Prepare for Spiritual Battles—Put on the Whole Armor!
We are facing greater spiritual battles today than ever before. There has been a release of demonic activity on earth during the past twelve months that is unseen in world history. And we are going to see an even greater release of demonic activity during coming months.
These are more than physical battles. This is spiritual warfare. What is happening in the Middle East and throughout the world is spiritual.
Closer to home, we are fighting a spiritual battle for the souls of family members and loved ones.
Believers must be prepared!
Identify the EnemyIt is imperative that we determine who the enemy really is and be spiritually prepared for battle. Preparation for spiritual warfare requires the application of spiritual principles revealed in the Word of God.
Never underestimate the capabilities of your adversary or the deceptiveness he will use in his attempt to defeat you: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Satan does not fight alone. Let’s quickly examine the five divisions of the enemy’s forces:
Spirits or demons—the Word of God says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.”
Principalities—from the Greek word arche; chief rulers of the highest rank.
Powers—from the Greek work exousia or authorities. These authorities preside over the chief rulers, executing their will.
Rulers of the darkness of this world—world rulers of darkness; natural men possessed demonic powers. This world (our cosmos) binds them to the natural and refers to governments or individuals in high authority in this world who are demon led or directed.
Spiritual wickedness in high places—wicked spirits in the heavens; fallen angels.
How do we prepare to engage in spiritual warfare against demons, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness?
Be Strong in the Lord We prepare for battle and deliverance, not only by identifying the enemy, but also by defining our strength. It’s important to know that strength needed to subdue and defeat the enemy of our souls is not found in the natural; it is found in the Lord. The Bible commands us as believers to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
The Greek implies the command to “be strengthened” in Christ’s might, as is promised to the believer: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Ephesians 1:19).
Strength in the Lord is obtained as you recognize who you are in Christ and acknowledge that He is the real source of your strength. Don’t attempt to fight demonic forces of hell alone, for the power to subdue and defeat the enemy does not rest in your strength; it comes from the Lord. Jesus declared, “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
Clothe Yourself with the Armor of GodA prepared soldier will not go into battle without the appropriate armor. The potential for victory in a battle hinges upon suitable armor and appropriate weaponry. A spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons. The Word of God instructs us clearly: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
The Word of God continues on this theme of armor-wearing by stating, “Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13). Subsequent scriptures describe essential armor and weaponry for the believer’s use in withstanding and defeating the enemy. It is interesting to note that the first five pieces of armor have a defensive purpose in battle, while the remaining two pieces are specifically used in offensive action.
Defensive armor provides protection for the vital organs of the soldier when facing the enemy in battle. From a spiritual perspective, the whole armor of God, applied and used properly, provides full protection and enables the believer to hold his ground against the enemy until victory comes.
Here is your armor for deliverance and spiritual warfare:
“Loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). Your loins deal with your mind. (“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,” 1 Peter 1:13.) Fill your mind with the Word. Reading and meditating on the Bible will protect you in your Christian walk.
“The breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). The breastplate covers the vital organs and speaks of the heart. The breastplate of righteousness fortifies the heart against the attacks of the enemy. Allow the righteousness revealed in God’s Word to influence your mind and penetrate deeply into your heart. When the truth of the Bible touches your life, it brings transformation and renewal (Romans 12:2).
“Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). The Word of God must affect your walk, your life. This happens as the Bible fills your mind, touches your heart, and is manifest or seen in your daily routine. It all begins with your mind. You begin to read the Word and hear the Word; it then influences and fills your heart with truth. This affects your actions and your daily life.
“The shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16). Faith brings powerful results, for when faith is joined with the results of the Word in your mind, heart, and life, the Word of God declares, “Ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Armed with the Word of God and faith, we can withstand the onslaught of the enemy and render his fiery darts ineffective.
“The helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). In the natural, the helmet protects the head from injury in battle. Some mistakenly believe that the helmet deals with the mind. However, the helmet of salvation deals with doctrine. Once the truth enters your mind, touches your heart, affects your life and walk, and is manifest in your actions, it becomes your nature. The helmet of salvation deals with your nature, your character, your doctrine; what you believe is who you are. Application of God’s Word makes you balanced and stable. When proper doctrine is in place in your life, you are not moved by error or taken by false teaching.
“The sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). All the armor up to this point has served a defensive purpose, intended for use in facing the enemy. Each piece of armor provided protection from an attack. And although the Bible is connected to each element of God’s armor, the sword of the Spirit is specifically the Word of God, for it is used as an offensive weapon against the enemy.The Scriptures protect you against the enemy, affecting your mind, your heart, your walk, your actions, your nature, character, and life. As your life becomes strong and established, the sword of the Spirit becomes an offensive weapon against the enemy. Unmovable, unshakable, and because of the truth within, you are able to stand victoriously against the evil one and his army. In three consecutive instances, Jesus Christ Himself used the Word of God as
He resisted Satan’s temptation, saying, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 6-7). Armed with the sword of the Spirit, you can take back the territory that belongs to you, including your family, your finances, and your health. God’s strength is sufficient for you, enabling you to do exploits and win every battle.
“Prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18). The final weapon is what keeps you—prayer that covers and clothes you like a mantle. The Bible declares, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
Seven pieces of armor—seven weapons of war!
As you prepare to battle against the forces of hell, the Living Word must be ever present in your mind. The Bible must be in your heart. The Word must be reflected in your walk. The Scripture must be in your faith and actions. The Word must be in your character. The Bible must be in your mouth, for the Word is the sword of the Spirit, which is the offensive weapon.
Demonology and DeliveranceThis is such a needed subject in today’s world, and I would like for you to receive the 3-CD teaching, Demonology and Deliverance.
God is doing something amazing and prophetic among believers, and I know that God has given me a special word to help equip believers for spiritual warfare and anointed ministry!
In this series, you will learn the seven steps into bondage:
Regression
Repression
Suppression
Depression
Oppression
Obsession
Possession
You will also receive the teaching on the twelve strongmen:
Spirit of Jealousy
Lying Spirit
Familiar Spirit
Perverse Spirit
Spirit of Whoredom
Spirit of Heaviness
Deaf and Mute Spirit
Spirit of Fear
Spirit of Bondage
Spirit of Antichrist
You will learn how to deal with these strongmen and how to minister deliverance to those around you.
This is vital and timely instruction to help you and your loved ones to live victoriously in a sin-stained world.
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