Tag Archives: Spiritual Warfare

We Are In A Battle

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disappointed boyWe are in a battle.

As the apostle Paul stated in Ephesians 6, we are not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces.

In his book, Peace With God, Billy Graham states Christians have three distinct dangerous, vicious enemies who will use any method to defeat us in our Christian life. Those enemies are Satan, the world, and the flesh.

First off, Satan.

We know Satan was defeated at the cross by Jesus, but he still has power to influence us toward sin.

Just look at the names the Bible gives him. The wicked one. Devil. Murderer. Liar, and the father of lies. Adversary who seeks to devour. Serpent. Accuser of the brethren, along with other none flattering titles.

Satan is not happy when anyone gives their life to Christ. In fact, it makes him really mad.

Billy Graham says we shouldn’t rely on our feelings, because that’s where Satan attacks first. He’ll do whatever he can to tempt us and lead us into sin. To make us doubt. To discourage, and disappoint.

There are a lot of ways the deceiver can tempt us; jealousy, hatred, envy.

Satan might tempt us by making us feel proud and important. To make us confident in our own powers, instead of trusting in God.

The father of all lies would like nothing more than for us to follow his example, and become liars and lead others astray. He is powerful, crafty, and subtle. He is called the god of this world, the prince of this world, and the prince of the power of the air.

In his book, Mr. Graham told a story regarding Satan’s attacks.

Years ago I heard my friend J. Edwin Orr compare the Christian attacked by Satan to a mouse being attacked by a housewife wielding a broom. The mouse does not sit there contemplating the housewife or the broom. It is busy looking for a hole — a way to escape. So we Christians under satanic attack should look for our “way of escape.”

He goes further to say,

The devil will tremble when you pray. He will be defeated when you quote or read a passage of Scripture to him, and will leave you when you resist him.

Next, among our enemies is the world.

Mr. Graham said when anyone asks him how to know what is “okay” to do, and what isn’t, he tells them to:

Earnestly and prayerfully ask, ‘What would Christ have me to do?’

‘Can I ask His blessing upon this particular thing for me?’

‘What would Christ think about my amusements, recreation, books, companions, and television programs?’

‘Could I ask Christ to go along with me to this particular event?’ Being omnipresent, He’ll be there anyway. The point is, should you?

He continues by saying,

This does not mean that in society we are snobs or have a superiority complex, lest we be in danger of spiritual pride — which would be far worse than any worldliness. But today there are so many professing Christians who are walking hand in hand with the world that you cannot tell the difference between the Christian and the unbeliever. This should never be.

Lastly, Mr. Graham addresses the third enemy we face; the lust of the flesh, which he calls that evil tendency of your inward self.

It is the battle of the self-life and the Christ-life. This old nature cannot please God. It cannot be converted, or even patched up. Thank God, when Jesus died He took you with Him, and the old nature can be made inoperative and you can “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (Romans 6:11).

Yes. We are in a battle. A spiritual battle. We do not fight a battle against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces.

Aren’t we glad we don’t have to fight this battle alone?

Jesus won the victory at the cross. Because we belong to him, we too have victory. We stand under Christ’s authority and in his mighty power. The same power that defeated hell, sin, Satan, and death.

Let’s put on our armor and stand our ground, refusing to give one more inch to our enemy. Amen?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. Ephesians 6:12 (GNT)

You can find my October Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Spiritual Warfare

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Photo by Soundtrap on Unsplash

Last month I mentioned an online workshop I attended given by Alli Worthington. Today I would like to share what I gained from LaToya Edwards on Spiritual Warfare from the same online conference.

  • Spiritual warfare is the battle between God’s Kingdom and earth.
  • The way we respond is by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6).
  • During hard times you need to understand how Satan attacks so you know how to pray against his schemes.
  • Fear comes from a lack of knowledge.
  • Fear of Spiritual warfare is a trick of the enemy. If we’re afraid of him, we won’t walk out our calling.
  • The enemy is not to be feared for greater is HE who is in us.

