STANDING STRONG IN BATTLE
ISAIAH 42:13 “THE LORD WILL GO FORTH LIKE A WARRIOR”
SPIRITUAL WARFARE WAKE-UP CALL
When I was praying about what direction to go in, theme wise, for this edition, the resounding direction became clear-- Spiritual Warfare While not a ‘hot topic’ many Christian circles focus on, yet to me, it’s a missing link of study and focus that I believe, we as Christians should be well versed in. Why? Because Paul said it so clearly in Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
That is our reality. What we run into every single day without even realizing it
I love what our featured writer in this edition, Christine Wyrtzen wrote in a Facebook post recently, “There’s an argument that goes like this ‘To give the devil any thought at all is to give him glory that only belongs to God ’ When those in military warfare give study the enemy they are fighting, are they exalting them in the process? Or is this just part of the strategy to achieve victory? The Apostle Paul said, “We will not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant to his designs.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 To ignore is to remain ignorant. To be ignorant, according to Paul, is to be outwitted.”
I couldn’t have said that more brilliantly than she did. For that very reason, that is why we cannot keep this hidden under a bushel any longer To remain ignorant about the spiritual battles we face daily means we WILL be outwitted by Satan himself
So, then, what do we do now?
We start talking about it We start strategizing Planning Studying Fasting, Praying Revealing the enemies ways of destruction. Realizing that his strategy never changes. It’s the same every single time. Just take a look back at some of the battles you ’ ve faced and you will begin recognize he doesn’t change.
And my friend, he doesn't want you to catch on to that. He prefers we stay oblivious to the fact that he’s been haunting generation after generation, plantings seeds of shame, guilt, incompetence, feelings of not being good enough, unqualified, unusable, and inadequate Dive into Gideon’s narrative in Judges 6, and you’ll see the turmoil he experienced when God labeled him a “Mighty Hero ” That wasn’t how Gideon saw himself Why? Because he allowed the Midianite army, his adversary, to influence his thoughts with taunts and defeat, creating a battleground in his mind And unfortunately, they were winning.
Sound familiar? Believe me, I’ve been there too many times myself. But today, we ’ re putting the enemy on notice --the one who aims to kill, steal, and destroy doesn’t have the last word anymore. Are you with me?
I’m geared up to tackle this fight for my life, my family, prodigal sons, the church, our communities, the nation, and the world A line is drawn in the sand Enough is enough
While this battle isn’t a walk in the park, here’s the beautiful reminder from scripture --we ’ re not fighting on our own; it belongs to the Lord
David wrote this promise in Psalm 18:3040; “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises are true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” v. 39-40 “You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet. You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me.”
Read that again This is THE method for combat, fueled by the power of God, giving us the capability to handle a bronze bow! If you ’ ve never tried drawing a bow, understand that it’s no simple task. It demands physical strength, unwavering stability, focus, and a steady hand. A slight misstep, and the bow recoils harshly. But yet, when you bring God into the mix, EVERYTHING CHANGES!
STUDY BREAKDOWN
This study reveals that when it comes to fighting battles, God never uses typical weapons we might expect He chooses unconventional and unexpected methods which consistently throw off the enemy.
Satan is predictable. God is not.
For additional insights, consider reading Francis Frangipane’s “This Day We Fight” and Rick Renner’s “Dressed to Kill.” These books dig into the unique strategies of learning how to fight the spiritual warfare battle.
For the full 4-part study on Standing Strong in Battle, head over to my Heart Talk Podcast starting February but to get us started on conquering our giants and learning to truly overcome let’s begin with what I believe are some of the most important things we need to learn:
1 Using Faith in Your Battle: In spiritual battles, faith is a potent weapon, unliked traditional warfare.
See Yourself as God Sees You: Understanding God’s view of you; it’s crucial for the fight
2 The Fight against a Passive Spirit: Staying active and resisting a passive spirit to remain spiritually strong.
3. Being Mindful of Your Words: Your spoken words matter in spiritual warfare, so choose them wisely.
4. ARE YOU READY TO DIVE IN? HERE WE GO!
Isaiah 42:13
The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war He will utter a shout, He will raise a war cry He will prevail against His enemies
THE CALL TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Today, we stand at the threshold of a divine assignment; a call from our Heavenly Father to step into the battlefield of spiritual warfare This mission demands that we clothe ourselves with a specific outfit and shoes, not for comfort, but for the journey into the uncharted territories of the enemy ’ s domain.
