One of the realities of the kingdom of God is the inevitability, existence and continuation of spiritual warfare between the forces of darkness against the forces of light, just as the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David grew steadily stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Samuel 3:1.
The gospel truth is whenever a new convert comes into the kingdom; he’s been recruited and enlisted as an army for the Lord. He is to be trained, equiped and ready to fight for his soul to heaven, and for the church, in the defense of the truth. Apostle Paul, narrating his spiritual experieces at Ephesus, has this to say, – it was not after the manner of men he had fought with the beasts at Ephesus, meaning that the uproar and the attemps made on his life were spiritual battles, attacks, confrontations and resistance orchestrated by Satan through men against the gospel of Christ preached by Paul. Idol temple builders and contractors such as Demetrius the silversmith with others of the same trade found Apostle Paul as threat to their business and livelihood, preaching Christ to turn people away from worshipping idol to ruin their trade, thereby set up the mob against them. They were the beasts, demons enters them, incited by Satan to try to kill the Apostle for preaching Christ, for trying to stop idol worshippers from serving false god through the preaching of the gospel. This is the nature of spiritual warfare against the soldirs of Christ – I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 1 Corinthians 15:31-32.
It was not the kind of David’s experience running after a lion or a bear to rescue one of his father’s sheep taken to be devoured: that was to protect family’s bussiness, it has nothing to do with spiritual battle; though, it serves David in formation to trust God while alone in the wilderness for future use. 1 Samuel 17:37.
In our class of disciples, there are special practical and theory lessons and seasons on spiritual warfare, where the new converts are taught and trained the art of spiritual combat. People should be honestly informed of what to expect in the kingdom, when they go out to minister to others outside the church or anywhere. They should know, for better preparation, what to expect when they go beyond the enemy’s line: to be ready, as instruments of spiritual warfare for the Lord of hosts, against darkness and the gates of hell – thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. Jeremiah 51:20-23.
It will be to the advantages of the new convert to learn and know the art of spiritual warfare as soon as they come into the kingdom – to know earlier that there is an enemy – Satan who won’t go away, until the time destined to be arrested, bind and put into prison not to tempt or oppress the nations again. Alert and teach them on how to resist, bind, and to disrupt the works of the forces of darkness against them through intercessory warfare prayers – never to be ignorant of the devises of Satan, but know how to increase in the discernement of the spirit against the works, forces and presence of darkness around them. They should be taught early to avoid anything that interest Satan; to keep their houses clean, lest the enemy should seek to come back with seven other spirits more wicked than himself to hurt them: to know how to speak the word of God into their situations and life at all time for a change, no matter how long it takes, that they might influence the outcome of their spiritual battles through constant positive confession. Having understanding that the enemy work to make them fall or to be misled, except they take heed, lest they fall or go astray. They should know that the enemy will try to oppose them from making any spritual progress and growth, by weakening their prayer life, distracting them from constant study of God’s word, and weakening them from their fasting life; all these to dispossess them of their spiritual power as a military soldier of Christ.
The heavens laments with a great cry of the presence of this enemy for the troubles he brings down to the sons of men on earth, and for the inhabitants of the sea – woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12.
The unbroken christians are not only mindful and lustful for the things on earth, they are also worldly, earthly and carnally minded, walking and waring according to the flesh. But the broken believers fight for heaven, laying hold of eternal life, choses not to entangle themselves with the affairs of this life, that they might please him – God who has chosen them to be soldiers. They have their hearts and affections set on things on above, transffering to, and laying up treasures for themselves in heaven, until the final battle is fought, and they triumphed over their last fight – No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Timothy 2:4-5.
Though, spiritual battle originated from heaven when Satan lost the first campaign of rebellion against God to continue the fight with man on earth, it is the battle of the present against the eternal future of man. It is against our greatest trophy – heaven which worth fighting for. First, Christ paid the price to make us eligible candidates of heaven. We are called to fight our ways to heaven by resisting the Devil who doesn’t want anyone to get there or to enter into the eternal abode of God, especailly, the remnant of the seeds of the woman, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ – Church, the body of Christ, the saved souls, forgiven and redeem by the blood of Jesus. Revelation 12:17.
