SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND BEING VICTORIOUS
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
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What is spiritual warfare? According to Webster’s dictionary warfare
Is defined as: “conflict between nations.” In the spiritual context spiritual warfare is defined as a spiritual battle within oneself or a battle between outside spiritual forces. Scripture states in II Corinthians 10:4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;” Warfare is having to press one’s way through prayer, fasting and giving oneself wholly unto God in order to conquer the individual battle that one experiences. For example, a spiritual warfare could be classified as an individual who once was addicted to drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. These are battles that are classified as a spiritual battle due to a new believe who is first saved and delivered will experience great spiritual warfare in different areas.
This is not to say a christian or individual who have had a clean and/or sober lifestyle for years will not experience an urge or struggle to revert back to old habits. This is only one example of a type of spiritual warfare. The warfare is being able to fight against what your personal battle is. Whether one has walked with the Lord for one year or many years spiritual battles, (i.e. warfare will and must come in order for spiritual growth). Scripture states to think it not strange when fiery trails come. In I Peter4:12 “Behold, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” The Apostle Peter goes on to say in the next verse that we are to rejoice as we are part takers in Christ’s suffering.
How are christains to be victorious in their spiritual warfare?
1.) By putting on the whole armour of God! Ephesians 6:10
2.) By continual prayer I Thess. 5:17
3.) By renewing the mind daily Romans 12:2
When christains are fully cloaked in the armour of God according to;
Eph. 6:13-15 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. And having done all, to stand 14: Stand therefore, having your lions girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15:And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
PRESSING THROUGH IN PRAYER
PRESSING THROUGH IN PRAYER
During times of spiritual battle prayer is the most important aspect in being victorious in a spiritual battle, without a prayer life in place it is difficult to gain and maintain victory before, during, and after a spiritual battle. For this reason christains should develop a prayer life. In the church today Christians are very familiar with asking others to pray for them, but long gone are the days when the Saints of God had a daily, committed, devotional prayer life.
The scripture states;
Psalms 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
During times of spiritual battle the midnight hour of weeping seem to go on for an eternity. Times of trials whether great or small are always a time when the face of God must be sought. Saints of old use to call spiritual battles a dessert or valley experience due to it being a very low point in a Christian’s walk with the Lord. Saints of old would call spiritual battles the dessert experience due to it being a time of spiritual dryness meaning without or having a little amount of joy or Holy Spirit to draw from the wells of salvation.
Know this spiritual battles are not won over night, spiritual battles can last days, weeks, or any months. Please do bare in mind for the purpose of this article when speaking of spiritual battles it can and will mean a different experience for every individual. Now let’s continue in the discussion of prayer. There is never, ever a spiritual battle that is absent of prayer. How can one expect to come out of a battle without prayer? They can NOT!! There is no formula for conquering a spiritual battle it is simple pray, pray, and then pray some more. Prayer is one of the hardest things for some Christians to do. Prayer is not east, and it can be hard work especially when prayer leads to travailing in the spirit.
RENEWING THE MIND
When it comes to spiritual battles there can be no battle except the mind take on being renewed. The scriptures in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Firstly when it comes to spiritual battles we are not to be conformed to this present world. Must times battles come due to christains who have not transformed their thinking, and have renewed their mind will discover a spiritual battle will not be as difficult to go through.
The mind is the battlefield, having control of your mind is an absolute must! One must saturate their mind with the Word of God.
