Are You In A Battle? (part 2)
We are constantly in a spiritual battle. Whether we realize it or not, all our battles are spiritual, one way or the other, depending on where your allegiance lies.
If you are not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are automatically on the side of the opposing army. There is no middle ground or additional choices. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against me, and whoever does not gather with Me, scatters.” (Matt.12:30).
Don’t be anxious or afraid as we approach this topic of spiritual warfare. It is a necessary subject in which we can learn much about how to successfully navigate our path as we journey through life. When many people hear the words “spiritual warfare”, because they have heard so many incorrect and opposing ideas, it can cause them to steer away from the whole conversation. We have all seen unrealistic and totally false examples that will tend to stick in our minds. We’ve even seen deliverance ministries that bring disillusionment about the “casting out” of demons, etc. However, there is a time and place for “casting out” demons, but it must be done carefully, prayerfully and God’s way.
I have to say here, that demons are real. Many people do not believe that they truly exist. But, in God’s word, we find that Jesus spoke to them and they spoke back! The disciples dealt with demons as well. They are fallen angels that make up the army of Satan. They do his bidding in his diabolical schemes to destroy God’s people. Ignorance of this fact will guarantee failure to respond effectively to his attacks. This isn’t to say that we need to look for demons behind every bush as the only culprit of our battles. We also have to contend with our fleshly desires that can get us into trouble (if not in alignment with God’s word), as well as, all the things of the world. In this case, the world is not the physical planet Earth, but an organized system that opposes God. We must remember that some of our battles may come from a blending or combination of both physical and spiritual. We see it every day. It can become a stumbling block to us if we are not careful and aware of the dangers and temptations. We need to stay “plugged in” to Jesus and diligently study God’s word to avoid being defeated.
We need to keep in mind that if God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us! (Romans 8:31) “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Also, Romans 8: 37a, says, “But in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
As followers of Jesus, we must learn the tactics of spiritual warfare. We must not see ourselves as helpless victims of an unseen foe, but rather victors in the battle! We must learn, along with weapons we use to defend ourselves, the ways we allow the enemy to subtlely invade our lives through our own actions, attitudes and thoughts. We must study God’s word for strategic plans that He reveals and explains to us and not depend on our own feelings, emotions or finite understanding. Our emotions, feelings and thoughts are fickle, making it difficult for us to distinguish our own thoughts and plans from those that our enemy whispers to us. It’s all about understanding, confidently affirming and diligently remembering the work Jesus accomplished on our behalf when He defeated our enemy on the cross.
“Our victory and delegated authority over demonic spirits are like our salvation. Although Christ’s sin payment and victory over death is sufficient to save everyone, it is only efficient for those who obey His commands to believe and receive the free gift He purchased for them. In the same way, although Christ has delegated authority to every Christian over all the powers of the enemy, only those Christians who exercise this authority will realize the awesome victory. Gifts received with joy but left unopened are of very little value.” (Dr Karl Payne; Spiritual Warfare, Christians, Demonization and Deliverance.)
Luke 10: 18-20, And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and over all the powers of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.”
More to come on this subject…………………………..