If we fight according to the rules on engagements, constant victory is predicted as the outcome of every spiritual warfare we engage for the Lord, or we’re been defy by the enemy. This was determined from eternity, before we were born into the battle, when the enemy of our soul, the accuser of our brehren was defeated by the blood of Lamb, and was cast out from heaven. Spiritual warfare is a battle of light against darkness. The battle of truth – God’s word, against falsehood and deception of Satan, opposing and twisting the word of God. It is the battle of righteousness against sin, for it is in righteousness our Lord doth fight and make his war. Revelation 19:11.
It is in the righteousness of Christ shall the believer fight his battles, win every battles, and be establsihed in righteousness forever and ever. Isaiah 54:14. His security is assured and secured as long as he fight from the position of maintaning, walking and living in the righteousness of Christ. This is his intergrity which will guide him in battle – the righteousness of Christ must be preserved, hold fast unto it (Job 27:6), show it as his girdle of his waist (Isaiah 11:5), the show on his chest (Isaiah. 11:5) to protect his heart against sin and the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 6:14), making a constant unashamed open declaration of himself (the believer) as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus – I am the rightoeusness of God in Christ Jesus.
This is the gospel truth, believers in Christ Jesus are called to fight because the Lord shall make his people (the believers) as mighty men, which tread down thier enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them , and the riders on horses shall be confounded. Zachariah 10: 5.
Do not break the wall, and the serpent can’t bite you. Ecclesiastes 10:8. If we fight according to the rules on engagements (and if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Timothy 2: 5), not engage in a false fight by not holding the truth in unrightoeusness, constant victory is predicted for the outcome of every spiritual warfare, God will always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Spiritual battle is real, this is why believers shall be call overcomers at the end – this is the reason why the cowards and fearful shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. It is a spiritual battle, not against the flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12.
Satan fights you from these three major ways. First, he fight to attack your thoughts and mind through the infleuence of the prince of the power of the air, seeking to gain control over your thoughts, actions and ways, just as he fought to tempt Christ in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1. Second, he will fight you through the unconverted people of the world through persecution, violent hatred to victimnize you, to change your opinion on sin, or to change your stand about sin. Mark 4:17.
Satan don’t fight the non entity in the kingdom, they don’t disturbs him. When he roar at them, they can’t bark back, contrary, they back away, thay can’t engage the enemy in the battle they are called to fight because they fight for their stomachs and pockets – his watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Isaiah 56:10-11.
Those who will work and walk in the timely revelatory understanding of the will and purposes of God on earth, must be men and women of spiritual warfare prayers of determined minds for the Lord: though it takes time to get a response from God, they don’t accept no for an answer, but they keep praying until they get a clear answer from above, keep praying to clear away the demonic interference which can be at work to disrupt the smooth flow of spiritual communication between them and God. This is the good fight of faith. For example, you see Daniel prayed and God answered instantly while angel sent to deliver the response was delayed for twenty one days, fortunately, that Daniel did not gave up on his request until another intervention took place for the revelation to get to him.
Most of the time, the enemy will put up a very strong resistance to break your will, try to discourage, weaken and stop you from becoming what you’ve been called to be in the Lord. This is where the law of spiritual importune is applicable in spiritual warfare, to keep praying until you prevail. The resistance from the enemy, though may last for a while, is to test your resolve and determination because of the glory they can see afar off. As long as your demand and fight is legitimate, persistency will prevails in spiritual warfare – I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7.
Sometimes, the enemy will resist you through church people you’re called to fight together as one team through confusion and arguements, not seeing things the same way, to sway you away from God’s will, just as he sought to use Peter against Christ from going to the cross – tried to used the weeping sentiments of the Ephessians brethren to disuade Paul from goinf to Jerusalem by the guidance of the Spirit of God because bonds and imprisonments awaits him there. Matthew 16:23. Acts 21:13. Third, the devil will fight you through your fleshly lusts, the works of the flesh, which are waging war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11.
