Spiritual warfare is not physical warfare. The obvious truth is not known to many, hence I had to make this statement. I felt so relieved after making this statement, which should be obvious to many. This warfare is not fought with guns and bombs, nor with missile-carrying smart drones, nor with fighter or bomber aircraft.
Spiritual warfare does not require physical strength or expensive weaponry.
Spiritual warfare requires a totally different approach.
It is only fought with a heart surrendered to the Spirit of God.
When you believe the truth in the Gospel and you ignore the media and circumstances, you are fighting a spiritual battle.
Why do we say we are fighting spiritual warfare from success and victory? As Jesus died on the cross, was buried and resurrected, all that was required for our victory was already accomplished by Jesus. We are only required to call upon Jesus Christ and be willing to accept Him as our Lord and saviour.So it’s a fight for a guaranteed success. The finished work of the cross is very significant and precious to remember.
When you read the Bible aloud, you are using a spiritual weapon.
When you declare the promises you have from the Bible, you are using a spiritual weapon.
Prayers are great weapons of spiritual battle.
Quick obedience to the word of God when you get instruction from the spirit of God, advances the kingdom of God. Delayed obedience amounts to disobedience. I am guilty to this so often. But I can say I am better today than last year. A long, long way to go.
When you overcome evil with good, you are engaged in a spiritual battle.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. ( Romans 12:21 KJV)
Do not return harm to the one who has harmed you. When you let God take vengeance, you are waging a spiritual battle. We are expected to feed our hungry enemy and give a drink to a thirsty enemy.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.(Romans 12:19,20 KJV)
Romans 12:9 reminds us that our love should be genuine from the heart, without any hypocrisy. When you do so, you are using a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare – Love. Here are two versions of the verses. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (version: KJV). Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (version: NKJV).
Showing forth brotherly love is a spiritual weapon.
Giving preference and honoring another is a spiritual weapon.
Being diligent and fervent in spirit in serving the Lord is a weapon.
Rejoicing in hope, being patient during trials, and praying steadfastly are weapons.
Giving to the needs of the saints. And hospitality to them is a weapon. Here are verses. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:10-13 version: NKJV).
On any occasion, any situation, any thought or behaviour we choose not to confirm to the world and strive for the acceptable will of God, we are doing spiritual warfare. Romans 12:2 has this verse. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:10-13 version: KJV).
When we share a testimony, we are in spiritual warfare.
When we hear a testimony and keep remembering it, we are in a spiritual battle.
When we make declarations based on the word of God, we are using a spiritual weapon.
When we are thankful to God, when we praise God, when we write down these things, when we share about God’s goodness, we are actively involved in spiritual warfare.
When we sing and praise God, we are using weapons of spiritual warfare.
When we worship God, we are in spiritual warfare.
Following verses from Roman 12 are also great ways to fight spiritual warfare.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:14-18 version: KJV).
Repentance is spiritual warfare. These verses provide a good understanding for preparing your mind through the process of repentance. Joel 2:12 & 13 12 Therefore, also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
When we do not get limited by the default world emotions, we wage a spiritual battle with the fruits of the spirit. The same goes with all the facets of the fruit of the spirit. When we are able to subdue our flesh and choose to obey the fruit of the Spirit, we are in spiritual battle. A difficult choice, but certainly possible, as we remember that Jesus Christ has already modelled this life for us. As we strive for this, we also realise the superior victories we can win as we live life in obedience by choosing these superior weapons of spiritual warfare against which there are no laws. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ( Galatians 5:22, NKJV)
King Jehoshaphat and his people were asked not to fear, but to hope in God. The Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites were determined to go to war against Jehoshaphat. God told them that the battle was God’s not theirs. Thus, with hope in God they fought the battle. They choose not to fear the enemy. They stood firm, trusting and hoping in God. They were asked to trust Gods presence with them. So believing God is with you is Spiritual battle. On the battlefield, Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah praised God with very loud voices. The verses from 2 Chronicles, 20:15-19 are given below. And King Jehoshaphat and his people experienced a huge victory without fighting the battle. This is a beautiful testimony to keep in mind of a spiritual battle.
15 Jahaziel said, “King Jehoshaphat, listen! All you who live in Judah and Jerusalem, listen! The Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you. Judah and Jerusalem, do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. Go out and face them tomorrow. The Lord will be with you.’ ”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem also bowed down. They worshiped the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the families of Kohath and Korah stood up. They praised the Lord, the God of Israel. They praised him with very loud voices. ( verse 2 Chronicles 20:15-19, version NKJV)
All through the Bible, you can see innumerable instances of spiritual battles. May your spiritual eyes be opened to discern them. Happy Fighting. Remember, you are fighting from a place of victory.
