Spirit also brings peace in the midst of chaos, reassuring us of God’s presence and power. As Messianic believers, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer, to guide us in battle, and to remind us of our identity in Yeshua.
4. The Role of Scripture in Defeating the Enemy
Both the Torah and the New Covenant Scriptures are essential for our spiritual defense. The enemy’s primary goal is to steal, kill, and destroy, and his weapon of choice is deception. The only way to expose and defeat his lies is by standing firm in the truth of God’s Word.
The Bible is filled with promises that reassure us of God’s faithfulness. In Isaiah 54:17, we are told:
> "No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)
This promise is a direct defense against the spiritual weapons of the enemy. No weapon formed against us—whether it be fear, temptation, or false accusation—can stand when we are armed with the truth of God’s Word. We have the authority to rebuke the enemy, using the Scriptures as our weapon.
In addition, Yeshua Himself promises that those who remain in Him will overcome:
> "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
This assurance of victory gives us the confidence to wield God’s Word in the midst of trial. Through Yeshua’s victory, we too have the power to overcome.
Conclusion: Defending with Torah and the New Covenant
The spiritual warfare we face as Messianic Jewish believers is real, but we are not left defenseless. The Torah and the New Covenant Scriptures provide us with the weapons we need to resist the enemy, stand firm in faith, and walk in victory. By living according to God’s commands, relying on the blood of Yeshua, and empowering ourselves with the Holy Spirit, we can effectively wage spiritual warfare and defeat the lies and schemes of the enemy.
As we rely on the truth of Scripture, we remember that victory has already been secured through Yeshua. Our role is to stand firm, declare the Word of God, and resist the enemy until the final victory is won. By wielding Torah and the New Covenant Scriptures as weapons of defense, we affirm that the battle belongs to the Lord, and He will deliver us from every attack.