If you defeat your sins (1 Peter 4:1-2), you will defeat the devil, and you will triumph over the sons and daughters of Belial in the world. Victory is assured over or against all of the three bases the enemy might chose to launch his attacks against you, if you will defeat the old man in all its deceitful works in you, and the body of sin is destroyed.
It is illegitimate for the enemy to touch you, if you keep yourself in the rightoeusness of God, and will not go out of his way. Psalms 18:21. If at all he does, be sure that there is no weapon fashion against you that shall prosper. Either from the heavenly places, or through the human agents, sons and daughters of Belial; worst, that the devil try to fight you through the unbroken strongholds in you, you can have victory, if you pray for grace to subdue the flesh, to suffer it, that we might cease from sin – And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. Psalms 39:7-8.
The present exalted spiritual position of a believer in Christ (and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6) calls for certain moral responsibilities which obliges him to take actions against the works of the flesh to increase in power and to maintain his victory in the Lord – the flesh profits nothing.
In view of this spiritual battle, there is a commmand to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3-6. For whatever reason, no faithful soldier will ever retreat from the battle – it is either he dies in the battle for the cause of his nation, or joyfully goes back home after the end or fall of the last enemy in battle. A soldier who desert the battle is a backslide believer, on such, the Lord’s soul shall have no pleasure, having loved their present life, they will lose it for eternal life. Hebrews 10:38-39.
A soldier of Christ should live daily for him, fighting the battles of his Lord through prayer, preaching, teaching, witnessing to others, and setting the captives free. He defend the interests of the kingdom, goes about the bussiness of his master to win souls, lest be he cut off from the vine as an unfruitful branch. It is not tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword: not death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate him from from his daily spiritual engagements to the Lord until he lay down his sword – And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:61-62.
Satan is the god of this world, and he rules over, and reign in the lives of the disobedient children.The call of the Lord Jesus to go out into all the world to make disciples of all nations, is a direct call from him to take the battle to the camp or gate of the enemy, to take the children of the enemy as captives for the Lord, making them the freeman of the Lord – In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. Isaiah 28:5-6.
If you take the battle to the enemy or not, he’s fighting you. It is better to be on the offensive, the best defense is a good offense. But, how can you defend yourself or dare go to fight the enemy at his camp, bearing not the mark of the righteousness of the Lord upon you, not prayerful, not watchful, not filled with the word and spirit of God, not being led by the spirit of God, if you’re not to be captured, wounded or killed in the battle? If the ambassador or ambassadrice sent to deliver the gays and lesbians will not himself or herself become a gay or lesbian, they should know that as they seek to save the prey from the enemy, the also want to use his prey to trap them, they should be wise as serpent, don’t force anyhting in spiritual battle, lest for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2 Peter 2:19.
This is war and there is no neutral. If you are not for the Lord and on his side of the battle, you are not for him. You cannot turn your back away from the righteousness of the Lord, the enemy will touch and destroy you – we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18. And, you cannot hide from Satan outside the strong tower of the name of the Lord, whosoever gathers not with the Christ, will be scattered abroad. Matthew 12:30. Note: the sinners in Zion, the fearful and the cowards and whosoever not prepared themselves to engage in spiritual warfare for the Lord, shall be the victims, losers and captives to the enemy, but his people shall be willing, in the day of his power. Psalms 110: 3.
Soul winning is a necessity, but a wise soul winner must be first clean, pure and holy, then be ready to preach in season and out of season as being led by the spirit of God – depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward. Isaiah 52:11-12.
The bible reveals that through many tribulations shall the believer gain his enttance into the kingdom of heaven. Acts 14:22. Through many tribulation, this indicate, that though the believer’s mind shall be kept in perfect peace in God on earth, because he trusted in him, yet, it is going to be in the midst of a life long spiritual warfare of endurance against the contradiction of sinners. Hebrews 13:3: (b) he should resist, subdue and mortify the fleshly lusts which are waging war against his soul – he carries himself along everyday, there should be no trust for the flesh. Hebrews 12:4: (c) be alerted and conscious of th war against the powers, principalities, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places: learn and know how to maintain inner peace and outward calm in the midst of your spiritual conflicts, the Lord has overcome the world. John 16:33. The victorious shall be crowned, clothed with white garments with palms leaves in their hands to celebrate their bravery and faithfulness on earth to the Lord. Revelation 7:9-14.
