ALL Christians face spiritual warfare. Some may not be aware of who actually is opposing them, and they end up taking offense and despising the people they ought to love. If we are not wise and equipped with minds renewed daily upon God’s Word we are easy prey to our enemy’s schemes and will believe that people are our enemy. In reality, all of humankind is under the sway of this masterful deceiver[1] in some way. Satan’s purpose is ONLY to steal, kill and destroy you[2].
What are your first thoughts when you wake up in the morning and there’s darkness present? Perhaps a bad dream resulting from the past. Where do you think these dark feelings come from? Certainly not from your loving Father who said He would cast our forgiven sins far from us and not bring them before us again. Of course, it would be from the oppressor, the enemy, who would like to rob you of the abundant life that Jesus promises to His own.
Be sure that when you are encountering these dark moments of fear, discouragement, shame or confusion, all of this is rooted in the strategy of Satan to cause you to doubt God and live in unbelief. Recognizing this and then going to God’s Word to renew your mind, and strengthen your soul, is the proper response. What did Paul tell us we should do daily in order to equip ourselves for these attacks? Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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”. Go on to read and study verses 14-17 to learn what the armor of God is.
When I consider how much training goes into equipping the military for earthy battles, let us consider the daily onslaught from hell that we face — it is very real. We need to be equipped and ready to recognize the battle we are in. We need to be careful not to involve ourselves in unnecessary skirmishes to the neglect of the real spiritual battle we’re in. We can be sidetracked fighting temporal situations and people, instead of the one God has declared to be our real enemy.
I Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Prayer is the needful, consistent, daily exchange between us and our Father. He desires to guide us and glorify Himself through us. To be useful in His Kingdom and overcome our enemy, we must communicate and hear from God, our Chief and Commander. A good soldier heeds what He says and does it. We must equip ourselves with spiritual armor (Eph. 6:10-18) against this enemy; remember he is a subtle deceiver, not easy to recognize. Our victory against Satan is firmly planted in Christ’s victory over death, hell, and the grave at Calvary; Christ earned this position for us and He is greater than our foe.
A song written by Martin Luther about 500 years ago, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, describes this battle. Here is verse one of this hymn. Powerful songs like this have kept believers strong in faith and action. May we recognize the enemy’s craft and respond in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
[1] 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
[2] John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.
May you RECOGNIZE your real enemy and RESPOND according to the Instruction Manual.
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God through our lives. In order to do this, we need to change our thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word. He helps us with this. God’s Word is capable of restructuring our thought patterns as we choose to renew our minds daily, desire to have the mind of Christ and walk in obedience to His teachings.
Imagine with me someone who was imprisoned underground away from any light for a long period of time. What would happen if you took them and suddenly transported them onto a bright sunny lawn? They would cringe, withdraw, every part would ache and try to run to shade for some relief. Bringing someone out of a life of darkness and pain takes time. The one thing we can offer someone who’s suffered in a prison of pain is HOPE.
move from darkness to light. It allows us to gradually see again. God’s love demonstrated to us, usually through people, allows for transition. We are not cast from a dark underground cell of pain and sin into the street of exposure — unlike those who brought the woman caught in the act of adultery into the village square and threw her at Jesus feet for judgment (John 8:3-5).
While in Romania this fall, I visited Ceausescu’s Palace. Once called the People’s House, today it is known as The Palace of the Parliament (the largest administrative building in the world). The Wumbrand’s were a family who knew what it was to suffer at the hands of another, yet God cared and demonstrated His love to them in the midst of suffering. Pastor Richard Wumbrand was held in solitary confinement
for 3 years during his 
Over time, the dark place in our life can become our normal; we learn to adjust and function there. But is it a place of freedom? That is an important question to ask yourself. God’s desire for each person he created is freedom, not bondage. Satan is the author of bondage. Jesus sacrificed, suffered, was crucified, died and was buried for us — for our sin. Satan was glad to see his nemesis crucified. BUT then something happened. . . the bonds of death could not hold Him in the grave. The earth shook, and the grave opened and He was free, He rose from the dead! Jesus became our example in overcoming Satan and his intentions. Death could not hold Him — He is our resurrected Savior and King! He
now offers this victorius LIFE to us. He was not a victim of Satan’s plans, nor are we.
you trust Him? Allow Him to show you the abundant life He offers? His Word will restructure your thoughts. You don’t have to hold on to old patterns of thinking that are wrong. God wants to instruct you in the way of life, as well as expose the enemy, Satan, for the wicked devil that he is.
and the Light will cause you to recoil and hide instead of embracing Him? If so, choose life today — find someone who is living in relationship with Christ that can help you find your way to Him. HOPE awaits you.
Nancy Demary 