The Travail's Weapon

Silencing the enemy is a very fitting title for this book. It is fitting because the author, Robert Gay, explains how God suppresses the devices of the adversary through the praise and worship of His people. Although the term “spiritual warfare” is not found in scripture, Paul expounds on the concept throughout the New Testament. He encourages the saints to “Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. This scripture informs us that we are in a battle, a battle that has been raging since the beginning of time. It is not a battle that one can see with the naked eye. Nor is it a battle that is fought with natural weapons. It is a battle that is fought in the spirit world. Our methods of

“oftentimes to win us to our harm the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.”

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words” (Till we Have Faces; book 2, chapter 4).

‘…the necessity of the Devil may become evident as a weapon, a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men to surrender to a particular church or church-state’

gospel who are carrying on such a courageous fight against this foe. Certainly this not too

Hardships will be coming upon the earth with increased force, these trials will ultimately serve to unite his people with cause and purpose. As God's Word is lifted high in all its weight and authority, answers to these ensuing issues will be revealed.

War is a mandatory action crucial to obtain peace in dire circumstances. Civilizations falter and crumble due to disagreements inside the system. In order for peace to prevail, war becomes a necessity, to avoid the reversion and waning of improvements or else all struggles and achievements will amount to nothing. By giving reason and name to war, it is transformed into a fair, yet morally inaccurate solution to find peace. This indistinct finale to the fiasco reflects how in order to succeed in one situation; one must sacrifice and sin for the better and more desirable outcome. A person fights for reasons concealed to themselves, but are exposed in sacred revelations broadcasted publicly during the dissection of character. Reasons for

This quote could not be truer. The apostles will become targets once Jesus ascends. They will be ridiculed, mocked, and persecuted because of the things they preached and believed. Despite all of this, the apostles persevered and spread the Good News until the very end. When I saw the quote, one thing came to my mind the most. All of the apostles except one died violent deaths because the apostles they would not stop preaching. That made me realize Jesus’ words were so true, and Jesus knew what was going to happen to his

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Pagels describes the development of Satan throughout her book and how Christians used Satan to demonetize others. Pagels begins with the destruction of the Jewish Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. The Jewish war poisoned the relationship between Jews, “as the revolt spread to towns and cities, the Jewish population divided” (3). Those who were not following Jesus were then labeled as being Satanic and evil for having different views. Pagels describes Satan in earlier times when he was not looked at as a monstrous being but was one of God’s angels, the angel that had a job of “blocking or obstructing human activity” (39). In many eyes this angel would have been viewed as the evil

2 Timothy 2:1-4, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. “

If you have not already encountered the enemy in your walk with God, just wait, because he will arrive eventually. It is an encounter that not even Jesus es-caped.

Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. “ (Milton 35). This speech is quite positive and uplifting; Satan's followers are even more encouraged by their leader. Satan is also a great military leader, yet not quite powerful enough to defeat God. Overall, Satan is portrayed in this poem as “a character so real and so human one cant help but be drawn to him” (Wallace). Whether the reader takes the