Believers are not alone in this spirutal warfare against the agents of Satan, demons and Satan himself. There are myriad of angels of God encamps around them to deliever them. Are – the angels, not ministering spirit, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation? And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. Zachariah 10:5. Hebrews 1:14.
The believers are fighting in Christ, this is the reason they are complete in him, which is the head of principality and power. Colossains 2:10. They fights through Christ in them, this make them stronger than their enemies, because greater is he that is in them, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4. They fight and labour in prayer, like a woman who is about to give birth, labour in pain to bring forth her son, so that all the souls for the sacrifice Christ made should be saved unto eternal life. Isaiah 66:8. They keep fighting to stand firm in the liberty of Christ: fight to stand in his victory: fight to confirm and repeat the same victory which was wrought for them at the cross in the life of others for their salvation. Christ bruised the head of the serpent, they’ve also been given power by Christ to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19.
The dispositions of the assured victory to believer is based on (a) the reason of his new birth – the crucified Christ in him. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5: 4-5: (b) the faithfulness of God in the continuation and completeness of what he has begun in his life – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:28-29: (c) the defense of God as the wall of fire around his people (Zachariah 2:5) as the mountain is round about Jerusalem so the Lord is around them, apart from the company of angels sent to help and protect them in battles – I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. Zachariah 9:8.
God promised ultimate defeat of Satan in ‘the seed of the woman’ which was Christ. This was fulfilled when he spoiled the principality and powers, bruised the head of the serpent on the cross, and take away the keys of hell and death from Satan, destroyed him that had the power of death – the devil. Hebrews 2:14. Colossians 2:15.
Either for yourself or another, you always engages the enemy in spiritual warfare through intercessory warfare prayers. Woe unto them that eats, drinks with the drunkards, and sleeps with the slumbers when they ought to pray and watch to keep their lamps burning for the sudden arrival of the bridegroom. Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion. Amos 6:1. Cursed be the believer that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Jeremaiah 48: 10.
Is there any believer, a great man or woman of God, who claims not to engage in any form of spiritual battle on earth, he is a liar? Perhaps, he has a pact with the enemy, working for the devil to compromise the church, and to betray his brethren into the hands of the enemy: (b) or his eyes has began to wax dim, that he could not see clearly like Eli was unable to see the dangers of the defeats of his two sons in spiritual battles against their sins in the temple, punished to die physically by the swords of the Philistines: (c) or he’s already a captive of the enemy by his own sin, and his heart is hardened to repent and fight back – spiritually dead, so that the lawful captive could be not delievered, though could be delivered : be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Note: David in battle against Goliath will only use the sling with stone, that which he is accostomed with the Lord, but not the sword of the fearful King Saul to defeat Goliath. Those who will not use the sword of the Lord with other available weapons mighty in the Lord to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-9), but will seek for other battlements to fight and engage the enemy, shall die and perish by the sword of the enemy. 1 Samuel 17:39.
I will build my church; and gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18. If the gates of hell fights the church, it means you are particularly also a target in the warfare by Satan and his demons and agents of darkness against the church. You are part of the church, are you not born again, have you not been baptized into Christ, have you not put on Christ? Is not your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? The gates of hell fights to destroy the church by trying to take them out one by one, member by member. Every member in the body of Christ has its own role to play in the battle for the overall well being of the entire body. Why are we are the keeper of our brothers? Is it not to watch their backs in the battle through prayers? When a soldier fall or receives a bullet in the battle front, another will raise him up and draw him away to safety where he can be treated to save his life – remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Hebrews 13:3.
