Understanding warfare.
Ephesians 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The art of warfare is not just knowing the scripture; it is understanding it so we can apply it effectively. Paul gives us instructions on engaging in spiritual warfare, yet many sermons and practices uphold a different doctrine. Knowing our jurisdiction is also essential for effective warfare. To fight correctly, we must understand who our enemy is, what his weapons are, and when to engage. Whether we pay attention to it or not, we are on active duty in spiritual warfare every day. What is warfare? Warfare, in simple terms, is two kingdoms contending for power.
The Bible tells us who the opposition is: it is our Adversary. We must identify his schemes and stand against them. Many of us engage in warfare in the wrong way, and therefore, we do not see the results. We pray against people when Paul made it clear that it is not people we are fighting against. Without the complete armor of God, we are not fully prepared for battle. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our weapons. Warfare is always light against darkness and timidity against boldness.
The enemy only looks big when we do not understand our position in warfare. Thousands of years ago, Jesus defeated the enemy. We already have the victory. The works of the flesh are the enemy’s playground. He wants us to see the circumstances as a giant. What we learned from the David and Goliath showdown was that the giant had the upper hand only over those who did not know their God. They did not understand their covenantal rights. The stone did not win the battle; the covenant did. David started to decree and brag about his God. He knew his rights and stood on them.
Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Fear comes from ignorance. The enemy uses a lack of knowledge to his advantage. Fear causes faith to be ineffective. The adversary knows that if we focus on the problems, we will fall. Hopelessness is a product of oppression. The word of God is our offensive and defensive weapon. Why spend hours rebuking demons when you can use the word, and the enemy bows. Paul gave us the antidote against the enemy. Wearing the armor of God is our defense. We don’t want to throw arrows at anyone, not even the devil. He knows when we are no longer ignorant.
Those who know their God will do great exploits. Why do we not wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places? It is because we are not of the kingdom of the world. Could it be that we're not getting results because we are fighting the wrong enemy? Many drink concoctions and engage in practices, yet still live a life of defeat. Our ammunition is not from the world. We must understand these principles to pray effectively. In the kingdom of God, we speak a decree, and it shall be. The enemy will form weapons, but they will not harm you. The word of God must complete its mission.
We win wars with singing and dancing. We shout praises, worship, and declare the word of our God. Fascinating right? To the world, it doesn't like much. Yet they are more potent than fighting with physical weapons. Fighting with knives, guns, and curse words is of the kingdom of darkness. They may cause damage to the soul and the
body, but not to the spirit man. We are children of the light. I am writing this and smiling because even our weapons of warfare reveal the love of God. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were the biggest war. He did not have to use a single knife, swear word, or cut people off. He loved people. Man could not conceive it because it was a spiritual warfare. Jesus’s offensive and defensive responses seemed strange to those who walked with him. Jesus' compassion healed terminal illness, and he restored lives by casting out demons. His methods of warfare strategy gave life to those who believed in him. Jesus taught us how to fight right. Jesus was not one for doing good either. We will too.
Ephesians 4:26 “In “our anger do not sin”[a]" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
The reason for warfare is to prevent the enemy from establishing its kingdom in our lives. We were never instructed to cast satan to hell. It is not in our power to do so. Michael the archangel did not. He said the Lord rebukes you. Satan has not yet come. He is still in access to the earth and the heavens, accusing the saints. Although that is the case, he has no victory. We have the victory. Jesus exposed spiritual wickedness at work and brought awareness of the operation of the kingdom of God. Jesus taught on the kingdom of God pre- and post-resurrection. There must be great significance in this teaching that warrants close attention. It was the primary focus of His public ministry. Jesus spent the last few days on earth with His disciples, teaching exclusively on the kingdom of God.
Our fleshly nature, Jesus restored our authority to have dominion. We only need to understand the systems that are in place that make everything work in our favor. Erase this statement from your vocabulary: “God helps those who help themselves.” It is a lie. We could not help ourselves from the beginning. God sent Jesus to help us when we were deep in sin. We could not help ourselves. Jesus zeroed in on the protocols of God's kingdom. Embedded in Matthew 23:23 is the answer to my question. Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are the three pillars of the kingdom of God.
For this reason, the Kingdom of God was made manifest. The kingdom of God is within you. Are significant statements in scripture. The kingdom of God is not a distant concept. John the Baptist's message was to change the way we live. Jesus said, “I have given you the keys of the kingdom.” The Bible is clear that the kingdom of God is not hidden; it is a reality. The apostle Paul gave extensive teaching on the conduct of citizens of God’s kingdom. What qualifies an individual to function as an ambassador of God is simple. Accept the finished work of Christ Jesus and adapt His character.
Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Satan aims to keep the body of Christ ignorant of the truth. He does not care if you believe in God; he only needs you to remain in pity party mode. All the torment, opposition, and challenges do two things: draw you closer to God or keep you lukewarm. If there is any confusion in attitude, understanding, and behavior, it is because we have not yet received the fullness of the kingdom of God. When trouble comes our way, we have a choice: either we give in to the oppression or submit to the word of God. God’s may seem unorthodox, but they yield great results. The kingdom of God is not in word but in power. All power belongs to God. Submission overthrows the kingdom of darkness. Where the Spirit of God is, there is victory.
