Francisco Franco was the leader of the revolution in Spain. In trying to capture Madrid, Franco had four columns marching on the city, one from the north one from the south, one from the east and one from the west. According to Franco’s strategy, the most important force of all was what he called a “fifth column” – forces that operated from within the city itself…

We are in a life and death war. More deadly than terrorism is the threat of Spiritual death. The most deadly force of all is a “fifth column” waging war within – a force led by the Devil and the unholy alliance of our sinful flesh.

But there’s a way to victory. Paul tells us in Romans 8 that there are three things we must do to have victory in this war:

1. We must stay loyal to our Commander and His cause. War strategists will tell you that winning requires an army that is patriotic, convinced of the rightness of the cause and loyal to the Chief of Staff. Paul says in Romans 8:9, if you truly belong to the Messiah, then you will be “controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit.” To win the battle for our minds we’ve got to be sold out completely to the Messiah and His mission.
2. We must slay the sinful deeds of the flesh. The battle of the mind is a matter of life and death. In Romans 8:13 Paul says, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Don’t compromise with your sinful nature.
3. We must utilize Spiritual weaponry. Paul says in Romans 8:7, “...the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Self-discipline is not enough. Consider that ‘superman,’ Samson. He vowed to maintain three disciplines: He watched his diet. He didn’t drink alcoholic beverages. He never went near the dead. But deep within he had a deadly deficiency: He was unable to restrain his lust.

We might be able to control our external environment, but if our weapons are carnal, we will be defeated within. So Paul says in verse 13, “...but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” To win this battle for the spirit-man demands no less than the power of the Holy Spirit.

How much power is at our disposal? In verse 11 Paul says, “...he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” The Spiritual weapons that God provides have the same power that raised Yeshua from the dead. In our battle for the mind, we have the necessary power to defeat the “fifth column” and win the war.

Pastor Wayne Hilsden