Fighting the Spiritual Battle

For those that have put their faith in Christ, there is a very real spiritual battle taking place. This is a battle with an unseen enemy that will do all He can to prevent us from going forward for God.  There will be seasons of life when the battle intensifies and we can be confident that these difficult seasons will also be times of great progress if we are victorious. The more we attempt for God the greater the opposition but the greater the potential for spiritual fruit. The Bible says it this way:
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

With this picture of the enemy in mind, we can find great comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Anytime we step out to follow God or lead others to follow God, we can expect great opposition.  But the spiritual battle against Satan can be won!

How can we fight and win the spiritual battle?

1. Avoid Isolation
The first thing that most of us want to do when going through a spiritual battle is to isolate ourselves from others.  If we can be isolated we can be defeated.  Run to others that can help in the fight.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2. Pray
We have a God that loves us and wants to meet our needs.  So often we lack power for the battle because we fail to go to the source of power.  Trust Him and lean on Him and He will give you strength.
1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3. Claim the Promises of God
God has never made a promise that He did not keep.  Find His promises in Scripture and claim them when the road ahead is uncertain.
Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

4. Confess your sin
If there is sin in your life you need to confess to God and forsake it.  Not only will sin keep us from hearing the voice of God, but it will give the enemy something to hang on to in the fight.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

5. Decide to resist
We often fail right here.  The attack comes and we surrender because we somehow believe there is no hope.  If we resist in the power of God, he will run.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

6. Avoid those things that put you in a position to compromise or fall prey to the attack
For some reason, this is easier said than done.  Stay away from things and people that cause you to stumble.  You are not strong enough.  You are not the exception.  Stay away.  This includes people who are not necessarily sinful but who cause you to be discouraged.
Proverbs 4:14 -15 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

7. Claim the victory
The great thing about being a Christian is that we can have confidence in the victory because it has already been won! Stop looking for the victory and start living in response to it.
1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

8. Do the right thing
Knowing what is right is good but doing what is right is better.  Do what you know is right whether you feel like it or not. When you feel the least like doing the right thing, that is when you need it the most.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

9. Get some rest
Both spiritual and physical fatigue have the potential to cloud our judgment. We are vulnerable when we are tired.  Sometimes the best thing that you can do is get alone with God and His Word and get a good night of sleep.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

10. Praise God for His goodness
God has been so good to us! When we begin to praise Him for His many blessings in our life we cannot help but be encouraged.
Psalm 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Jeremy M. Stalnecker – Executive Director, Mighty Oaks Foundation