We have the authority to destroy the works of darkness. When we know which kingdom we are from and know the privileges that come with it, we relate to the problems differently. I hope this revelation gets you excited like it did for me. May we not lack knowledge of what causes the kingdom of God to manifest in our lives? The enemy is the prince of the air. He set up systems to oppose God's will. Satan’s power is in his mouth; he twists the truth. This is why knowing the truth is essential to winning every battle. Deception allows us to apply the word to cut the giants off and cast mountains into the sea. Rejoice when the enemy dares to cross his boundaries. Until you are troubled by the enemy, you won’t exercise your authority. With that knowledge, you can take what belongs to you.
So how do we achieve success in a war we can't? The enemy's plans come in many forms. Slander, oppositions in our marriages, finances, and relationships are agents the enemy uses. He manipulates systems and turns people's hearts against you. The airwaves, music, entertain, and also access points to the will of the enemy. It is wise to guard our eyes, ears, and mouth gates. What we choose to align with determines whether we succeed or fail. The Bible warns with a story that all the stories we read of victory through obedience or falling prey to the schemes of the enemy. Grace does not give us reason to remain in sin. Grace leads us back to the Lord.
Mark 11:23 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Not every challenge we face is orchestrated by the enemy. There are many examples of great men and women who questioned God’s word for their victory, only to walk in obedience and get it right, so I will not labor the point here. Warfare is part of every believer's life. Obedience and application of scripture are keys to having dominion. Child of God, knowledge is power. There are two reasons for warfare: either the enemy has legal rights to steal, kill, and destroy, or God is positioning us for a greater portfolio.
To the natural eye, you must have done something wrong for the powers of darkness to come against you. Although that may be one reason, the second reason is most likely that if you are walking upright before God, the Lord allows it to elevate you. Earlier, I said the enemy creates circumstances to cause us to fail. God also arranges circumstances to train, equip, and lead us to all truth. Like Job, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Sarah, we can see troubles as an opportunity to experience the glory of God. Instead of beating ourselves up over the problems we face, surrender and let God manifest in our circumstances.
Looking at the story of David and Goliath, troubles may look like giants. That is the work of the enemy. He is the God of this world, and he specializes in exaggerating circumstances. But you are not of this world. You are a giant in the realm of the Spirit. We are not moved by what you can see with your natural eyes. The weapons will form, they will come, but they will fail at their attempts. You and I are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Far above principalities and power, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. The kingdom of the devil must bow to that authority.
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the Spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Beloved, it may seem like your prayers are not effective, but God says otherwise. Be patient. The enemy believed that when he engineered the crucifixion of Jesus, he had won the war. Silly princes. God never fails. It was a plot twist. God, in his infinite wisdom, always causes us to triumph. The Holy Spirit is our helper. His duty here on earth is to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit within us. God’s way is not like mere mortals’. His thoughts see the end of a matter before it begins. That is the mindset we need. When trials come, see the victory and walk the journey towards it.
People controlled by the world's systems use their emotions to manipulate others. Use your feelings to tap into the realm of endless possibilities. Humility, love, joy, and peace are bricks. How you treat people and respond to the trials we face are building materials for a stronghold of victory in Christ Jesus. Jesus said If someone smites you, turn the other cheek. Guys, that is the kingdom we are in. Where love, forgiveness, and contentment are the cement that holds the structure of our lives firmly in place.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. We will surely fail if we resort to using the weapons of this world to combat the pressures we face. Our words are powerful. Word changes opposition to hired help. What we declare gives legal rights to supernatural reinforcement or demonic infiltration. The enemy may magnify situations. God gives us strategies to overcome them. It is beneficial to focus on what God desires of us. Our weapons are mighty. What we feed grows. Child of God, please don’t give demons an audience. We have the authority to rebuke the Spirit in operation. Paul was about his Father's business when this damsel came along. Let’s learn from the greats. Forces of this world did not move them. They submitted to a higher power. They rebuked the spirits operating and kept on doing the will of God.
Ephesians 6:2 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Demons know their place. They are on their assignment. We must know our place. We have more angelic assistance than the fallen angels. Employ the angels of the Lord by declaring the decree of God. His spoken and written word is the authority Helel, and his demons respond to. Both the angels of the kingdom of darkness and those of the kingdom of light await instructions from us. We see that with Daniel when he prayed. Understand that the enemy has record and tactical methods to use against us. He is well-studied in our behaviors and patterns, which gives him intel on us. Let us fortify ourselves in the word. We can’t negotiate with devils; we cast out the devils.
The two kingdoms are at war on your behalf daily. When it comes to principalities, they are princes assigned by God over regions and territories. Prayers of the righteous avail much. Princes must fall. We partner with God to demonstrate His power in the earth. The fight is settled in heaven. We only need to take a walk in the promises. The angels will fight in the Spirit. We fight with the fruits of the Spirit.
We are not defenseless. The Bible, aka the manual, gives us instructions for survival and success. May speak words that cause life to spring forth. May we never walk in fear ever again. May our words be seasoned with salt. May the fragrance lead our actions. May we never leave homes without a priestly robe. We are building on the blueprint of the Lord Jesus. The fruit we produce, we leave behind for others to continue the work.
I will talk to you soon.
