Keys to Spiritual Warfare

We are in a spiritual war and will be in spiritual war until Jesus comes back for the Church.  We are fighting for our own soul and for the souls of our family, friends, and Church.

How do we fight these spiritual battles?

Many would immediately respond “PRAY! and FAST! and quote Scripture.”  Yes, we pray.  And yes, we fast occasionally.  And yes, the Scriptures are a powerful tool against the devil.  Jesus used Scripture to combat the devil’s tactics when he came to Him in the wilderness, tempting Him. But there is more to spiritual warfare than those three things.

I will admit and confess, I am nothing in and of myself. I’m not perfected but daily I’m striving to be the vessel that God wants me to be.  I do not post this to brag or boast.  Merely sharing the hard lessons learned through prayer and God’s leading in hopes that it may help others who are engaged in spiritual warfare.  This is what I've learned....

1.     Stay in an attitude of repentance

Several years ago, God revealed that there were strongholds in the Church. I began to pray Psalm 144:1 asking, “Lord, teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight in the Spirit and prevail.” 

As I did, God began to deal with me to stay in an attitude of repentance. Sin in our lives gives the devil a foothold and leverage over us, hindering us from being able to take full authority.  

Therefore, I began to repent of anything and everything that came to mind, asking God to forgive me for any wrong attitudes, wrong spirits, wrong words, wrong actions, wrong thoughts, anger, gossip, backbiting, bitterness, rebellious thoughts/words/actions, etc.  

I repented of all I could think of, then I asked God to show me anything I needed to repent of that I had not thought about. Five years later, I’m still continuing to do the same.

 

2.   Stay submitted to God and spiritual authority

Many do not like to talk about the ‘S’ word.  It’s as if ‘submission’ is a cuss word to them.  It’s taboo to so many.  I’ve mentioned that word on occasion in Bible studies and am amazed at the resistance that arises.  It’s God’s Word, not man’s.

Let me share with you what God woke me up early one morning recently to reveal and show me….

James 4:7 instructs us…

(1)    SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God

(2)     RESIST the devil

(3)  <and we are promised> he will flee from you

Why is submit mentioned first?

Because it is the opposite of what the devil operates in which is rebellion.

SUBMIT to God and spiritual authority (as the Bible instructs)

RESIST the devil – resist rising up in rebellion

Pride and rebellion are the two spirits you will see battled the most in the Church and someone who is supposed to be a Born Again Christian, because those are the two things that caused the devil to get kicked out of heaven. 

Korah rose up in rebellion against Moses’ leadership.  He felt Moses wasn’t doing things right and his way was better. He felt Moses did not have the right to tell them what to do.  After all, he said, ‘the whole congregation is holy, every one of them and the Lord is among them.’ (Num 16:3) 

He spread that seed of rebellion into the hearts of others who gave their ear to listen and agree with what he said.  Until God’s wrath was kindled against them and many were killed by God because of that rebellious spirit. (Numbers 16)

(More on Korah's rebellion here: http://ministering4christ.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-spirit-of-korah.html?m=1)

Someone who has a spirit of rebellion will look for others to come into agreement with them. That spirit through the person it is operating through will throw out a seed of rebellion and look to see who is listening and will agree with them.  Then, when they find someone who agrees and makes them feel validity in what they’re saying, they will throw out another rebellious seed until it poisons the heart and spirit of the listener and they, too, become a vessel that spirit can operate through as well.  I’ve watched it happen.

Bad attitudes are contagious.  Be careful who and what you’re listening to.  Stay prayed up and full of the Holy Ghost.

I saw a young man get up and leave a room quickly when someone began talking rebelliously against their leadership.  He did the right thing and did not give ear to it because he didn’t want that to get in his spirit.

The Bible warns “Evil communication corrupt good manners.” (1 Cor 15:33)
meaning…any speech that is contrary to God’s Word and God’s character will cause you to wither spiritually (that’s what corrupt means here).  If you give an ear to ungodly conversations and come into agreement with it, it will corrupt and cause the good morals you have to begin to wilt, wither and eventually fade away.

Many want a title, a position, the authority, but they do not want to be under authority.  Many fight and resist submission. They’re resisting the wrong thing.

The Centurion, although he had authority with many soldiers under him who had to obey his command realized he had to remain under authority himself.  (Matthew 8:8-9)  He had to be submitted to those over him in the way he expected the soldiers under him to be in submission.  He had to be their example.

You want the devil to submit to the authority and power you have over him through the Holy Ghost? You must first be submitted to God and the spiritual authority God has placed over you.

If you want to see victories brought and win these spiritual wars, learn to:
Submit – resist – and examine your heart often

3.   Stay Humble

Pride and rebellion were the two things which caused the devil’s fall and is also what many will also battle. Stay in a spirit of humility. 

Facebook has been a sad contributor to pride and the strive to appear to be someone and something. 

Galatians 6:3 warns, “For is a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

So many are striving to be known and popular in whatever ministry they may have.    That is not the goal. The goal is to be used by God, even when no one else may know or see. 

The Disciples may have been battling a little bit of pride when they returned to Jesus excited and boasting that the spirits had to obey them. 

