Spiritual warfare begins within the mind and concludes within the mind.
Therefore, today we will discuss what transpires on the battlefield of the mind. Let's begin by understanding what spiritual warfare is. Simply put, it is an opposition from the evil one. This automatically occurs when you decide to follow God, and it intensifies when you reach the point of worshiping God in truth and in spirit, aligning your will with His, and your personal desires no longer matter. Your spiritual warfare, or opposition, takes on another level. This happens because you are engaged in an ongoing war between good and evil. The purpose of this warfare is to distract or stop you from fulfilling God’s will, which often starts with a lie in your mind.
Ephesians 6:12 states, '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. The scripture we just read suggests that believers are involved in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil rather than mere human adversaries. The tactics employed in this battle originate from the spiritual realm and are not of a physical or worldly nature; instead, they stem from the forces of darkness. This opposition is commonly referred to as spiritual warfare.
The challenges faced by believers are spiritual rather than physical. Everything originates in the spiritual realm before manifesting in our physical world. When confronted with any challenges, be it marital issues, financial struggles, health concerns, etc., they are initially established in the spiritual realm. Often, you may receive glimpses of these challenges in your dreams, providing an opportunity to oppose or prepare for what is to come. In the spiritual realm, it is a principle (spiritual laws) for both good(God) and bad(evil) spirits to disclose their impending manifestations in our world. This disclosure is necessary as they seek to establish an agreement with the human. To support my assertion, I cite the following scriptures to study: Genesis 15:4-15, Genesis 41:1-7, Genesis 40:5-9, Genesis 37:5-9, Judges 7:13-17, Daniel 2:1,31, Matthew 1:20,21, and Matthew 2:13-20.
Let's validate this claim by turning to scriptural references, beginning with the foundational verses in Genesis 1:26, 28, and Psalm 8:6. In these passages, God granted humanity dominion over the Earth, appointing humans as the rightful custodians and stewards of the earth. The directive to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, and subdue the Earth emphasizes our unique responsibility. Scripture makes it clear that humans alone possess the legal authority to operate in this world through their physical bodies.
Nonetheless, this authority is intricately linked to our mortal existence. As emphasized in Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ecclesiastes 9:5, Psalm 146:4, and Luke 16:19-31, when individuals pass away, they forfeit their legal right to govern the Earth. This reaffirms that spirits are not permitted to operate legally in this world. Therefore, our role as stewards is confined to our time on Earth.
In scripture, every divine action is carried out through human vessels, often communicated through their dreams. A significant example is the promise made to Abraham concerning his descendants, as documented in Genesis 15:4-15. God assured Abraham of a son who would be his heir and foretold the fate of his offspring. Furthermore, an agreement was established with Abraham as he erected an altar, facilitating God, who is a spirit, to fulfill His will. Even Jesus, who is God and a spirit, had to be born as a man to legally operate in our world and carry out God's bidding. Man is a spirit residing in a body.
Therefore, when opposition arises in the ongoing spiritual war, and we exist in a fallen world where the god of this world is our adversary, it is inevitable that we encounter opposition, also known as spiritual warfare. This is because we are not of this world, yet we have authority from Jesus to fulfill God's will. Our adversary, the devil, known as the father of lies, often orchestrates problems. In scripture, we are cautioned that troubles will come in this world, but we need not be alarmed because we can overcome them (John 16:33). We are advised to put on the whole armor of God to stand firm on the day of trouble (Ephesians 6:11-13). It is crucial to be vigilant and sober-minded (prayerful) because the devil seeks, like a roaring lion, for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Unfortunately, many believers are unprepared because of a lack of knowledge.
Scripture advises us to pray without ceasing, recognizing that our weapon is prayer—the spiritual sword (word of God), as affirmed in the words, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). These spiritual weapons, our prayer, prove highly effective in dismantling strongholds, which may manifest as hindrances, false beliefs, and spiritual barriers that obstruct one's relationship with God.
It's crucial to acknowledge that anything pertaining to prayer is inherently spiritual, and the challenges encountered in prayer are of a spiritual nature. The devil is aware that he is no match for God, being a creation of God himself. However, the devil often seizes an advantage through our ignorance. He initiates his tactics with lies, and the primary battleground is within the mind, where the battle unfolds. That's why Scripture warns us to "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). This verse advises us to guard and protect our hearts with great care because the condition of our hearts affects the course of our lives.
When problems arise, they often become distractions, causing many to either cease or slow down in pursuing what God has called them to do or seeking Him for their assignments. The devil's initial deception is to convince you that the battle is of a physical nature rather than a spiritual one. This prompts you to address it physically, erroneously thinking that your fight is against flesh rather than demons or spirits. Instead of taking the matter up in prayer, you end up contending with your fellow brothers or sisters. Even when you do pray, it may be amiss because you are praying against a person instead of discerning the spiritual forces at work behind them.
Now you can see how the devil ensnares you with the initial lie, which already puts you in violation of God’s word (unforgiveness, retaliation, resentment, disobedience, etc.). The next step is to make you doubt God’s word and cast condemnation upon you, convincing you that God will not hear your prayers or is not working—an outright lie! Another tactic the devil employs is to lead you into praying amiss. The remedy is simple: repent for both known and unknown sins, seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your prayers, ask Him to open your eyes to discern the spirits at play, and employ strategic prayer to address the situation. This is how you handle it spiritually, as affirmed in 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Prayer is effective for a believer who understands and exercises their authority in Christ Jesus.
Tap into the potency of prayer by embracing and actively using your authority in Christ Jesus. Make it a habit to delve into the Word regularly, as it is not only the source of knowledge but also your defense against the deceptive schemes of the devil. Understand that the devil is no match for the overwhelming power of God; his main strategy is to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy. With this truth in mind, refuse to be a victim—now that you're aware. Allow this awareness to strengthen your prayers and shield you from the adversary's schemes.
Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.
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