How to Survive Spiritual Warfare

 

How to Survive Spiritual Warfare

Last summer, I had a visitation from Satan. Satan appeared to me as a swarm of rotating flies. He sounded like a mad beast. I was wide-awake when this occurred. He growled many threats toward me. He also threatened to kill me, in a very irate, deep voice. I rebuked him in the name of Jesus Christ, as well as quoted scriptures, and he departed. The angel of the Lord then came to comfort me. God’s Word teaches us that Satan (adversary or slanderer) is the father of all lies. There is no truth in him and his threats are a lie, as long as we are surrendered to Christ. If Jesus Christ is truly your Lord, then you are protected from the enemy. However, God’s Word teaches us to be fully clothed with the armor of Christ to withstand our adversary.

In a recent dream, I was standing on a bridge between two houses. I was on God’s side of the bridge, but I could see into Satan’s lair. A golden elevator door opened and I could see Satan watching me. Satan appeared to have a head that was similar to a ram, or goat, with twisted horns. The angel of the Lord said to me, “Satan is watching you from his lair.” I was then told to confront Satan. I walked across the bridge and entered Satan’s house. As I approached the elevator, the doors closed. I took my fists and pounded on the doors and said,” I rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ, Satan be gone!” I then saw two angels fly into the room through the windows. An angel then said to me, “Satan is afraid of the name of Jesus Christ.” I then noticed that the room appeared to be an office with Satan’s workers seated at desks.  Two scrolls appeared in my hands and I slammed them down on the front desk. Fire came from the scrolls and burned the building to the ground.

The scrolls were the Word of God and they destroyed Satan’s kingdom. In order to survive spiritual warfare, a Christian needs to understand their authority in Christ. God’s Word states, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. If your life is truly submitted to God, then you have the authority of Christ. If you quote scriptures with faith, the enemy will depart. Fear is an open door to the devil, but faith in God’s Word will close the door shut. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit, in which we wage spiritual warfare.

(James 4:7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.  

(Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It is very important for the Christian to understand spiritual warfare, since we have an adversary seeking our destruction. God’s Word tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is also referred to as, the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. One of Satan’s tactics is to stir people up in anger towards God. Many people blame God for the problems that they experience in this life, and they are oblivious to the fact, that there are two opposing kingdoms at work in the earth. Ephesians 6:12 states that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The truth is that we live in a war zone, and the battle is over the souls of men. If you belong to Christ, then you are in the Lord’s army, and Satan’s kingdom has declared all-out war against you. However, the good news is, greater is he that is within you than he that is in the world, and if you remain in Christ until the end, you will inherit eternal life. If you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then you have the power to live an overcoming life, as well as the authority to put the devil to flight. In these last days, it is crucial that all Christians receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, in order to be able to stand firm in Christ, against the many snares of the devil.

(Ephesians 6:13-18)

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

In order to survive spiritual warfare, we must be clothed with the full armor of God. Verses 14-18 states that we are to stand, having girded our waist with truth. According to God’s Word, no liar shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven. In regard, to the swearing of oaths, Christ said that our yes should mean yes, and our no should mean no, and anything else comes from the evil one. God holds the truth in high regard and so should we. Next, we are told, to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness does not mean perfection, but it does mean that we are to live right, and this is a reference to sanctification (being purified by God’s Spirit, as well as set apart from the sinful world). The breastplate is the most important part of the warrior’s armor because it guards the heart, lungs, as well as other vital organs. God’s Word teaches us, that without holiness no man shall see the Father. Satan’s desire is to morally corrupt a person, in order to give a spiritual death blow to the Christian, that is why the breastplate of righteousness is the most vital piece of armor for our survival. We are also, told to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. God’s Word says, blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news. If you belong to Christ, then you are commissioned to share your faith with others. It is very important to have our theology straight, before sharing our faith, because we are held responsible by God for what we teach. That is why we need to not only read God’s Word, but to study it, to show ourselves approved. Christ made peace, between us and the Father through his death upon the cross, and we are to share this gospel of peace with others.

 We are also, told to take the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Fear is the opposite of faith and fear can quite often empower Satan’s attacks against us. That is why faith is vital for our protection against the many on slots and snares of the evil one. In battle, the shield repelled the blows of the enemies weapons, and the same is also true in spiritual warfare, it is the shield of faith that stops the attacks. If we have faith that our Lord is bigger, as well as stronger than any of our enemies, then our prayers will be answered, and victory will be the result. Faith is the key for many breakthroughs in the Christian walk. Healings, deliverance from demonic activity, as well as everyday life situations, require faith to get results.

 We are also, told to wear the helmet of salvation. Paul was saying that we must remain in Christ, and continue to keep the helmet of salvation on, because it is possible to fall away from Christ, because we have a free will. As I stated previously, the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy of our souls. When the enemy attacks, we are to lift our shield of faith, and stand on God’s Word to stop the attacks.