The issue of spiritual warfare has been on my mind a lot lately. I've finally come to a conclusion that I should have reached a long time ago.
I don't have to put up with his tactics.
According to Scripture, our enemy, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) There have been a fair number of days recently when I've thought the one he wanted to devour was me, and I don't appreciate it.
Last night, I read a couple of verses in 2 Corinthians that have left me wondering why I've tolerated his schemes so long.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 nasb)
Read that verse again and let it soak in.
This business of good versus evil is war, but we aren't powerless. We're equipped to fight. The weapon we have is "divinely powerful". That means it's the most powerful weapon imaginable, because it has the power of God in it.
This weapon does not just have a little power. It's powerful enough to utterly destroy the fortresses the enemy has claimed.
Does he have a stronghold in my life? We have a weapon that can shatter and destroy that stronghold.
Does he have a stronghold in the lives of our loved ones? We have a weapon that can shatter and destroy that stronghold.
Does he have a stronghold in our nation? We have a weapon that can shatter and destroy that stronghold, too.
What, you may be asking, is this divine nuclear weapon?
Ephesians 6 tells us God has given us only one offensive weapon in the fight against the forces of darkness. It's the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The word of God can demolish all the lies the enemy whispers, all the tricks our enemy tries, all the strongholds the enemy claims.
Waving the Bible will not get the job done. We need to study the Bible in order to understand it and to know how to use it. Then, we need to do exactly what it says.
When Scripture says to take every thought captive, we must take our thoughts captive.
When Scripture says to forgive, we have to forgive.
When it says to love the unlovely, we have to love.
The enemy will tell us it's too hard. Too terrible. But it's not. Forgiveness benefits us. Love benefits us. Even taking our thoughts captive benefits us. And when we do it, it will be worth it. As hard as it may be to believe (and to do), when we obey, we'll like the result.
If you're suffering under the schemes of the enemy, stop cowering.
Stand up and fight.
Use the Sword of the Spirit that God has already placed in your hand. Learn Scripture. Speak it aloud. Claim it. Obey it.
We have an enemy, but we can be free. If we will.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Craving Miracle Bread
Here's the link for Tuesday's post: The Water Walker in the Night
#warfare #SwordoftheSpirit
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