Part 3 of 3
Psalm 24:8 King James Version
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
The spiritual battlefield is continually in need of new warriors. However, warfare is not recommended for spiritual babes.
True: Everybody is in a spiritual battle, whether they recognize it or not. The devil really does prowl around seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 New American Standard Bible says, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
True: From the time a person is born into CHRIST’s kingdom, they have angels intervening on their behalf. Hebrews 1:14 New Living Translation says, “ Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”
However, confronting demon forces can be a treacherous venture. We absolutely are the winners, but a person must be prepared for the territory and proceed with skill. Psalm 144:1 New International Version says, “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Even though King David was referring to an earthly battle in this passage, these scriptures are a picture, a type, a shadow of spiritual things. There is little room for doubt or fear when exercising spiritual warfare. JESUS said to His disciples in Matthew 10:16 New International Version “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves…”
Our adversary, the devil is a ravenous entity that will not willingly depart from a situation.
JESUS explained in Matthew 11:12 New King James Version “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Your relationship with GOD outstrips the enemy’s devices. GOD overrules, vetos, and nullifies the enemy’s schemes and tactics. Psalm 50:15 New King James Version says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Know this: JESUS will not ever leave you or forsake you. He will not put on you more than you can bear. However, it is possible for us, on our own initiative, to seek out more than we can bear. For example, see this excerpt about the sons of Sceva:
Acts 19:13-17 New King James Version says, “ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”
The cautions above are not meant to discourage Christians from spiritual warfare. It is an admonition to first prepare and to know your authority. Be confident, be full of sound doctrine, know the Word, be full of faith, and be free from habitual sin. Before undertaking warfare make sure you are not walking in fear, doubt, unforgiveness, or sin.
How To Prepare
Know the scriptures you are standing on. Speak them out loud. Don’t back down from what you know to be true. Major keys: Time in GOD’s Word and time in GOD’s presence. There is no substitute for time with GOD and in His Word. This is how you sharpen and develop your weapons.
Two Are Better Than One
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 New King James Version says, ” Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.”
Good soldiers don’t leave a wounded soldier on the battlefield. Allow someone to cover you. Get a back up the same way a smart police officer gets a back-up before going into a precarious situation. JESUS sent His disciples out 2 by 2, in pairs. He did that so they could undergird each other.
The power of agreement is powerful. If you know a wise and seasoned warrior, ask him or her to stand with you. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19 New King James Version “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
No wonder we are instructed in Hebrews 10:25 Easy-to-Read Version, ” We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.” Being in fellowship with other believers is a lifeline we cannot sidetrack. GOD designed a special process for receiving exhortation and spiritual covering in the church. Being part of a congregation allows you to receive love, direction, and support. This also allows you to develop and use your own spiritual gifts. It is vital to let GOD lead you to a body of believers where you fit in.
Nevertheless, sometimes there will not be time to buddy up with other believers. Sometimes, in an emergency, you will need to stand on GOD’s Word without advance notice. Be instant in season and out of season by continually staying in the Word of GOD and in daily fellowship with Him.
Your Weapons Are Rooted in the Actual Word of GOD
If you look closely at the pieces of armor available to you, you will see that they are all developed from the true, unwavering Word of GOD.
Ephesians 6:10-17: 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. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist , with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
When you meditate on the Word of GOD, it becomes part of your being. You begin to know on a deeper level that the promises are real. You also begin to realize your authority in CHRIST. JESUS said in Luke 10:19 New King James Version, “ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Isaiah 54:17 Amplified Bible says, “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.”
How To Conduct Warfare
Speak what GOD says. Declare what GOD declares. Stand on what GOD has established.
Speak GOD’s word to a situation. Command a demonic force to fall into place with what GOD has decreed. Declare GOD’s word as indisputable fact. This is spoken out loud.
