Spiritual Warfare: Standing Firm in the Battle

Standing Firm in the Battle

Greetings

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet you in the mighty name of Jesus! Today, I felt a stirring in my spirit since being asked to share the message some weeks back to talk about something that is vital for us to understand to endure until the end– Spiritual Warfare

Opening Prayer:

Let us pray

"Abba Father, we come before You with humble and grateful hearts, recognizing the incredible privilege of being Your children, called to stand firm in the midst of the spiritual warfare that rages all around us. We thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose victory on the cross has secured our triumph over the enemy. Holy Spirit, we invite You to ignite a fresh fire within us, empowering us to boldly face the battles we encounter, knowing that Your strength is perfected in our weakness.

As we delve deeper into the realities of spiritual warfare, may our eyes be opened to the unseen realms, and may our faith be strengthened to withstand the attacks of the evil one. Lord, we surrender ourselves completely to You, trusting that You will equip us with the full armour of God, that we may stand our ground and emerge victorious. Fill us with Your wisdom, discernment, and unwavering courage, that we may walk in the authority You have bestowed upon us as Your beloved children.

We praise You, Lord, for You are mighty, and Your name is a strong tower, where we find our refuge and our strength. May this time of study and reflection ignite a fresh passion within us to engage in the spiritual battle, confident in the power of Your Holy Spirit working mightily within us. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, we pray. Amen."

Before we unfold in the Spirit

I need to note something important

Spiritual warfare is a vast and multifaceted ministry, encompassing areas such as:

1. - Spiritual Discernment: Assess the spiritual atmosphere and identify any areas of concern or strongholds

2. - Spiritual Mapping: Understand the spiritual dynamics of a location or situation, identifying generational curses and strongholds.

3. - Intercession: Pray on behalf of others, standing in the gap for those in need of spiritual support.

4. - Prayer: Engage in focused prayer, lifting up specific needs and areas of spiritual warfare.

5. - The Blood of Christ: Claim the power of Jesus' sacrifice for protection and cleansing from sin.

6. - The Holy Spirit: Invite the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and provide insight during the spiritual warfare process.

7. - The Full Armour of God: Put on the armour (Ephesians 6:10-18) to protect yourself spiritually.

8. - Spiritual Authority and Dominion: Recognize and exercise the authority given to believers over spiritual forces.

9. - Deliverance: Seek freedom from any demonic influence or oppression through prayer and ministry.

10. - Healing: Pray for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, believing in God's power to restore.

11. - Prophetic Warfare: Engage in declaring God’s promises and truths prophetically to counter spiritual attacks.

12. - Generational Curses and Cleansing: Address and break generational curses through prayer and confession, seeking cleansing and healing.

13. - Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in fasting, worship, and meditation to strengthen your spirit, ignite the fire, shift levels and deepen your relationship with God.

Spiritual Warfare is a course that would require weeks, if not months, to cover thoroughly, as there are many intricate aspects to this spiritual battle.

However, today I want us to focus on introducing the key points and to equip you with a solid foundation to understand and engage in spiritual warfare. But always Remember, the victory is already ours in Christ, and as you continue to grow in your faith, you will be empowered to navigate these unseen realms with wisdom, discernment, and unwavering trust in the almighty power of Jesus .

The reality of spiritual warfare. This is a topic that may not be discussed often, but it is a significant part of our Christian life, especially as we find ourselves in the last days. ( Infact I had a pastor who shared a pearl of wisdom and said if your walking in the way of this world or as the world the devil generally leaves you at peace, but when you being to walk in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit you become a threat.) You see, the enemy is relentless in his pursuit to steal, kill, and destroy, and he is skilled at sowing fear and confusion. But take heart, for we serve a God who is greater, a God who has already secured the victory!

Amen

So what is this thing Spiritual warfare?

Spiritual warfare is the unseen battle raging between the forces of light and darkness, between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Ephesians 6:12 puts it plainly: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This battle is very real, and each of us has experienced it in our own lives, whether we recognize it or not.

