SPIRITUAL WARFARE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS
I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I’d be involved in spiritual warfare ministry. If you know me personally, you realize how totally unfitted I am personality wise to regularly battle demons! I never even liked or followed Superheroes growing up. Yet here I am.
It all started when I was unable to help a young man in my church who was battling with something he never seemed to defeat. About the same time things happened to some of my children that could only be described as demonic attacks. God brought people into my life to train and mentor me. I’ve been reading, writing, learning, training and ministering in spiritual warfare ever since. That was about 40 years ago.
My spiritual gifts are teaching, counseling and organization. But God also added discernment to help me understand the enemies’ ways and faith so I wouldn’t fear them. I have struggled with fear in many areas of life since I was a young child, but I have never been afraid of Satan or demons. God has replaced that fear with a strong righteous indignation that causes me to hate and want to defeat them.
I never desired to get into spiritual warfare and deliverance, but God has used it in my ministry here and in India. He has used it to teach me some very important truths, things I always knew but which have really been reinforced through my involvement in spiritual warfare. These are some of the main truths God has taught me through spiritual warfare:
GOD IS SOVEREIGN. I see that over and over. I know I, and those I work with, are powerless and helpless against Satan and his forces, yet God bring victory time after time. He is indeed greater (1 John 4:4). Demons must bow to Jesus (Mark 5:6). God uses even their evil work to bring about good in our lives (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20).
SATAN & DEMONS ARE REAL. I’m a person that has to see it to believe it, and I’ve seen enough of Satan and demons to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are real. Their reality proves the reality of God and the truth of the Bible as well. I’ve seen the change Jesus makes when a person turns to Him for deliverance (Mark 5:15), sometimes instantly but other times gradually.
MAN HAS A FREE WILL. This truth is also evident. God never forces anyone to follow Him. No one is helpless to turn from Satan to Jesus. There are no helpless victims. Also, I cannot pray for someone to be freed unless that person chooses light over darkness, life over death and Jesus over Satan. I cannot force a demon to leave a person if that person allows him continued access. I won’t even try, for Jesus says that unless a person fills themselves with His Presence, many more, worse demons will come back (Matthew 12:43-45). That’s why counseling and growing spiritually are so important
THE BLOOD OF JESUS IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE. We all know this in our head, but seeing it work makes it more meaningful. Spiritual warfare shows me God’s power, through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Some people respond to God’s love, but I’ve always responded more to His power. I see that clearly when someone gains victory over Satan and his forces. Demons don’t have to listen to you or me, but they must listen to Jesus!
I never asked to be involved in spiritual warfare ministry, but I thank God that He chose me, gifted me and used me for His glory. As with everything God does, I have benefited greatly from it.
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
What lessons has God taught you through spiritual warfare? I’d like to hear from you and have you share what you’ve learned with me. Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
ChristianTrainingOnline.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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