Spiritual Warfare

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

If we think we live in a world where there is no enemy distracting us and trying to keep us from the purpose, plan, and true intention of God's will for our lives, we are deceived. Every day, good Christian people get off track because they weren't prepared for the battle that happens every day on behalf of the souls of men, saved and unsaved.
 
If you're a Christian, the enemy's goal is to make you completely spiritually handicapped, either by an emotional wound or by lack of knowledge.
 
If you're not a Christian yet, the entirety of hell wants to make sure you stay that way.
 
My husband and I help administrate a bi-weekly discipleship group for the worship team and anyone creative in our church. Once the night before the group I went to my husband Justin and said, "Babe, I just don't want to do this anymore. I am worn out. I don't really feel like what I'm doing matters. I don't really feel like it's what I need to be doing."
 
The next night at the group was the best we had had yet, with a larger than normal number of people who came. It was a huge blessing to be a part of. The presence of God was very strong. This has also happened to me before an event when I was asked to speak. I was depressed before the event. I was filled with feelings of unforgiveness. But I prayed, and went for it anyway. The outcome was that people were touched and got a lot out of what I had shared. I was sharing on the power of forgiveness.
 
We know that we're right where God wants us to be when we experience a level of spiritual warfare that we wouldn't otherwise experience. It could be illness, emotional fatigue, circumstances, a sour attitude from ourselves or someone close to us, or all of the above. We need to combat these by worship, prayer, asking others for help & prayer, and getting suited up for battle. (Eph 6:11-15) Are you prepared for the battle ahead?


Being Aware of Resistance

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."  -1 Peter 5:8

Have you ever started something you know God had called you to only to be met with extreme resistance?   "Why is this happening to me?" we might ask.  "God, all I'm trying to do is serve you!"

What we fail to realize is that we have an enemy that is "hell bent" on deterring us from our mission.

Things will happen in life.  Demands will continue to be placed on us, problems and issues will arise, and what we have to do will continually try to dissuade us what we feel called to do. 

So how can we push through?

Being aware of our enemy is the first step.  Expecting resistance will better prepare us for that resistance, and developing a plan to tackle that resistance will also help us in defeating it. Reading the word, prayer, worship, and speaking life and truth over situations that we’re going through are tools that can help us overcome.  I know a businesswoman who is continually listening to good preaching (even while she sleeps!) to re-program her brain to overcome.  We also need to be aware of resistance in our personal lives, and manage our time & emotions well (i.e., fatigue, PMS {ladies}, loneliness).

Are you aware of the resistance in your life? Pray today and ask for the Holy Spirit's help in defeating that resistance.  The Holy Spirit is our helper while we are living out our calling on this earth.  (John 14:26)