“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-8a, 10
When we are on target doing the will of God and fulfilling His purpose for our ministry, unified as a body of Christ, each part doing its good work without comparison or jealousy, the devil will actively work to thwart our progress and diminish our momentum. Spiritual warfare is just as real today as it was when Satan tempted Christ in the desert (Matthew 4). So when I feel satisfied or content with my current spiritual state or when things happening to others around me cause me to be distracted from the work at hand, I know that I am under spiritual attack. I have to fight that much harder in prayer, standing in the gap, interceding continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
In following the example of Christ’s response, we need to be speaking out the truths contained in God’s Word daily. We put on the full armor of God, “so that we can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11b-12). We stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace fitted on our feet, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and prayers in the Spirit.
The blessing in spiritual warfare is this: just as I preached on Sunday to a group of prisoners in Erute prison for men, we have freedom in Christ. We are no longer held down by the things of this world, by the spirits of deception or deceit, but rather we are made alive in Christ and the Holy Spirit that lives within us counsels us. 2 Timothy 1:7-9 says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. We do not have a spirit of fear but of boldness and confidence (Psalm 118:6-7). We do not have a spirit of loneliness but the promise of God’s continual presence (Deuteronomy 31:6). We do not have a spirit of depression but the joy of the Lord is strength for the weary (Nehemiah 8:10b, Isaiah 40:29-31). We do not have a spirit of anxiety or worry but the peace of the Lord which transcends all understanding will guard our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7). We do not have a spirit focused on ourselves but we surrender completely standing firm knowing that Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). So while we feel bound by the spirits around us, we walk in freedom in Christ. Our home is not in this world so as citizens of heaven we can stand firmly against the spiritual forces of this world. God has already defeated Satan and won when Jesus overcame death on a cross and resurrected three days later. We claim that same victory. So while the struggle may be long and hard, we know that ultimately God wins. He is working out all things for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
