Spiritual Warfare Basics

Spiritual Warfare Basics

The Battle is Real
We have forgotten how vital the concept of spiritual warfare is to the body of Christ. We ARE at war. Not at war with people. People are not our enemy.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NASB

The Enemy is the Enemy
The ENEMY is the enemy. The enemy of God - Satan, the Liar - is who we are at war with. And do not think our battle is not real for one second.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NASB

Where is the Battleground?
And do not confuse the battleground. The battleground is our mind. We are at war for the Truth.

For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
Proverbs 23:7a NASB

We Have Been Given Authority
Jesus, Himself, told us we have authority over the enemy. It is up to us to take up that authority and to walk in that authority.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
Luke 10:19 NASB

How Do We Prepare
We must recognize the particular schemes of the enemy in our own lives; in our own families; in our own cities; states; nations…and come against them with specificity, calling them out by name. For example, in my own life, one of the schemes of the enemy is to play thoughts of irrelevance in my mind. I recognize this lie and denounce it by name, commanding it to leave my mind. Next, I replace that thought with the Truth of God’s Word and claim the victory…as often as necessary!

In my city/region, I have determined there are three main spiritual forces of darkness wielding lies over the populace: 1) Spirit of Religion rather than Relationship with Christ 2) Spirit of Poverty 3) Spirit of Division Among the Races. I attack each with specificity, speaking blessings of Truth over each area of concern, trusting God for the victory.

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’
Jeremiah 29:11 NASB

Put On The Armor
We take this preparation - putting on the armor of God - for granted. Most of the weaponry is meant for battle in our personal walks with Christ and help us guard over our thoughts. Mainly, they remind us of who and of Whose we are. I urge you to mentally put them on each day because the onslaught - the battle - is as close as your next thought. This battle is real. Read the following passage and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you to use the arsenal at our disposal as believers.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:11-16 NASB

Run TO the Battle
David did not wait for Goliath to come to him. He ran toward the enemy. Jesus did not wait for the cross to come to Him. He went TO the cross. We are meant to do battle. Use the armor. Use the weaponry. Use worship and prayer as weapons of warfare against the lies of darkness. Do not be angry with people. Be angry at the Liar who deceives people!

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 NASB

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper…
Isaiah 54:17a NASB

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NASB

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishment on the peoples,
8 To bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 To execute on them the judgment written;
This is an honor for all His godly ones.Praise the LORD!
Psalm 149:6-9 NASB