How Are We Supposed to Fight a Spiritual Battle?

In our daily meditations over the past few days, we have learned that this world is under Satan's control and that he influences events by controlling flesh-and-blood individuals. What is the church to do against such forces? In a way I cannot fully explain, all true believers are seated in the heavenly realms with Christ, even though we are walking on this Earth at the same time. Christ sits on the throne far above every authority, power, and dominion. Because of our relationship with Christ, we are also seated with Him, exercising His authority in the world through prayer. Paul explains this position of authority in the following words:

¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:18-23).

⁶And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-7; emphasis added).

How can we become a powerful force in this spiritual warfare against evil demonic beings? Each of us is involved in a spiritual battle, whether we realize it or not. To confront these unseen enemies, God has given us the authority through Christ and the mighty weapon of prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. There are some essential principles we need to understand to be effective.

1)    Know who you are in Christ. Are you convinced of Christ's authority? Don't try to wage warfare in your strength. Rely on His power and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2)    Agree with the Word of God. In this world, agreeing with God's Word is becoming increasingly unpopular. The Word of God remains consistent and unchanging. The truth of God's Word should guide our thinking and decisions, and when we act on that truth, we will find ourselves on the right side of the spiritual battle, no matter what others think of us. God's Word is powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

3)    Agree with the Holy Spirit quickly. If you are a believer in Christ, you are training for battle and becoming a strong warrior. You fight the enemy every time you choose to forgive and put others' needs before your own. Make unselfish decisions; you can't fight the enemy while giving him ground in your own life. If you submit to the Lordship of Christ, you will grow in exercising Christ's authority and defeating the enemy.

4)    Be honest and transparent with God about the enemy’s Infiltration. We need to be more proactive in the spiritual battle for our family and friends. The enemy tries to blind us to the possibilities of praying through these situations. Don't accept defeat; instead, allow God to expand your vision of what He wants to do in your life and family! Our enemy will oppose the advancement of God's will and purpose, but God is for us and will give us victory! You're engaged in warfare whenever you draw near to the battle lines in prayer. The wonderful thing is that we can declare the victory that Christ has already secured for us. If God is for us, who can stand against us? Keith Thomas

This meditation is a shortened version of the study: Know Your Enemy, found in the series Spiritual Warfare: Overcoming Evil