We are at War (2010-02-26)

Submitted by pieterb on 16 March, 2010 - 13:00
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 We are at War


The wind is blowing.  A huge wave has just broken over me and my kayak, dumping me into the deep, cold waters of the ocean.  With effort, I get hold of my overturned kayak to turn it upright, and get on top of it again.  Only on my third try, am I successful.  Victory!    (I am attending a kayak survival course on how to handle strong currents, winds and capsizing.)

In the same way, we as Christians need to take definite steps against the enemy - against the powers of darkness constantly trying to overturn us and extinguish the Light of God in our lives.

 

Do you sometimes experience defeat in your life?

Does it feel as if the powers of evil seem to be stronger than your available strength – as if life is just bullying you?

Often people remain defeated and in captivity for their entire lives.

This kind of negative oppression is also known as ‘strongholds’.

 

Stronghold

“A stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable situations that we know are contrary to the will of God.” - Ed Silvoso

In short, a stronghold is a lie from Satan!

 

Take God on His Word

We are all merely weak humans, but we don’t need to use human plans and methods to win our battles.  God’s mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan’s strongholds.

The Christian must choose whose methods to use;  God’s or the world’s.

James 4:6-10 tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Paul defends his authority and describes this warfare against sin and Satan.  (Our spiritual weapons are different from earthly weapons in that they have divine power to demolish strongholds.)

Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

 

God’s weapons are powerful and effective

The armour of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Paul assures us that God’s mighty weapons – prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit – are powerful and effective.

In the Christian life our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but we fight against rulers and authorities – demons over whom Satan has control.  They are not mere fantasies – they are very real.  A powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church.

When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin.   To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armour.

We are assured of victory in Jesus’ name only.  God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armour surrounding us.

 

My Prayer for you

 “Lord, I pray that You will help me and the person reading this Newsflash :

  • To recognize strongholds in our lives
  • Let us acknowledge and get rid of sin in our lives in order not to provide ‘handles’ for the enemy to manipulate and defeat us
  • Help us to be self-controlled and alert, not allowing the enemy to devour us (according to 1 Peter 5:8)
  • Open our eyes to the lies of Satan
  • Give us the boldness to resist sin and the devil, and continuously return to You, God, for inner strength and renewal
  •  

  • Heavenly Father, You promised the abundant and fruitful life as result of being filled (directed & empowered) by the Holy Spirit, therefore, I pray that our lives will continuously become new in You

We ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.”

 

Helpful Links :

 

Please Pray for ‘There is Hope Ministries’ and it’s staff :

 

Until the whole world knows,

 

Pieter Brits

Director : There is Hope Ministries
Internet, Mentoring, Coaching & Training