“Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kind of troubles you endure.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9 (TPT)
One of the foundational components of our faith, is that we have a real, live, enemy who is out to steal, kill, and destroy any and all people who threaten to stand in his way. (ref. John 10:10) It’s necessary for us as believers in Jesus to be talking about the continual battle that we’re facing day-in and day-out, and where the actual threat and pain we’re experiencing stems from.
Paul states it clearly in his letter to the church in Ephesus, that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the devil and the demonic spirits of darkness that reign under his authority. (ref. Ephesians 6:12). We can be sure that he’s not standing around twiddling his thumbs not knowing what to do next. Satan’s been at this for a very long time, and so he knows the best way to inflict pain on humanity, and how-to bring division to the Church. He’s crafty and deceptive and knows how to manipulate the minds of people who aren’t surrendered to the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that satan accuses us day and night, looking to trap us in his schemes. (ref. Revelation 12:10)
It’s important that we be reminded of this spiritual battle so that we can better understand how to fight. Because our enemy is like a roaring lion looking for his next prey. We can, and need to, take ground against the devil, with the authority and power that God has given us through Jesus. It is by Christ’s finished work on the cross, and the power of His shed blood that covers all our sin, that we stand with such authority. It is by faith, and through Christ’s Spirit in us, that we fight against the evil strategies of the accuser.
“Lord, increase our faith. Help us to trust that You’ve given us authority, and to believe it wholeheartedly. That by Your strength and with Your power we would hold our ground against the enemy. That we would enter boldly into the spiritual battle that we’re in and advance in the fight by wielding Your Word, Your Truth, and surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Give us the audacity to take You at Your Word, and declare, in the name of Jesus, that no weapon formed against us will prosper. Make us women who live a life of vigorous faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
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