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Timothy was to "war a good warfare" (1 Timothy 1:18). He was to use the "prophecies previously made". They could be regarded as weaponry by which he could wage successful spiritual warfare. In the battle against error and the hindrances of Satan, Timothy was not only to be reinforced by the prophecies, as a skilled and fit leading officer he was to engage the enemy with them. It is described as "good warfare" as opposed to the evil of the world, the flesh and the devil. It is also good because in love it is waged for the good of the lost, and the good of the saved, to establish and equip them for the good fight. The good warfare will glorify God and have a good end.
To fight with prophetic weapons we must know our weapons and how to use them.
The apostles were living in bodies of flesh, but from what Paul said, they did not use fleshly methods or motives in their fighting the good fight of faith (2 Corinthians 10:3). Paul is telling Timothy to war "according to the prophecies" indicating that Timothy fight with spiritual power.
Rely on spiritual weapons, not carnal, such as cleverness, fluency, money and prestige to accomplish gospel aims, or the stemming of false teaching, and demolishing enemy strongholds. In these days, when there is so much emphasis on, organisation and management methods, talent and performance, we need to get a fresh appreciation of spiritual weapons. Paul knew their great effectiveness.
2 Corinthians 10:4 " For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,"
That the previous prophecies would refer to Timothy being a man of the Spirit is more than probable, therefore Paul could count on Timothy discounting the ways of the flesh, and his commitment to the use of spiritual power.
Do you think and plan and work in spiritual power?
The previous prophecies received by Timothy were from the Lord (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). The prophecies would emphasise not only that Timothy was called by the Lord to work for Him. There would also be described what his actual calling was, and the work he was equipped to do. Timothy was strengthened by knowing that he was personally called to specific ministry.
An authentic leadership of elders also knew and confirmed that he was called. Paul was confident of Timothy's appointment and anointing. He also had this endorsement of the Holy Spirit in the prophecies concerning him.
A unique call to leadership fortifies the recipient to survive opposition, persecution and suffering. Those who have gone before you who lived and walked in faith (e.g Paul), endured the most dramatic opposition and suffering and in all this they always experienced the Lord's guidance and presence. Those armed with a clear call experienced the reality of the supporting presence of the Lord.
Armed with a definite call makes authority a reality. Paul regularly presented his calling as his authority, in his epistles, "Paul an apostle" (1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1 NKJV). Even to Timothy his son in the faith who recognised Paul's authority and served with him, why did Paul open his letters to Timothy in this way? Because he desired him to know he was writing him from the position of his authority. He also wanted Timothy to exercise the authority of his calling in accordance with the prophecies, no matter what the personal cost to Timothy himself.
Sadly, these are places where there is no challenge to wrong teaching and God-dishonouring practises, because the leader is without a real call from God, and cannot act with authority. All the Bible College training and the approval of some organisation cannot substitute for a personal call from the Lord.
If you are not sure of a definite call, seek the Lord with determined fasting and prayer until the matter is settled. Share your experience with God-anointed, Spirit-filled leaders so that your calling may be approved and explained. See to it that you are armed with a definite call from God.
Probably gifts of the Holy Spirit that would be evident in the ministry of Timothy were spoken in the prophecies concerning him (1 Timothy 1:18). The elders, by the act of laying on of hands were identifying in faith with what the Holy Spirit had intimated. (1 Timothy 4:14). Those whom God chooses to do His work He copiously imparts anointing and gifts of the Holy Spirit, necessary to accomplish the work (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).
Value the prophetic promises received when your call was recognised. God takes up those who are aware of their personal inadequacy and by His gifts makes them adequate. An outstanding example of this is Moses (cf Exodus 3:11). It is spiritually healthy to know our complete dependence on God who has called us. Those who are power hungry and arrogant show how spiritually bankrupt they are by trusting in their own estimate of their ability, and turning to questionable practices and gimmicks. Acknowledging your inability must not stop there, you need to be open to receive the gifts of God the Holy Spirit.
Surrender your weakness to the Holy Spirit and give Him the opportunity to make you strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
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You can be "mighty in God" so that you demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). |
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You can speak and preach in demonstration of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). |
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You can experience the Lord working with you verifying the message with His indisputable signs (Mark 16:20). |
As you yield in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit He will show Himself in your service in a variety of His many expressions of power. You are never bankrupt having the love of the Holy Spirit.
By warring according to the prophecies, Timothy would fulfill his obligation with a word from God. The Lord will arm those whom He gives difficult tasks, with a word for the situation, or a word that resolves the problem. An outstanding example of this is Elijah's remarkable experiences:
1 Kings 17:2 " Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,"
This was an ongoing happening in his mighty ministry (Cf 1 Kings 17:2,5,8,16,24; 1 Kings 18:1,31,36; 1 Kings 19:9). Learn from Elijah:-
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You can confront the highest in the land with the consequences of their sin, armed with a word from God. |
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You can be sent to strange places armed with a word from God and find God has commanded for miraculous supply of your needs. |
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You can accept the selfless generosity of another when you're armed with a word of continued supply for the giver. |
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Your life and miracle prayer will convince those who put you under pressure in the home that your mouth is armed with a word from God. |
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You can confound and overcome false prophets, when you are armed with a word from God. |
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You will know supernatural sustainment when exhausted and discouraged, and restored and re-armed by a word from the Lord. |
Timothy had prophecies that armed him with a word from God that he was anointed and appointed. He could expect the necessary gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate in his ministry. So can you in your service.
- you can wage a good warfare (1 Corinthians 12:8). Like David, you can receive strategy from God (2 Samuel 5:19). You can be given a word of wisdom to answer those in authority in the moment you need it (Matthew 10:18-19). It is the powerful word of God the Father.
- covetousness and deceit can be exposed, as in the early Church (1 Corinthians 12:8; Acts 5:1-5). The "word of knowledge reveals what is displeasing or pleasing to the Lord in a local Church (Revelation 2:1-7), enabling the leadership to speak with relevance into the state of the Church.
- that is impressed on your spirit by the Holy Spirit, confirming a course of action, or devastating the attacking enemy with it.
The Lord is our example in confronting Satan with the Word (Matthew 4:1-11). The word from God spoken with "faith by the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:9) is the word energised by a God-given surge of faith that commands impossibilities to turn into possibilities (Mark 11:22-23). With the gift of faith, granted by the Holy Spirit in the moment of need, you can use the word God has armed you with, in unshakeable confidence and sure protection.