[ To recognise these battles, we need to be spiritually vigilant and aware of how the enemy tries to influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Staying grounded in prayer and scripture helps us discern spiritual attacks and respond effectively.]

2. The Armor of God:

My dear friends, the Lord has not left us without a battle plan. In Ephesians 6, He gives us a clear roadmap for how to prepare for the spiritual warfare we face. He instructs us to "put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).

Imagine putting on this divine armour – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace as your shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

*****Can you picture yourself, a mighty warrior for the Lord, dressed in these spiritual garments and ready to face the enemy head-on? ******

 [As we visualize ourselves clothed in this armour, we are reminded of the resources we have in Christ. Daily prayer to put on each piece of armour helps us stay prepared and protected against the enemy's attacks.]

3. Recognizing the Battlefield:

Now, let's take a closer look at how this spiritual warfare plays out in our everyday lives, my brothers and sisters. The enemy is crafty, and he attacks us in various ways, both in the seen and unseen realms.

One of the most common ways he tries to trip us up is through temptations. Just like our ancestors in the faith, we are often lured away from God's path by the allure of worldly pleasures and desires. James 1:14-15 warns us, "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." [To resist temptation, we can stay grounded in God's word and rely on the Holy Spirit for strength. When we face temptations, let's remind ourselves of God's promises and seek His guidance in prayer.]

The enemy also loves to attack our faith, sowing seeds of doubt and fear in our hearts. 1 Peter 5:8-9 reminds us to "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." [To stand firm in faith, we need to immerse ourselves in scripture and hold onto God's promises. Surrounding ourselves with faith-filled believers who can offer support and encouragement is crucial.]

4. Understanding Dominions:

Beloved, the battlefield we face extends far beyond the physical realm, into the unseen spiritual realms. Ephesians 6:12 reveals the hierarchy of these spiritual dominions, where Satan and his demonic forces exercise their influence.

Satan, once a beautiful and powerful angel, allowed pride to consume him, leading to his rebellion against the Almighty God. In his arrogance, Satan sought to exalt himself above the Lord, only to be cast down from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15). With him, he dragged a third of the angels, who now serve as his minions, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (Revelation 12:4, 9).

But take heart, my friends, for while Satan and his forces have been granted a certain level of authority and influence in this world, their dominion is limited and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of our Heavenly Father. They can only operate within the boundaries set by our God, and their ultimate defeat is assured through the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross (Colossians 2:15).

Glory Hallelujah, right?

[As we navigate these unseen realms, let us rely on the spiritual armour and authority that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us. For we are not left defenceless, but empowered by the might and majesty of our God, who has given us the authority to trample on the enemy and overcome all his power (Luke 10:19).]

5. The Power of the Blood of Jesus:

Furthermore, my dear brothers and sisters, the blood of Jesus is a crucial aspect of our victory in this spiritual warfare. Revelation 12:11 declares, "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin, protects us, and gives us authority over the enemy. When we plead the blood of Jesus, we are invoking His sacrifice and the power of His victory.

Amen?

[THEN, Applying the powerful, precious, highly Sought, blood of our Saviour involves recognizing its significance in our lives Since it was spilled to pay our ransom and declaring its protection over us. In moments of spiritual attacks, we can confidently plead the blood of Jesus, knowing that it covers us and provides victory over the enemy, I can testify to this personally.  Jesus the perfect Sacrifice to a deep gratitude and thankfulness  .

6. The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our indispensable ally in the spiritual battle. He is our Bondage Breaker, Comforter, Helper, and Teacher, empowering us to overcome the schemes of the enemy.

· The Holy Spirit as our Bondage Breaker:

has the power to set us free from any bondage, oppression, or demonic influence. He breaks the chains that bind us and liberates us to walk in the fullness of God's plan for our lives (2 Corinthians 3:17).

· The Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Helper:

When we face spiritual attacks, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to provide comfort, strength, and supernatural aid. He intercedes for us, giving us the words to speak and the wisdom to navigate treacherous situations (Romans 8:26-27).

