Happy Monday!
I was reminded recently of just how much, as the body of Christ, we need to stay connected. Some of the strongest people I know are fighting battles, both seen and unseen. We are all familiar with the battles with illness, heartbreak, and finances but there is another battle waging that is more threatening than all the others. This battle will determine, not only our earthy lives but also our eternal lives.
We have talked about spiritual warfare before but, in my humble opinion, Satan is getting desperate. He knows the time is short. He doesn’t have to worry about those who are of the world, they are already his but that’s not enough. He wants the believers, you and me, as part of his army. We are the ones that he is prowling around for, waiting to find us vulnerable so he can insert fear and doubt into our hearts and mind. As believers, we won’t go long without encountering spiritual warfare. It’s a battle between darkness and light and we are the prize.
If we look around, we see lies and deception everywhere. There is anger and frustration with politics and politicians, no matter which side you may be on. If you stop and think about it though, what better way is there for the enemy to tear us apart than by dividing us. Dividing our country, our families and our churches. Will we let him? We know how the story ends. We need to stand up for real truth and that comes from only one source, the Word of God.
Satan is the master of lies and deception. Deception begins with questioning. Instead of going back to the source, God’s Word, we are carried away by doubt. Paul warns us in 1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
If we “take heed,” we are aware. We can prepare by studying God’s Word so we are able to discern those things that present themselves as truth. God reminds us in His word to stay aware of Satan’s schemes, to live alert in this world, and to stay close to Him. We need to spend time in prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers to stand strong.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 discusses the warfare of spirit, saying “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Thankfully we can look to the wisdom of scripture and the Armor of God to encourage us in this spiritual war.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV
The Armor of God
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.
Joshua 1:9
9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
A Spiritual Warfare Prayer – The BibleStudyTools Staff
Strengthen my faith, Lord. Forgive my sins, so that I may be clean in your righteousness. Make me brave, so I can stand and fight the spiritual battles in my life and in our world. Give me your wisdom and discernment so I won’t be caught off guard. Together, Lord, we’ll win, because in truth, you already have. While evil still roams, the power of Your name and Your blood rises up to defeat and bring us victory against every evil planned against us. While malicious actions may disturb us, we use the armor of God You have given us to stand firm. You will bring justice in due time for all the harm and needless violence aimed at Your children. Until then, we remain in Your presence, aligned with Your purposes, and we look to You as our Supreme Commander and Protector. Help us to avoid temptation, and deliver us from evil, Lord. You are the Mighty One, the One Who will ultimately bring all evil to light. With You, Jesus, we are safe. Amen.
Pray Unceasingly!!
Lois