Questions:
Do you know your Creator? (Dan 11:32).
Do you know yourself? (2 Tim 2:3-4).
Do you know God's desire for your life? (Eph 6:10).
God knows who He is if man cannot correctly identity Him. He stated His identity in Genesis 17:1 as the Almighty and mighty Man in battle in Psalm 24:8. As matter of fact, different people have given names to God based on the mighty works He performed in their lives.
Spiritual aliens are ignorant having darkened understanding because of the blindness of their heart (Eph 4:18) and as such can be likened to six blind men who encountered an elephant for the first time; whereby each man felt a different part of the elephant body: flank, tusk, tail, trunk, ear and leg. The six men described how an elephant looked like: muddy wall, spear, rope, snake, a fan and palm tree respectively. Although all of the blind men were partially right, they were all ultimately wrong and so are many so called children of God.
For instance, Abraham called Him Jehovah-jireh (Provider) (Gen 17:1), Moses referred to Him as Jehovah-nissi (Banner) (Exo 17:15), Gideon as Jehovah-shalom (Peace) (Judg 6:24), to mention a few.
In the mightiness of God He created all creatures (Gen 1) and made man administrator of the whole estate of God (Gen 1:28-30). The administrator disappointed his Boss (God) and was evicted from the estate to strive for his survival (Gen 3:23-24).
Unfortunately, man eventually found himself on a battlefield where an adversary (Satan/devil) was previously cast (Eze 28:17). Man may not be aware of this, as the devil (enemy) loves that man is ignorant of it (2 Cor 2:11).
As a believer who is living like salt and light (Matth 5:13-14) in a dark world (1 John 5:19), it won't be long before encountering obstacles and attacks while enemy challenges fulfillment of destiny. The world lies in the midst of darkness (1 John 5:19) and so a battle was declared between light and darkness (John 1:6-9; Matth 11:12). It pleases the Almighty to see His children resist the enemy (Jam 4:7b).
Rather we are entrenched in the mundane affairs of this world which qualifies us as enemies of the Almighty (Jam 4:4); the reason not much victory is recorded for us (Jam 4:1-3).
We are not better than our forefathers who lived in the Old Testament; they lacked knowledge of spiritual battles (Isa 5:13; Hos 4:6). The forces of darkness dont wait for us to be ready for their attack. Theyre ruthless, determined, and cunning (Eph 4:14; 1 Pet 5:8).
Satan is very mean and so keeps records of events from generation to generation as basis of his actions (Col 2:14-15), which account for foundational battles (mountain) (Psm 11:3). Foundational battles are said to be mountains when they live and grow with the victims all days of their lives (Matth 17:20) and these possible by thorough supervision of records of events from generation to generation.
However, we are not to give the devil much attention or focus too much on his evil ways but making ourselves more attentive to what are God's requirements; remembering to stand firm and let Him fight our fiercest battles (1 Sam 17:45-46).
There is power through His Spirit, His word, and in prayer; and we can be confident that He is always with us, leading our way and covering us from behind. Spiritual battles are really His and He only can conquer (Rom 8:37).
Classes of Battles
Battles of life is not essentially against flesh and blood as many may think but should be directed to spiritual entities (Eph 6:12). Spiritual battles are in different classes:
1) Inspirations of blankness, hopelessness and fear:
Many may be facing fear, depression and mood disorders, or mental illness. The enemy has a kick-starting agenda of making his prey fall into snare. He attacks the minds of his target and blocks projection into future and leaves man no option than fear and hopelessness.
Elijah suffered from this kind of attack when Jezebel sent life-threatening message but angels of God came to his rescue (1 Kings 19:1-8). The enemy has no lasting power over you and God will hold you strong for the road still ahead (2 Tim 1:7).
2) Sudden and spontaneous launch of various attacks and losses:
Job experienced this type of spontaneous attacks from devil (Job 1:6-22). He suffered losses of valuable and live possessions.
God will allow Satan to take all, your life is preserved for restoration (1 Cor 10:13).
3) Attacks on life, physical danger and illness:
The enemy's missions are spelt out in the scripture steal, kill, and destroy our lives and all we love (John 10:10a).
Same Job suffered ill-health (Job 2:4-13). If youre facing attacks, and feel your life has been threatened, our God is a miracle worker.
4) Raised temptation and luring towards wrong choices:
The enemy loves disunity among Christians and wants nothing more than to break up families and every relationship we hold dear. Divorce which God forbids (Mar 10:1-9) has become norm in Christianity today whereby supposed custodians of faith in Christ Jesus have become major perpetrators of such a doctrine of devils (1 Tim 4:1). Little shake-ups in marriages have caused much damages than mouth can speak.
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness but did not take wrong decision (Matth 4:1-11 ). All the enemy wants is one wrong move and he records at once.
5) Anxiety, confusion, condemnation and dulled spiritual awareness:
This is another weapon of the enemy which can be so subtle and can eventually lead to dulled spiritual mindset, over a period of time (Matth 24:12; Luk 18:8). God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Cor 14:33) and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). Enemy uses past events to initiate this kind of attack.
What to do
Almighty God has plan for the embattled: He wants all to come to Him (Matth 11:28) and cast all battle upon Him (1 Pet 5:7).
1) Confession of sins (1 Joh 1:7-9) and repentance (Mar 1:15): sins are strongholds for enemies in our lives (Isa 59:1-2).
2) Be renewed in spirit and get regenerated: water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism are important for our new being. The spirit in us should be renewed and this can happen by asking the owner (Luk 11:13). Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives power to resist the enemy (Acts 1:8; Rom 8:26).
3) Let the Word dwell richly in you (Col 3:16): The Almighty arms us with the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), the Word of God, to stand against the enemys lies and to build our faith (Rom 10:17). Praying Gods words back to Him, is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil (Heb 4:12; 2 Tim 3:16). The carries power (1 Cor 1:18) and it effective when it dwells richly in you.
4) Put on the whole Armour of God (Eph 6:11): God reminds us not to go on to the battlefield without being prepared and equipped for battle (Eph 6:13). Each weapon has a specific purpose and is designed for our protection and covering (2 Cor 10:4). Just as a soldier would not go to battle unprepared, we also should be fully ready (1 Pet 5:8) for the attacks we will face (Eph 6:11-17).
5) The use of Prayer, praises and fasting: The Almighty desires that we spend time in His presence, pressing in to know Him more through His word (Eph 6:18). He tells us to pray without ceasing (Luk 18:1).
Praises bring you into the presence of the Almighty (Exo 15:11; Psm 22:3) and fasting humbles your spirit hence strengthening your prayers (Mar 9:29). Jehoshaphat, the king, got complete victory over his enemies by implementing these three altogether (2 Chro 20:22-24).
6) Obedience to Christ Jesus: The Almighty wants us be obedient to His word (John 15:10-15) failure make you a witch and makes heaven declare you an idolater (1 Sam 15:23). But it will never happen naturally. The flesh, desires and sinful nature cause disobedience (Gal 5:17).
Submit to Gods authority to have victory (Jam 4:7) and never listen to contrary thoughts of the enemy (2 Cor 10:5).
7) The blood of Christ and the word of our testimony: We are overcomers in this life because He has overcome (Joh 16:33). And our lives are hidden in Christ with God (Col 3:3). We have been bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20), we are not our own, but covered by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. We live victorious and no demon or darkness can ever separate us from the love of God which is in Christ our Lord (Rom 8:35-39).
There is Power in the Name of Jesus (Phil 2:9-11) and His blood (Rev 12:11). The battle belongs to the Lord and in Him alone we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37).
