I was in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. We were trained and equipped to fight and taught what to do when we were attacked. Fortunately, I never had to use those skills in the war. It was doing that time that I started to grow as a Christian. I had to learn how to fight a different enemy and find new skills to use when spiritually attacked. As Christians, we are in a war. It is a spiritual battle. Yet often Christians aren’t trained or equipped for the battles they will be facing. What kind of army doesn’t equip and prepare their new recruits to defeat their enemies? Yet it seems that many Christians are unaware of how to win their spiritual battles. In fact, I think most don’t even really know what spiritual warfare is. Ask 10 Christians what spiritual warfare is and you’ll probably get 10 different answers that vary greatly.
We are so used to facing difficulties in life that sometimes we don’t distinguish between what is an attack by the enemy from what are normal struggles and challenges in life. Don’t assume everything is an attack by Satan. Don’t give him more credit than he is due. Don’t underestimate the consequences of living in a fallen body in a fallen world. But neither should you assume that demons aren’t working against all who seek to follow Jesus, for they are (Ephesians 6:2; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Paul says we must we discerning “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Satan disguises his attacks so we don’t recognize them and therefore don’t respond as we should. If we don’t know what is from our enemy how can we defeat it?
A spiritual attack is when evil forces, whether physical or spiritual, wage battle against Christians. This could look like chronic exhaustion and fatigue; frequent and debilitating migraines; persistent fears, worries, or doubts; increased strife with other people in your world; an onslaught of repeated temptation; obstacles to your spiritual life, such as car troubles that prevent you from getting to church or Bible study, or Internet issues while you’re trying to post your testimony online; difficulty hearing or understanding God’s word; depression; feelings of shame and guilt; heightened feelings of loneliness; and much more.
When you do sense something going on in your life might be from Satan (really his demons for Satan can only be one place at a time and he more important work then messing with you or me) pray for wisdom. Recognizing it as a demonic attack should help you know how to respond. We stand against it, oppose it and don’t give in to it (Matthew 4:10; 16:23). We stand strong (Ephesians 6:10-13), faithfully worshipping and serving God no matter what. We do not let it defeat us mentally or emotionally.
In order to stand firm in God’s power we need to make sure there is nothing in our lives that should not be there. This includes things we do, say or think. It also includes good things we should do, say or think but don’t (sins of omission). If there is anything wrong, confess it (1 John 1:9). Psalm 91:1-2 expresses this poetically, noting, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
Jesus promises, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (symbolic pictures of demons) and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19). – TO BE CONTINUED IN NEXT BLOG
Are you facing any spiritual warfare battles right now? How do you know they are from the enemy and not from your own flesh or the ungodly world? Ask God to give you discernment and show you what to do.
“SPIRITUAL WARFARE HANDBOOK” covers all the basic information you need to know in order to have victory in your spiritual battles. “SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND THE BIBLE,” my second book on Spiritual Warfare, goes into more detail by looking at all the verses in the Bible that deal with our battle with Satan. If you don’t have a copy of these free books, you can download them at https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/spiritual-warfare/learning-more/ Or you can email me at jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org. If you have questions or I can help you please email me. Forward to the book to those who would benefit, or send me their email address and I’ll send them a copy.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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