Three Key Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

Image by Loci Lenar via Flickr

Pastor Paula White

Many Christians often wonder why they are still struggling with a myriad of issues, although they have been saved and born again through Christ.

Why are so many of us are still living with illness and disease...addiction...fear and anxiety...depression...emotional scars...negative childhood memories...and more?

I have often said that it’s not always what we’re doing wrong – sometimes it’s that we’re not doing enough of what’s right.

The fact is, in the natural world we live in, we will still have to struggle against many spiritual attacks, weaknesses of the flesh, and strongholds/negative mindsets. And during certain periods of difficulties we must use the extra defense, inspiration, and intervention that comes from the power of the Holy Spirit within.

In other words: to overcome certain barriers to our victory through Christ, we must be prepared to engage in spiritual warfare!

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is filled with commands and strategies for achieving the victory He so dearly paid for.

In the sermon, there are three powerful keys for achieving victory through Christ – three eternally vital and life-transforming strategies for overcoming the challenges of life. Separately, I believe each is as important to the believer as eating or drinking. But combined together they cleanse, purify, and prepare the believer for battle -- and fill you to overflow with the power of God’s Spirit.

Together, the three become spiritual weapons that will help you break generational curses, overcome bad habits and negative self-talk, and achieve the true freedom God intends for you.

The three keys that will prepare you to battle your obstacles through spiritual warfare are giving, prayer and fasting. These are not suggestions that we are given to follow -- Jesus makes it clear that God expects us to do these things by using the word “when”:

• Jesus instructs us that we are to give love offerings (alms).

But WHEN thou doest alms…thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:3 - 4

• Jesus instructs us that we are to pray.

And WHEN thou prayest…enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:5 - 6

• Jesus instructs us that we are to fast.

Moreover WHEN ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance…and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16 - 18

When these three vital Christian principles are followed, together their combined power provides life-transforming “weapons” for engaging in spiritual warfare.

And even during periods of peace and tranquility, you will deeply benefit from engaging in a period of spiritual practice that combines these three acts.

By combining giving, prayer and fasting, you will pave the way to walking in the true freedom God intends for you. You will be equipped for spiritual warfare that will break every yoke and destroy every stronghold in your life!

Chose to live a victorious life in Jesus!

Are You At War?

Tanya James

As Christians, there are some things you can be sure of … battles will come, the enemy will try to take you out, people will come against you, and life as a Christian will not always be easy. There is simply no denying that spiritual warfare is real and present.

However, you can find encouragement in the fact that you will get through it. It’s one thing to be at war and not know the outcome. But how awesome is it to know that we have the victory in God? Even when it seems impossible … ultimately, we win.

There is a scripture that I absolutely love because it seems to sum it all up for me.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:8-9

When I find myself in the midst of spiritual warfare, I go straight to God’s word. (This is a good time to have some scripture hidden in your heart). It’s true - you must put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11-18)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“I have called you by your name, You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2-3

You can fight me. You can talk about me. You can run my name through the mud. You can hurt me. You can betray me. You can deny me. You can mistreat me. You can take everything I own. You can try to destroy. You can plot against me. You can misuse me. You can lie on me. You can try to kill me.

..and even if through human eyes it appears that I’ve been conquered – I can continue to stand firm on what GOD said. Yes, you may appear to win a battle here and there … but the war … you can’t win!

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17a