Pastor’s Corner: “Prepare for Battle”
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) – 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
As Christians, we are in a spiritual battle of some sort on a daily basis. In military warfare, battles are fought on different fronts, for different reasons and with varying degrees of intensity. The same is true in spiritual warfare. Our spiritual battles and warfare are real, even though we cannot physically see the attacker. One of the goals of Satan is that we will ignore him or think that he does not exist. The truth is, he does exist. Why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? 1 John 3:8 (NLT) – The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. When you’re being attacked, it’s proof that you’re a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. I do not say this to frighten you, but to encourage you! In my life when the enemy is ramping up attacks against me and my family, it is just a confirmation that we are doing what God wants us to do and we push forward!
Ephesians 6:12 – (NLT) – 2 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Spiritual warfare is a real thing. As Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, he is reminding them that the real battle isn’t what you can see but what is going on in the heavens. Satan doesn’t come at us in the flesh, although he can use people. Even then the battle isn’t with that person but with the spiritual darkness behind them. It is vital for every Christian to be aware of the battlefield.
When you are in a battle, it is important to know your enemy. Satan is the author of lies and a subtle manipulator. He does not convince a person to fall from grace all at once. He cunningly draws a person further and further from God, one step at a time. He tempts us to doubt God’s goodness and providence over our lives, planting seeds of mistrust in our minds and hearts. He also likes to frustrate our plans, especially when we are moving closer in our relationship to God or when we are trying to do something good on his behalf.
How do you know if you are under spiritual attack? There are some common signs: A lack of peace – A cloud of confusion – An onslaught of various troubles – Increased conflict and tension in healthy relationships – Increased temptation and luring towards sin – Feelings of overwhelming despair, darkness, and fear
How can we respond? Accept God-given authority: Most believers are ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples” (NIV). He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he’s given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20). Remember: we have authority in the NAME of Jesus, by the BLOOD of Jesus and through the power of HOLY SPIRIT!
Aim the artillery: The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). The weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments are humility, faith, truth, and praise. Take every thought captive! Worship God with prayers and praise, before the battle is won. 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (NIV) – 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. If we are going to stand firm, we must believe in the Lord’s faithfulness and worship Him, not because of what we want Him to do, but because of what He’s already done.
Remember, the battle is not ours, but God’s: 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV) – He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. If you are like me, you try to carry all of the burdens in your own life and those of the ones you love, around. You pick them up, pile them on, sling some over your shoulder in a backpack, and trudge along until you can’t take one more step. We were never meant to go to battle alone. We are God’s…and the battles are His. Surrender to Him. Trust Him to do what He says He will do. He is faithful.
PRAY! I have learned that satan trembles when he sees the least of God’s children on their knees praying. Praise and worship of God cause the enemy great discomfort and pain; and he flees in response. Whatever the enemy wants to do, it becomes 1000 times harder when God’s people are praying. Pray God’s Word: Isaiah 54:17 (AMP) – 17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton