It felt like a girlfriend celebration.
Lots of cheering and “whoop, whoops.” At the end of all of the good ministry news, one person gently issued this invitation.
Will you fast with me?
There weren’t a lot of details, only encouragement to pray about what that fast might look like for each of us individually.
Later that night I was walking and tears started trailing down my cheeks in gratitude. I love the fact that I get to be a part of a team of strong, faith-filled woman that celebrate victories, but who don’t settle into the role of victor.
Instead, they are smart enough to realize that spiritual victories launch us deeper into spiritual battle. There’s more to do, so let’s be prepared.
Is spiritual warfare real?
That’s a question we might avoid.
I’ve turned the other way from teachings that make us look for demons in every corner or that invite us to blame the devil for all our shortcomings. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to live with my faith wrapped in fear and I don’t want to live defeated.
The other extreme is to pretend that spiritual warfare doesn’t exist, especially when we read these words like these:
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 (NIV)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Pet. 5:8-9 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:11-12 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 (NIV)
So how do we approach spiritual warfare?
We are aware, but anchored
We’re aware that we are in a battle and that there’s a real enemy, but we are anchored in the truth that God is greater.
When we are in a battle or sense that one’s brewing, it’s an invitation to focus on the God parts of the verses above.
Sure, there is a thief that comes to steal and destroy, and if we stop there maybe there’s reason for fear.
But it doesn’t stop there.
This is the God part of that verse: The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but our Savior came that we might have abundant life.
That’s worth celebrating!
But then we put on our spiritual dukes as we are aware that there’s an enemy. We take a swing as we stand firm against that enemy with the shelter, life, strength, direction, comfort, hope, guidance and freedom we are given as His.
Are you in a battle? Let’s put up our spiritual dukes together today!
Suzie
Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. CT, join me in a live Periscope broadcast. Each week I share one 5-to-7 minute#livefree boost. This morning’s broadcast shared how to fight with faith over fear.
Periscope is a free app that you can download on your phone. To follow my broadcast, find me with this ID: @suzanneeller
I hope I’ll see you there next week! ~ Suzie
Amen! I whole-heartedly believe that while some attacks come straight from the Enemy — we have many other foes! Sometimes others hurt us or fail us us, or just cause struggle in our lives. Other times it’s simply the fallen world around us. And then other times … WE are our greatest enemy! But the wonderful news is that no matter what we face, our Heavenly Father is there to equip us, arm us, defend us, and use our trials and sufferings for our good! Praise God! We would do well to remember that God is in control of ALL things. Even the devil has to receive permission to attack God’s children. And sometimes God allows it. But He knows us better than we know ourselves, He sees things we don’t, and He knows that what others mean for our destruction, He will instead use for our good and His glory! Amen!!
Love this! I’ve been caught in that place before where I was sick of hearing that every little thing that happened was spiritual warfare, so I teetered closely to the other side of the extremity. I love that you teach about the balance here with scripture. Aware but anchored… YES YES YES! Thank you for this today… I think I needed it!
“We’re aware that we are in a battle and that there’s a real enemy, but we are anchored in the truth that God is greater.” I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Such a great reminder today, Suzanne. Thank you sister!
I just love your writings. So much truth in what you said and in God’s Word! AMEN!!!! I am fighting the homeschooling batte. Many unkind words said to my girls and them to me during this homeschool year. I am praying alot for His grace and peace and patience through it all. I am praying that God will change my heart and my daughters’ hearts too. Been a very humbling and challenging time. I need tons of prayer and grace during this time. I know God has us here for a reason. Praying HE will see us through as HE always has before! TY for this amazing study. Can’t wait to dive in even more!!
You did it Susie, you gave me the perfect balance between the two – Aware and anchored is brilliant! thank you for that ah-ha knowledge! God truly uses you to bless us. thank you!