“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:10, 11) NKJV “For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal (of the flesh) but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5)
As those scriptures indicate we’re in a battle. God’s
people have been taking some heavy blows from Satan’s attacks as he continues
to assault the church by putting pressure on one believer at a time. None of us
are immune from his attempts to discourage, weaken, or defeat us, or put us on
the sidelines for awhile.
That’s why God has given us weapons in the Spirit with
which to arm ourselves and ward off enemy attacks. Some people will excuse the
hard things that happen to us as just being part of what life itself brings
upon us. That may be partly true, but we do have an enemy to whom we need to
stay alert, be watchful, and arm ourselves by putting on the whole armor of
God. Nothing gives the enemy more ground for attack than to passively resist
his advances. Let’s be front-line warriors who confront the enemy’s attacks by
using our God-given weapons to ward him off!
WINNING SPIRITUAL
BATTLES
*Take the offensive in prayer! Ask God to light a holy fire in your soul by the power of
the Holy Spirit, to transform your praying from weakness to prevailing power in
the heavenlies - the realm where Satan’s forces gather.
*Do everything in the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit has come to drive out Satan before you. “When
the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard
against him.” (Isaiah 59:19) In this warfare you do not fight alone; the
battle belongs to the Lord. “The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will
fight for you.” (Deut. 1:30)
*Saturate your soul with the Word of God! Maintain your spiritual strength at all times. “Take the
sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) Use the
promises that God gives you in the Bible to claim your victory!
*Use praise as a weapon against the enemy! “Let the high praise of God be in their mouth, and a
two-edged sword in their hand...to bind their kings with chains, and their
nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the written judgment—this honor
have all His saints, praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 149:5-6, 8-9)
Most importantly - employ prayer first to enlist
the wisdom and power of God Almighty! Pray reverently, humbly, continually,
expectantly, and gratefully. When we pray that way, the Lord will be pleased to
hear and to answer. We will be blessed abundantly and He will be glorified!
