The subject of spiritual warfare is one I wish I knew less of and more about. For far too many times in my life I have had days on which I was locked in fierce battle with evil powers and just as often I have felt as though I needed much more light on the subject. Make no mistake there are many good books along these lines and I have read my share. Yet the very nature of spiritual warfare is such that it is more unique in nature than it is general. Yes, it is always Satan who commences or fuels the attack but the onslaught is always tailor made for each individual target thereof. Let me at this point be very clear that I do not hold myself out as an expert but, rather a student, a very serious one on this subject. I have learned a few principles that I trust will serve anyone who reads this prayer breathed effort that I here humbly submit.
The first point I would make is be ready. Readiness is important because every Christian will regularly encounter Satan. Usually the encounter will be indirect, he will use demons and men to vex and hinder the saints any way he can. This is his timeless pattern. Occasionally some of us will be privileged to encounter and defeat him directly. However the average Christian will thankfully never encounter Satan personally. The issue is to be prepared to successfully overcome evil no matter how dramatic or subtle the encounter may be. That said let me set forth what I believe to be the five basic ways to overcome evil. Number one, be a worshipper. In ways no tongue can tell Satan is hurt, hindered, repelled and defeated by worship. Amazingly though it seems to me few Christians ever become expert or even good worshippers. Most of us worship once or twice a week for an hour or two in a church building if we do that. For in actuality many churches meet weekly but never really worship. Herein lies the reason for so much spiritual weakness, failure and defeat in the body of Christ. I would submit to you that worship is the most important activity one can ever engage in, in life period.
Secondly, prayer is more necessary than most people ever realize. Especially intercession and praying in tongues. Prayer is the point at which we touch God. From praying, Bible reading and other spiritual activities of devotion we become eligible for God's wisdom. In our devotions, that is our prayers, our Bible times, times with God alone, we receive the ability to overcome Satan. God gets "on" us and this automatically serves as repellent to the evil one. Thirdly, we must add fasting to our prayers. In Matthew 17:21, Jesus makes an incredible statement. When you look at that text, you can see why Satan never moves from the lives of many Saints. Fasting is an under used key and because it is under used many never take victory over the powers of darkness. (See also Matthew 6) So we have been saying three things thus far, to be strong in God and overcome evil we need to worship, we need to pray and we need to fast. Additional spiritual disciplines that help the Christian stay strong and battle the devil successfully are holiness, that is clean living, old-fashioned godly living, separating oneself from the world's methods and entertainments and resting in God, that is worry free living. Holiness is taught in the scriptures in many places. One of my favorite places is 2 Corinthians 6 through 7:1, it talks about how important it is to set oneself aside and live for God. Now consider the last tool for this article which is just as important as all the above namely times of rest and refreshing. The Bible teaches resting in the Lord, Hebrews 4. The Bible also teaches seasons of separation from one's regular routine. The Bible shows Jesus and His disciples setting themselves aside at periodic intervals. From these seasons of rest, reflection, introspection, and worship there will come insights that can be gained no other way, you will gain secret knowledge as in Daniel 2 (See also Isaiah 30:15). These help the believer to stay strong over evil.
I pray that this brief submission on spiritual warfare will help you to take the ground from the devil that he has held in your life too long or to keep what is yours in Jesus.