· The Holy Spirit as our Teacher:

The Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of God's Word, granting us discernment and insight to recognize the enemy's tactics. He guides us into all truth, empowering us to stand firm against the lies and deceptions of the devil (John 16:13).

· The Holy Spirit Confusing the Enemy:

Actively confuses and disrupts the plans of the enemy. He sows chaos and uncertainty in the ranks of the spiritual forces of darkness, rendering them ineffective against the advancing Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:12-14).

and As we surrender ourselves to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, we gain access to the full arsenal of spiritual weapons needed to triumph in this ongoing battle. The Holy Spirit is our constant Companion, Advocate, and Empowerer, equipping us to be victorious warriors for the Lord.

7. Our Identity and Authority in Christ

· We are children of the Most High God, chosen, redeemed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:9, John 14:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21, Romans 8:37)

· Our identity in Christ is the foundation upon which we stand firm in spiritual warfare. When we truly understand who we are in Him, it transforms the way we approach the battle.

· As God's beloved children, we have been adopted into His royal family, given the rights and privileges of being heirs to His kingdom (Romans 8:15-17). This means we have access to the full authority and resources of our Heavenly Father.

· Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been made new creations, no longer defined by our past or the enemy's accusations (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are righteous, holy, and blameless in God’s sight.

· The Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us with supernatural strength, wisdom, and discernment to overcome the schemes of the devil (1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Timothy 1:7).

· We are resurrected with the same Spirit that resurrected Christ (Romans 8:11), granting us the power to overcome the enemy.

· We must stand firm in this identity, declaring the victory that is already ours in Christ Jesus. The enemy has no valid claim over us, for we belong to the Lord Most High.

- When we operate from this place of identity and authority, we can wield the spiritual weapons that God has provided with confidence and boldness, knowing that the battle has already been won.

Amen?

8. How Warriors in Christ Battle

- We engage in spiritual warfare primarily on our knees, crying out to God in prayer and fasting when situations are resistant and the enemy is stubborn

- We yield ourselves completely to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to intercede for us and strengthen us with His divine power (Romans 8:26-27)

- We worship, praise, and proclaim the name of Jesus, decreeing and declaring His victory over every dark scheme of the enemy

- We boldly bind the enemy's schemes, loose the power of God, and cast out any demonic influences that seek to hinder or oppress us (Matthew 16:19, Mark 16:17)

- Through these spiritual disciplines, we access the full authority and resources that are ours in Christ, emerging as victorious warriors in the battle

Announcement:

· Spiritual Warfare: Key point notes to take home

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· Who I am in Christ -

in any battle you need to know dominion and you will need to know your authority and position so you won’t be shaken, but that you will shake the very foundations of their dominion, you will decree, declare and proclaim with authority, you will bind and loose with authority, you will stand on the firm foundation of-the Word, Jesus Christ

· If you are interested in going deeper to learn to battle in your own family and life or are being lead to this ministry please reach out to pastor Herald or Juliette to organise a study either in person or via Zoom.

Let us close in Prayer:

"Gracious Heavenly Father, we are in awe of Your majesty and the incredible plan You have set in motion for our lives. Thank You for equipping us with the spiritual armour and the authority of Christ to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. We are humbled by the privilege of being Your children, chosen and redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.

As we leave this place, may the truths we have discovered about spiritual warfare be deeply etched into our hearts and minds. May we walk in the victory that is already ours, boldly declaring Your promises and commanding the enemy to flee. Fill us, Lord, with an unwavering faith that cannot be shaken, a love that cannot be quenched, and a determination that cannot be broken.

Holy Spirit, we invite You to continue to guide us, strengthen us, and empower us to be mighty warriors in Your kingdom. May our lives be a testament to Your glory, a shining light in the darkness, and a bold proclamation of the triumph of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We give You all the praise, honour, and glory, now and forevermore our Wondrous King. Amen."