I’ve seen a few people who begin to be used more in the spiritual realm, used in the Gifts of the Spirit, and see things in the Spirit become a prideful.

I’ve heard young preachers boast that they’re going to stomp on the devil and take him out.  Yet, those same young preachers are no longer living for God, unfortunately.  Those words are a challenge to the devil and he, as a roaring lion, watches for their weak spot then pounces and pulls them into the darkness and binds them with chains of sin. 

A person who is used by God has to guard against pride.

Jesus’ response to the Disciples may not have been what they were expecting.  He told them, “rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Proverbs 16:18 warns “Pride cometh before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:10 instructs us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE shall lift you up.”

Guard your heart against pride.  Stay humble. 

4.   Stay FULL of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost will lead and guide you.  The Apostles were able to do mighty works because they were FULL of the Holy Ghost.

We need to be discerning. Discernment comes by being full of the HolyGhost.

Just because someone appears to operate in the Spirit does not mean they truly are.  We are admonished many times to TRY the spirits to see if they are of God. And we are warned many times to beware of false prophets and wolves in sheep’s clothing.

When you're FULL of the Holy ghost, the Holy Ghost will give a little check or glimpse that something is not right.

5.    Take spiritual authority over those unclean spirits

Many do not comprehend or understand the power and authority we have through the Holy Ghost, therefore, many do not walk in that power and authority.

Jesus revealed to His disciples that we shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon us. (Acts 1:8)

I am still learning from God about spiritual warfare.  In order to learn the hard lessons, you will be tested and taken through many things.

When you engage in spiritual warfare, the devil will go harder after you, after your family, those you thought were your friends, and after the Church because his purpose is to get you to back down, give up and retreat so that spirit or stronghold will not be broken.  You can NOT give up!  If you do, it will only grow stronger and pull more people into its grip.

Many battles take a combination of prayer and fasting….and always remember to stay submitted and repented.

Strongholds do not break right away.  Every authoritative prayer is chipping away at that fortified wall so don’t give up.

***When a stronghold is finally broken, that does not mean the battle is over.  That spirit will try to return again, often through the ones you would expect it in the least. 

Pray for discerning of spirits. Sometimes God shows me a person’s spirit.  Sometimes it’s revealed through words and actions. 

I have often had to pray the same authoritative prayer over and over and over against these foul spirits until they finally leave.  I pray it quietly, no one else hears except God and those unclean spirits. The prayers do not have to be loud or demonstrative prayer.

I take authority and dominion over every unclean foul spirit (I name them when I know what they are), binding and rebuking them.  I plead the blood against them.  I pray a hedge, a wall of fire against them.  I command them to go.  I do not permit them to be anywhere near the Church,  the people, nor us or our families or homes.  I command them to be silent. They’re not permitted to sow discord, division, rebellion, or any such like. I command them to go in Jesus’ name!

I’ve watched as they became more vocal through the person they were residing in, looking for someone to agree with them (the most common is the spirit of rebellion). I keep praying and remain kind. I’ve watched and prayed with heartache and heartbreak as their poisonous words begin to infect those who would give ear to their words…those who had grown lukewarm in their walk with God, they were missing Church more and more and were not praying as often as they used to. They did not stay FULL of the Holy Ghost. And so they fell prey to that spirit because they gave ear to it. Still, I keep praying and remain kind for their soul’s sake until that spirit leaves.  Unfortunately, that usually means that person/persons will leave because they do not want to let go of that spirit all the while excusing and justifying their behavior.

One person who was so bound by that spirit of rebellion left the Church, blocked us, and then posted against us saying that we told them they could never come back to the Church again.  We never once said that to that person, however, I did say that to that spirit while in spiritual warfare. No one else heard but that spirit.  It revealed itself.

There is a difference between a stronghold and someone having a spirit of rebellion or an unclean spirit. 

You can tell if there is a stronghold if several people within a Church battle and succumb to that same sin...example: there were several people within a church who kept falling into the sin of lust and adultery.  Couple after couple after couple, family after family after  family torn apart.  Young men were battling perverse sexual sins. This was warning that there was a stronghold that needed to be broken.  

Then there are individuals who may be battling a spirit. It may just be they're battling somethings.  Or it may be a stronghold in them but not within the Church...yet. However, if left undetected or alone for a while, that spirit will spread, looking for those will give ear so it can inject its hook into souls who are not prayed up.  Eventually, if it spreads, it will become a stronghold.  

Those toying with or bound by these spirits will sincerely believe they are the innocent victim and the Pastor or others, especially those in authority positions over them are the villain.  They will try to make you and others think you are being mean and harsh. They will try to gather sympathy and gain people on their side.  Remain kind (Jesus did with Judas) but remain on guard in the Spirit.  

Pray for discernment.  

Pray for wisdom,  guidance,  and direction in the Holy Ghost.  

Pray for God to teach you how to prevail spiritual warfare.  

Examine your heart and repent of all sins. 

Guard your heart, mind, and ears.  Don't allow rebellious talk or roots of bitterness to get into your spirit. 

Watch how you talk and what you say.  We have to give account for every idle word. 

Stay humble.  

Stay submissive to God and godly authority. 

Stay full of the Holy Ghost so you can walk in the power and authority God has given us.