Every child of God is a threat to the enemy. We have a bullseye on our backs. Because of that, Satan goes before God all day long accusing us. But thanks be to God for his immeasurable gift of his Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and King, we are covered under Christ’s blood. Satan is defeated.

I like the way LaToya put it. She said Jesus has disarmed the enemy. Don’t you love that? In my mind I see a ticking bomb or hand grenade whose wires are cut or pin is pulled. Those weapons of destruction are no longer a threat. Neither is Satan when we come under Christ’s saving blood.

LaToya continued

  • Satan is not God.
  • God is Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent. The enemy is none of these things.
  • God put limits on what Satan can do.
  • Satan doesn’t know everything.
  • He is cunning and crafty but not all powerful.
  • God never loses a fight. It’s not possible.

Near the end of her workshop, LaToya said when we arm ourselves with God’s Word of Truth we are dangerous to the enemy. We can counter his lies with what we know to be true. She suggests in addition to studying the Bible and prayer, writing down your “battle notes”, scriptures that speak of God’s power and truth of who he is, and who you are in him. Then on warfare days when we are under attack, pull out our cards and read through them. Put the enemy on notice we know of what he’s doing.

What have you found helpful to stand against the enemy’s attacks?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16 (NLT)

You can find my March Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Sunday Scriptures — Spiritual Warfare

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By Sandy Kirby Quandt

In the book, Peace With God, Billy Graham states Christians have three distinct dangerous, vicious enemies who will use any method to defeat us in our Christian life; Satan, the world, and the flesh. So, we must be prepared to ward them off.

First off, Satan. We know he was defeated at the cross by Jesus, but he still has power to influence us toward sin. Just look at the names the Bible gives him. The wicked one. Devil. Murderer. Liar, and the father of lies. Adversary who seeks to devour. Serpent. Accuser of the brethren, and other none flattering titles.

Satan is not happy when anyone gives their life to Christ. In fact, it makes him really mad. Billy Graham says we shouldn’t rely on our feelings, because that’s where Satan attacks first. He’ll do whatever he can to tempt us and lead us into sin, to make us doubt, to discourage, and disappoint. Satan might tempt us by making us feel proud and important to make us confident in our our powers, instead of trusting in God.

There are a lot of ways the deceiver can tempt us; jealousy, hatred, envy. The father of all lies would like nothing more than for us to follow his example and become liars and lead others astray. He is powerful, crafty, and subtle. He is called the god of this world, the prince of this world, and the prince of the power of the air.

In his book Mr. Graham told a story regarding Satan’s attacks.

Years ago I heard my friend J. Edwin Orr compare the Christian attacked by Satan to a mouse being attacked by a housewife wielding a broom. The mouse does not sit there contemplating the housewife or the broom. It is busy looking for a hole — a way to escape. So we Christians under satanic attack should look for our “way of escape.”

He goes further to say, “The devil will tremble when you pray. He will be defeated when you quote or read a passage of Scripture to him, and will leave you when you resist him.”

Next, among our enemies is the world. Mr. Graham said when anyone asks him how to know what is “okay” to do, and what isn’t he tells them to “earnestly and prayerfully ask, ‘What would Christ have me to do?’ ‘Can I ask His blessing upon this particular thing for me?’ ‘What would Christ think about my amusements, recreation, books, companions, and television programs?’ ‘Could I ask Christ to go along with me to this particular event?’ Being omnipresent, He’ll be there anyway. The point is, should you?”

He continues by saying, “This does not mean that in society we are snobs or have a superiority complex, lest we be in danger of spiritual pride — which would be far worse than any worldliness. But today there are so many professing Christians who are walking hand in hand with the world that you cannot tell the difference between the Christian and the unbeliever. This should never be.”

Lastly, Mr. Graham addresses the third enemy we face; the lust of the flesh, which he calls that evil tendency of your inward self. “It is the battle of the self-life and the Christ-life. This old nature cannot please God. It cannot be converted, or even patched up. Thank God, when Jesus died He took you with Him, and the old nature can be made inoperative and you can “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (Romans 6:11). This is done by faith.

Aren’t we glad we don’t have to fight these battles alone?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. Ephesians 6:12 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!