Posted by For the past six months, I have been encouraging our congregation to pray and combat the spiritual warfare that we are part of. I wanted to take some time and go over what spiritual warfare is and how as believers–those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ–can combat it. I will encourage you to examine your lives and see where you are in faith, if Christ is part of your faith, you have passed the test and you can apply the following assurances listed below to your walk and encourage others to do the same. If you have not accepted Christ as your personal savior, it will impossible for you to combat such battle in your own strength.
I pray, that as you are reading this article and meditating on the Word of God, the Spirit of God will reveal the plan and the purpose of God for your life and you will in return glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you know, I find it very important for myself to spend time in the word of God and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all areas of my life; I also have several godly men to whom I have given permission to speak freely in my life as I strive to grow in my walk with Christ and the ministry He has called us to. Below are some of the points I was encouraged with during my conversation with my mentor.
Recognize it for what it is.
The theme in Paul’s letter teaches us that we live among spiritual warfare. We as the follower of Jesus Christ need to recognize that this world, its culture, social and political powers, and the arising opposition against the work of God are not neutral. Satan is at work through the forces of this world and through the sinful nature. We have been warned through the scriptures to be watchful and not be led astray according to the desires of hearts which may not be godly.
By the way, these forces are present within and outside of the church. There are views that the spiritual warfare was only limited to the first century church and today the church at large do not have anything to do with spiritual warfare. On the contrary, Satan is at work to deceive the children of God in the similar way he has blinded those who reject the word and the purpose of God. I will encourage you to remain strong in the Lord, rely on Him, study the Word, and ask the Spirit to lead you in the way of the Lord.
Confront it at the source through prayer.Â
We cannot overcome the enemy without God being on our side. We must fall on our knees and ask the Lord to give us the eyes to see what He wants us to see in the midst this warfare, to give us the ears to hear what He wants us to hear, and to give us the heart to have a desire to serve Him alone. We need to ask the Lord to help us recall His promises and the scriptures that not only strengthen us as believers but help us preserve our testimony in the time of need.
It is only then we will be able to face the enemy head on and not retreat. The apostle Paul reminds us that we need to suit up for this battle and only then can we stand our ground.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:10-18 — NIV
Walk in faith believing that no weapon formed against you shall prosper and that you are a fortified wall.
We are children of God. We are children of God, not by physical birth but through the birth which the Spirit brings about when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. God’s Spirit resides within us and is now leading our lives in accordance with His will. We know that we are not alone in this spiritual endeavor and our enemy will succeed for God is with us and He protects us in all circumstances.
Resist the temptation to yield to fleshy weakness.
We are not exempt from the spiritual warfare. Satan is laying the traps for those who are desiring to fulfill the purpose of God in their lives.
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