Recruited
Photo image courtesy Andrej Lisakov for Unsplash
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power...and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:10,18b
I sat in my car in the retirement home parking lot. I cried out to God at my failure to reach someone with His truth. “I don’t know how to fight him (Satan). Please teach me how.” It wasn’t a story of epic spiritual battle, but rather a quiet, clear realization that there was something more than human power or weakness at play. I was a young Christian hitting a wall that my efforts and prayers could not breach. I was a raw recruit.
When you’re in God’s family, you’re in His army. I am not a natural fighter, which is fine, because it’s the supernatural I need. How to grasp and wield His power requires a lifetime of training and the protection of His armor.
How can Christians recognize times of spiritual warfare? I believe they involve an intensity beyond the everyday skirmishes of our old willful nature. They may feel eerily evil and personal. Such attacks are more likely as we become a threat to Satan’s hold on people and territory he claims as his own.
Train beforehand with studies on the temptation of Jesus, Jericho, and the supernatural armor of God. Gather an arsenal of praise music emphasizing God’s dominion and holiness. When the battle is upon you, immediately call out to Jesus for help and protection. Claim the covering of the blood of the Lamb. Speak aloud that Jesus is Lord. While you stand and resist with Biblical truths, Satan and his minions will flee.
Strongholds in our lives, fortresses that have defeated our efforts for years, require serious, sustained spiritual warfare. These unyielding bastions can involve sins passed down through generations or some evil we alone have accepted into our lives. Strongholds might evolve from our responses to deep trauma inflicted upon us. Whether their origins are one of these or any other, they are so deeply entrenched that we still experience captivity though we have repented and are spiritually free in Christ.
This kind of spiritual warfare may demand more of a one-on-one confrontation between God Himself and the powers of darkness. For these situations, sharing your story with trusted Christian prayer warriors can release heaven’s might on your behalf. Let go of pride and fear, remembering that you are in the army of God. Don’t attempt to fight it alone.
Jesus prevailed against Satan in hand-to-hand combat during his temptation in the wilderness. Even sinless, Jesus fasted and prayed before the battle. Consider some manner of fasting to help you clarify and surrender to truth as well as form a battle plan. Finally, for all battles, including everyday clashes, seek forgiveness for sins, dress yourself in the supernatural armor of God, and go often to the throne of grace for courage, discernment, or whatever you require for victory. You will not be turned away.
Questions for Reflection:
1. How has God been training you for spiritual battle?
2. What is in your arsenal for when the enemy attacks?
3. How have defeats changed you?