Our purpose is clear: to wage war against the forces of darkness, armed with God’s truth, all for the advancement of His glorious Kingdom
Much of it unfolds away from the spotlight, in the hiddem realms of prayer, intercession, fasting, and steadfast faith. It is an undertaking that many may not witness, but it is one of paramount importance
We are called to march boldly to the forefront of the spiritual battlefield, fighting not for personal glory but for the well-being of our families, the salvation of our children, the strength of our church, the revival of our nation, and the redemption of our world.
If you are willing to embark on this sacred mission, I invite you to say ‘ yes ’ to this assignment, not merely in spoken work, but as a solemn commitment between you and the Lord.
Together, we will delve into the life-changing Word of God, gleaning wisdom and insight, so that we may emerge as warrior women of God, equipped and anointed to fight for the expansion of God’s Kingdom
May the Spirit of the Lord guide us on this extraordinary journey of spiritual warfare, and may our hearts be steadfast in the knowledge that with God on our side, victory is guaranteed.
TO FIGHT
WE NEED TO LEARN TO SEE OURSELVES HOW GOD SEES US
In our pursuit of becoming spiritually mature and our journey of faith, there is a fundamental lesson that we need to grasp: seeing ourselves how God sees us
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
Hebrews 11:32-34 - How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.
READ STORY OF GIDEON - JUDGES 6-7
Gideon’s Struggle - Judges 6:12-16:
Gideon felt INADEQUATE and UNQUALIFIED
Gideon felt like the WEAKEST LINK
Gideon’s sense of INSIGNIFICANCE deeply affected his perception of who he was.
Gideon did NOT see himself as a MIGHTY HERO
The turnaround:
Gideon SURRENDERED his life into the hands of God. 1.
Gideon ACKNOWLEDGED God’s authority in his life 2
Gideon made the decision to exercise FAITH and BELIEVE in what God was calling him to accomplish 3.
Judges 6:32 “Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power.”
This is what SPIRITUAL WARFARE LOOKS LIKE - Judges 7:9-22
It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp Suddenly, they blew the rams ’ horns and broke their clay jars Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars They held the BLAZING TORCHES in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.” Each man STOOD AT HIS POSITION AROUND THE CAMP and watch as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape then the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords ”
SPIRITUAL WARFARE = STRATEGIC POSITIONING AT THE RIGHT TIME
STAND AT YOUR POSITION AROUND THE ENEMY’S CAMP AND CARRY THE FIRE OF HEAVEN WHICH IS WHAT CAUSES THE ENEMY TO DESTROY ITSELF WITHIN BY THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
God often chooses the unlikely and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes 1
Our perception of self can be at odds with God’s view of us, but with that, we need to learn to TRUST God’s assessment of who we are and who HE created us to be OVER WHAT WE THINK
Doubt and fear are natural human reactions, but they shouldn’t paralyze us because God’s call and promises are greater than our fears and doubts 3
Surrender and obedience are key to fulfilling God’s purposes in our lives. Gideon’s willingness, through his fear (which he had often) to listen and obey led to a remarkable victory
God isn’t looking for you to be strong when He calls you He’s looking for you to be willing and HE WILL MAKE YOU STRONG 5
When we walk in obedience to the call of God, HE will clothe us with HIS power. 6.
We need to take our position around the enemy ’ s camp and CARRY THE FIRE OF GOD TO DESTROY THE ENEMY
How can you apply Gideon’s story to where you are currently at in your life and what you believe God is asking/calling you to do?
TO FIGHT
WE NEED TO LEARN TO BRING FAITH TO THE BATTLEFIELD
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
I Samuel 17:1-50 (Read v. 32-50)
THE VOICE OF THE ENEMY.
(Excerpt taken from the book, Goliath Must Fall by Louie Giglio)
The enemy ’ s native language is a LIE John 8:44 “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies ”
The enemy ’ s native language will always speak to you with the following: fear, doubt, anxious thoughts, taunting, demeaning your worth, degrading your identity in Christ, making you feel you are unqualified and not good enough, speaking discouragement in hopes to undermine our faith and confidence in God and through the roadblocks of shame and guilt (to name a few)
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE NATIVE LANGUAGE OF GOD’S WORD which CULTIVATES OUR FAITH.