The believer in Christ Jesus is now delivered from the power of darkness, into the kingdom of God’s dear son. Now, his battle and resistance is to stand firm to maintain the liberty wherein the Lord has made him free, never to be entagled again with any yoke of bondage. He must fight for the truth, which is faith once delievered unto the saints – to resist and to overcome false doctrines and teachings of the false prophets, apostles, teachers, pastors and evangelists and false brethren, and be built upon the foundation of the (early) apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:20-21. He must fight – resist to overcome the corruption that is in the world through lusts. He must continue to fight by cultivating and producing the fruit of the spirit, against the works of the flesh, as he continue to sow in the spirit, having began in the spirit, he should not be made perfect in the flesh, lest he should suffer in the Lord in vain. Galatians 3:3.
Don’t forget that it was the same battle Adam lost in the garden, but was won by Christ in the desert – the battle against the truth and the will of God. If the devil can have anyone to compromise, add or remove from the word of God for any reason, it is to defeat them, having made them a liar, and to make the light in them to become darkness – to make room or open the door for outer darkness to come in. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7.
Satan doesn’t know anything about the availability and mystery of the blood of the Lamb until there was war in heaven, when God give access to the blood of the Lamb foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1: 20) to Michael and his angels as the weapon to defeat his rebellion in heaven with the word of their testimony. The word of their testimony is the eternal word of God which was with God from the beginning – woe unto him that strive with his maker – angel or man. Isaiah 45:9.
In spiritual battle on earth, the means of the victory in heaven against the old dragon is the same means of our victory on earth through the blood of the Lamb shed from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), ceremoniously shed on calvary as the symbol of the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. It is called the blood of everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20), meaning that it has been made available from eternity as an assurance of security for all things created in heaven and on earth, things under the earth, and in the sea, against any loss, theft and destruction. All things were made by the word, which was Christ: and this Christ was foreordained by God to be the second Adam, but he must be partaker of flesh and blood, though should be sinless, as that holy thing, the Son of the Most High, to qualify him for the redemption of man, for the sin not yet commited, nonetheless, the blood was deposited as guarantee for the restoration of man, to obtain eternal salvation for him. Hebrews 9:12.
This is the seed of the woman, the sinless Christ, prepared and promised to bruise the head of the serpent, which appeared before throne as the Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Revelation 5:6. We are blood bought children of God, this fact should be spoken to Satan. What is written is the eternal word of God, it is the word of our testimony, not only is to be used to defend us as a shield, but also as the sword of the spirit to inflict wounds on the old serpent that he might back off. This is the legal ground by which any spiritual battle should be won – I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14.
Except you are rooted and grounded in the incorruptible word of God, to do and live by that which guarantee your victory over Satan, you will be made unstable and defeated by the enemy, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, the devil also not abide in the truth, was defeated and crushed by the word of God. John 8:44.
There are lessons to learn in spiritual warfare: (a) before you seek to revenge every disobedient, it should not be until after you have brought every thought in you unto captivity unto the obedience of Christ. If you will not submit yuourself to God, what right do you have to resist Satan? How could you yield to Satan and resist him at he same time? Are you the servant to whom you obey? If you obey God, he will back up your word. Your increase obedience also increase the boldness and authority you can excercise from God. The power and glory of obedient life will force the Devil to submit to the authority of God upon your life in spiritual warfare. Like the Lord knows them that are his, Satan also know them that are fulfilling his pleasure. How do you enter into the house of a strongman, if you don’t first bind him before you enter into his house, otherwise, he will do great damages and inflict more injuries on you. Matthew 12:29. First, if you have dealt deadly blow to the devil in your own life, then you can be assured that he will obey whenever you bind him in other’s people’s life to set them free. Scatter first his goods in your life, before you’ll be able to scatter his goods in other’s people’s life, otherwise, you will receive unlikable terrible responses from the enemy: Christ says, the prince of this world comes, but has nothing in me. John 14:30: (b) through the imposition of hands, power is contacted and a link is opened to give or receive something good or bad. If you are not filled with the spirit of God beyond the evil presence in another’s life, the laying on of hands can have a bad outcome on you. Never be in haste to lay hand on anyone for impartation of a virtue, or healing of the sick, except you are led by the spirit of God, lest an evil transfer should take place, and you bear an evil burden when there is no measurable amount of annointing of the spirit of God in you to raise up his standard against the enemy to cover you from within. Isaiah 59:19: (c) studying the life of David, you’ll understand the importance of divine guidance and instructions in spiritual warfare.