Your session of warfare may take 20 minutes, 3 hours, 15 minutes, or just 10 words. Be led by GOD’s Holy Spirit. He never comes up short. He never wastes time or words. JESUS taught us in Matthew 6:7-8 Easy-to-Read Version: “And when you pray, don’t be like the people who don’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Obstacles to Warfare
Sometimes the person doing warfare is not praying according to scripture or GOD’s will. This is another reason to make sure you know the Word and pray the Word. GOD will not perform something that is the opposite of what He has outlined as being correct, righteous, expedient, fruitful, etc.
Example: He does not endorse prayers that are requests for revenge on a person. He does not give out the winning numbers for the next lottery. He does not reveal people’s secret and private thoughts to someone who is curious.
Caution: Sometimes the expected result does not come quickly. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the works of the Lord.
Assaults? What assaults?
Sometimes the enemy will hurl counterattacks at you to distract you from the battle or to test your resolve. But GOD has an answer for every flurry of attacks. Isaiah 59:19 21st Century King James Version says, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. “ In other words, sometimes your fight will spur other battles and skirmishes on the side. You may have to fight several assaults at the same time. GOD will step in and wave His banner over you. “Saved, Healed, Delivered, Righteous.” You represent Him and He will show up.
We are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices. In warfare, the enemy often attacks the mind. He may stir confusion, deception, jealousy, suspicions, anger that wasn’t there before, fear, misunderstandings between you and people you love, etc. He may also try to stir financial setbacks, physical and mental distress.
This is another reason it is crucial to have a whole arsenal of scriptures at your disposal. They are your shield. They quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16 Amplified Bible says it this way: “Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” As fast as the enemy tosses a dart, you will have the exact scripture to extinguish the attack Eventually the enemy will run out of tactics and retreat until another time. Staying in the Word, and staying in GOD’s presence assures you will be ready again, when the enemy tries to return. He tried the same tactic against JESUS. JESUS won, of course. Luke 4:12-14 New Revised Standard Version: Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Infallible Weapons
1.) The name of JESUS. (The name above every name that is named.) Paul described the unspeakable amazement of that name as he discussed how he prayed for the Christians in Ephesians 1:18-22 New King James Version. Paul prayed “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.”
2.) The blood of JESUS. We apply it by decreeing it’s power, speaking this out loud. Revelation 12:11 New International Version declares, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
3.) The Word of GOD. Psalm 119:89 New King James Version: Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
4.) Warrior angels. They excel in strength and are sent to assist us. Psalm 103:19-21 New King James Version describes their activities: The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
5.) Praise. Psalm 8:2 New International Version says, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
2 Chronicles 20:22 New International Version says, “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”
Acts 16:25-26 New International Version says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
Hindrances That Block Our Authority (also reviewed in Part 2 of this Series)
Haughtiness, unbelief, doubt, unforgiveness, unrepented habitual sin. Ask GOD to search your heart and help you to confess any sin that may be lingering in your life. Many times, we are blind to things in our heart that are blaringly obvious to others.
Proverbs 21:2 Easy-to-Read Version explains, ” People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges the reasons for everything they do.” That is why David begged GOD in Psalm 139:23-24 Easy-to-Read Version, “God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.”
What To Do If It Looks Like You Are Losing The Fight
If you are in a battle and it looks like you just won’t win, press in anyway. Ephesians 6:13-14 New International Version emphasizes, ” 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…”
Galatians 6:9 Amplified Bible further says, ” Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.”
Proverbs 21:31 Good News Translation encourages, ” You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives victory.”
Isaiah 49:24-25 Easy-to-Read Version states, “If a strong soldier takes a prisoner, can you set him free? If a powerful soldier guards someone, can the prisoner escape? Here is the Lord’s answer: “The prisoners will escape. Those captured by the strong soldier will be set free. That’s because I will fight your battles, and I will save your children.”
Isaiah 50:7-9 New International Version declares, ” Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.”
Conclusion
If you believe you are ready for spiritual warfare, let GOD clothe you with His anointed Word and power. Let GOD hold you by the hand and teach you to war and to win, in JESUS’ mighty, invincible name! 2 Corinthians 2:14 New American Standard Bible says, “ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
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