David made the decision to TUNE HIS EARS to a different voice than Saul’s army
He CHOSE to listen to the native language of who God is.
He REFUSED to accept Goliath’s accusations. He FOCUSED his attention on the PROMISES AND FAITHFULNESS OF WHO GOD IS.
DAVID BROUGHT FAITH TO THE BATTLEFIELD. THAT IS WHAT CHANGED EVERYTHING.
“You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head.”
I Samuel 17:45-46 NLT
DAVID BROUGHT GOD’S HOLY FIRE TO THE BATTLEFIELD.
TO FIGHT
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
2 Samuel 11:1-2 - David and Bathsheba
There will ALWAYS be consequences that unfold when we succumb to passivity in our lives
THE DANGERS OF A PASSIVE SPIRIT:
We neglect our responsibilities: Passivity is a choice over being active which leads us to neglect our responsibilities and assignments God has called us to. 1.
2.
It puts us in a vulnerable position: Passivity can create idle time which can lead to opportunities for temptation You may be saying to yourself, “But I would never do what David did ” Temptation has many different faces: coveting material possessions, temptation to see recognition, praise, or power, temptation to harbor anger, resentment or revenge, temptation to overindulge in food, temptation to lie and cheat or deceive others, temptation to doubt God’s goodness or His promises, temptation to resent what others have, temptation to conform to the expectation of others, temptation to become complacent in your walk with God, temptation to gossip all in the name of, “bless her, I can’t believe she is going through that…”
3. It opens the door to the enemy: Passivity is like a subtle opening for the enemy to take hold in our lives Just as a cracked door allows unwanted guests to enter, passivity can create opportunities for the enemy to exploit our weaknesses and lead us into sin
5.
It is deceiving: a spirit of passivity convinces us that everything is fine or that we can handle the situation, even when it’s a flashing red light in our face telling us we should be taking action It leads to complacency and spiritual apathy definitely a spiritual position you do NOT WANT TO BE
4 It Ignores God’s Call: God has never once called us to live a passive life. He’s called us to be active participants in His plans and to engage in spiritual warfare. Passivity causes us to ignore His call on our life, thus, aborting the plans He planned for us
TO FIGHT
WE NEED TO WATCH WHAT WE SPEAK
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
Proverbs 18:21 “Life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
What are you saying to yourself? Do your words align with the word of God? Are you speaking the words of faith over your life and others? Are you speaking faith into the battles you ’ re facing
Every word we speak plants a seed
The seeds we plant result in what warfare tools we are bringing to our battlefield.
Ephesians 6:17 “And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Would you bring a foam sword and a nerf gun to a spiritual war battle?
Our words are the very seeds we are planting that will results in either life or death. Our words will create the atmosphere of faith or fear. Our words confirm the native language we are choosing to believe.
D O T H I S N O T T H A T .
DON’T SPEAK DEFEAT.
Instead, SPEAK GOD S WORD - Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him ”
DON’T SPEAK FEAR.
Instead, SPEAK GOD S WORD - Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising ”
DON’T SPEAK PANIC.
Instead, SPEAK GOD’S WORD - Acts 3:20-21 – “Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah ”
DON’T SPEAK UNBELIEF.
Instead, SPEAK GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 55:1 – “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it ” And Jeremiah 1:12 – “I am watching over MY WORD to perform it ”
DON’T SPEAK DOUBT.
Instead, SPEAK GOD S WORD - Romans 10:6-8 – “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven? (That is to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead) ’ But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching ”
HIS VOICE THAT HE HAS PUT IN OUR SPIRIT IS NOTHING LESS THAN THE ECHO OF HIS VOICE IN US SO LET’S PUT ASIDE OUR NEGATIVE THINKING, OUR TEARING ONE ANOTHER DOWN, OUR UNKIND WORDS WE SPEAK TO OURSELVES…AND LET US START A LOUD ROARING ECHO ACROSS THIS NATION WITH THE VOICE OF OUR MASTER AND SAVIOR, JESUS.
The weight of our victory rests not on how much we labor and groan, but on how sincerely we believe what God has promised The Lord does not want us worrying about the future; He wants us to create it through the knowledge of His will, through the proclamation of His Word which is the sword of the spirit and through our yieldedness to the power of the Holy Spirit And then He promises, “Whoever beleives in Me will not be disappointed ” Romans 10:11 Francis Frangipane - This Day We Fight Book