Spiritual Warfare

9/7/2022

Written By: Frieda Dowler

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Trust, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Eph. 6:12–18 MSG.

We are living in unprecedented times. Warfare in our country is at an all-time high and the battles are over Christian values and morality. But the warfare has changed from weapons of attack to spiritual assault. And the stakes are higher than ever before.

Souls are at risk because the mind is the battlefield. And looming large are the laws changing our country, our world, and the spiritual principles that hold us together.

But when we read the Bible, we find the overarching themes are redemption, restoration, and rebuilding. This is why we have continuing hope and faith in God. When we read the Bible, we know God wins and prayer changes things. So what should we do in the meantime?

#1. Never forget whose side you’re on.

When you became a Christian, you decided to go God’s way rather than go your own way. In order to know his ways, you engaged in Bible Study and regular fellowship with those who are also going God’s way. So hold on to your commitment to faith in God and keep on doing those things.

#2. Realize you are a soldier in God’s army.

Whether you know it or not, there is a battle that stretches over all the ages. God on one side, Satan on the other side. And we are in the middle of a tug-of-war. Satan wants to hold on to us, but God wants to redeem us and give us a better life. When you read the Bible, you learn God will establish His kingdom, and He will banish Satan. So always nudge closer to God in order to be a part of his great kingdom in the coming ages.

#3. Fight like a soldier.

Because God is a Spirit, it is a spiritual battle. Our weapons are not the kind that inflict physical damage, but spiritual change. How can we fight the enemy of God and what are our weapons? They are prayer, faith decrees, and worship. So, in every skirmish, invite God in, believe and speak faith, and worship God.

#4. Don’t isolate because you will be easy prey for Satan.

We don’t like conflict and when the battle comes, it’s easy to withdraw, thinking you’ll escape the conflict, or be okay on your own. Instead, it makes you an easy target to be picked off

by the enemy. The saying is true, “there is strength in numbers”. You may not be on the front line of the battle, you may be the water boy, but there is protection in surrounding yourself with God’s army. So, show up on the battlefield and engage in your part.

#5. Learn to fight as a team.

When conflict arises, it’s common to fight among ourselves. Our frustrations, fears, and failures surface under pressure and are often spewed out on those we need to depend on. This weakens our power against the enemy. We need each other in this battle. We will never win as an army of one. So, pray for one another, and resist the temptation to fight within.

It’s good to be in a battle when you are on the winning side. God promised a win, but He didn’t promise there wouldn’t be tough times. Those tough times draw us closer to God and help establish our trust. But we know who wins, and our job is to not give up hope.

“The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way–never have, and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” 2 Cor. 10: 4–5 MSG.