We cannot separate a good, healthy and growing intimacy with God from the art of spiritual warfare. Your spiritual battle is within the confine of your bedroom or where you’ve established for your daily prayer season before the throne of God. Is he not the Lord of host, the captain of the armies of the Lord? Should we not receive our instructions from him, even as Joshua bowed in reverence to ask, what saith my Lord unto his servant before the conquest of Jericho? Joshua 5: 14.
Ezra taught us a good lesson on initimacy with God in spiritual warfare. Note: if Satan who is the thief, murderer and the destroyer is conquered on our knees through warfare spiritual prayers, let us be rest assured that there will not be any agent of his to rob or plunder us on our way. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Ezra 8: 21-23.
Not all the soldiers of the Lord will receive earthly rewards of their spiritual warfare, being faithful unto death, they keeps fighting until their last strenght is gone to hold their swords to enter eternity with God – others are tourtured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a beter ressurection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. These type of soldiers are of a different making and brand among the Lord’s army – martyrs – And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Hebrews 11:35-39. Revelation 6:9-10.
We should not mistake or take spiritual violence for physical violence or abuse, they are not the same thing, – a servant of the Lord must not strive, but avoid strife, the work of the flesh, those that do such thing, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. You must engage in spiritual battle continually, because the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men takes it by force. Matthew 11:12.
Spiritual warfare is not a violent – physical fight. It is not boxing or kick boxing – karate, – judo – tae kwon do – aikido or by any form of martial arts. Spiritual battle is not meant to be fought by oppressing, intimidating, insulting and victimizing others – not the battle of sword and spear, going about with a knife or gun to defend yourself if someone should try to attack you because of your faith in Christ Jesus. Psalms 11:5.
The daily prayers of a believer for those in authority and for all men influence the nations from the realm of the spirit against the the devil who seeks to control them by the prince of the power of the air. As we engage for the Lord in continual supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; we will lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty: the Lord will also engage for our interest to defend and preserve us in spiritual warfare. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows: – for thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. Isaiah 31:4-5.
The present, future and daily battles are won from the place of your daily routine of intimacy with God, rising early to worship, pray and study the word of God. The battles are won on the knees or while praying standing with all kinds of prayers and supplications in the spirit – For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. Isaiah 9:5. Note: those who have fought and won their battles at home – on their kness, in the middle of the night, early in the morning, midday or evening, will not argue or strive with anyone outside – if they’ve had power with God and prevailed secretly, they will also prevail against Satan and man outside and openly – pray without ceasing – continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Since it is a spiritual warfare, the best form of prayer to engage or utilize should be praying in the spirit which is the confused noise of the warrior who is redeemed by the blood, clothed in the righteusness of his Lord, baptized with holy ghost and fire. In the epistle on spiritual warfare, full description of the soldier and the mode of his prayer, apostle Paul speaks about praying with all kinds of prayer and supplication in the spirit. Ephesians 6:18.
Going by the scriptures, praying in the spirit, which is praying in an unknown ( the confused noise of a warrior) tongues is another kind of prayer which is different from praying in my understanding or local language. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:15. By praying in the spirit, which is praying in an unknown tongue, not my human spirit, I have given myself up to the help of the Holy Spirit within me to help pray perfectly according to the will of God concerning the present need – likewise the Spirit (if you give yourself to pray in unknown tongues) also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27.
In spiritual warfare, there is no other better way to pray to building up yourselves on your most holy faith than praying in the Holy Ghost, praying in new tongues, with the advanges of going extra miles in prayer where we lack intelligent words to continue before God in prayer.This is the reason why speaking in unknwon tongue is reserved for personal communication between you and God, not for any public worship in the church, if there is no interpreter for others to be edified, to speak to yourself and God (1 Corinthians 14:28): it is the confused noise of a warrior to confuse the enemy in spiritual battle. Forbid not to speak in tongue and critize not hil that speaks in tongue. 1 Corinthians 14: 39. Is it not written, and they shall speak in new tongues? Mark 16:17.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle, see his banner go! Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before!