It is crazy to think I have been a follower of Christ for over 40 years and yet I have not fully understood the battle that I am in. God is raising me up not only to know things about Him, but to learn how to walk in a relationship with Him. When I do, I walk truly as a son of God, being led by the Spirit and know how to battle effectively with the enemy and achieve victory beyond anything I can believe or imagine. David was not know for being a good warrior because he knew lots of things. He was able to go to battle and achieve victory because all he knew and practiced he was able to use to achieve victories beyond Saul and others around him. God will prove us as a soldier on the battlefield, so be prepared for the battles. As God gives us small battles and victories where we prove ourselves as warriors, He will give us bigger and bigger battles to fight. So see your battles not has a terrible time, but a place where God is training you for victory in the small battles so you are ready for being able to claim more and more territory back from the enemy. Get ready for the tens of thousands!
We are often thrown by things that attack us and we are caught off guard as we watch the battle unfolding in front of us. Steve Furtick preached a great sermon titled "When The Battle Chooses You. It is worth watching as Steve reminds us how to see the battle from God's perspective.
At the moment my life has some major challenges. I can choose to either become damaged, bitter and defeated or take up the battle and learn how to put into practice all God has given me. I have chosen to fight for all that God has given me... but in the way He has called me to fight. The following ideas are important for understanding what this battle is about and how to fight as sons of God.
Jesus came to bring in the Kingdom of God. There is a massive clash between kingdoms. The kingdom of this world hated and finally killed Jesus but through Jesus' death He has brought victory allowing us access to this new kingdom which now operates differently to the world. In the Lord's Prayer we pray "Your Kingdom come, Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven)
We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:11) It is so important to understand that our wisdom, ideas and actions can actually cause more harm than good, if we fight things in the flesh. Our battle is spiritual first, and when this battle is won then the physical changes. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says " For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
The work is God's. I love the parable of the sower in Mark 4. After this parable Jesus gives a parable about a growing seed. (Mark 4:26) Interesting enough the farmer plants the seed BUT does not know how the seed will sprout and grow. We are to sow, plough and water but the work of growing the seed is God's which is represented by the soil.
Do not be surprised when you are in a battle. Ephesians 6:11 says " Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." It is not putting the armour on just in case, or as a uniform so people know who we are. It is so when we ARE in battle we are able to be protected and have victory. As soon as we become Christians we enter the battle.
We go to battle, BUT God brings the victory. Psalm 37:7 says "Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him". This reminds us that we pray we then allow God to do the work. We can stop worrying and trust Him. Ephesians 6:13 says "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." We do all He gives us and when we have done everything just stand. Very interesting that we are not required to swing the sword around. Just stand on His promises and Word and allow God to work. It is His battle.
Tips On Fighting The Battle
God is teaching us to fight and putting us into battle. I have put together some key tips for fighting the battle. There are more.
We need to fight filled with the Spirit and led by Him. Romans 8 is an extremely important chapter where we are told that to be a son of God we need to be led by the Spirit.Verse 14 says "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God".
Our relationship with Jesus is essential. The battle requires us to spend much time with Jesus and draw close to Him during the battle.
Prayer is the key. Put time aside to pray and seek God. Ask God for the scriptures that He wants you to pray in the situation. As it is a spiritual war, we need to fight it spiritually. Watching War Room really helped me with this understanding.
It is not our battle. We are called to play a part, but God brings the victory. 2 Chronicles 20 tells the story of King Jehoshaphat and how he was put in a situation where 3 large armies were coming to destroy the Israelites. He brought the issue to God and when he led the army to battle he found God had already defeated the enemy.
God always gives us battles that we see as impossible. That is more the reason to trust Him and fight it His way. I love the story in 2 Kings 6:17 where Elisha prayed that the young man would see in the spirit what was happening when the king sent a great army to get him. Elisha was not afraid. " 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." When it looks impossible as God to see in the spirit what is actually the truth.
Jesus knew that Satan could not stop the plans of God. He could sleep in the boat when the experienced sailors were scared that the wind and waves would overcome them. Jesus knew that his destiny was in God's hands and God's plans could not be defeated by Satan. Trust God that His plans will happen.
Stay holy. This means not only fight, but keep holy and away from sin. Know the Word of God and do it. Give not place for Satan to attack or cause injury. If you do sin, remember we have an advocate (Jesus) who has paid the price and we are forgiven. We then move on knowing that we are forgiven and the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us so condemnation does not get a foothold. Romans 8:1 says " There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
Surround yourself with godly people who focus not on the problem but stand with you as you fight the battle and hold up your hands when you are weary. I prayed for 4 godly men to surround me and through swallowing my pride and asking for support God had 4 godly men surrounding me in a couple of days. He has also given me many other support people.
The battle is won through love. I am seeking God to love my wife as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:25 " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ")1 Corinthians 13 is a great chapter that shows that without love, everything we do is a waste of time.
Focus on Jesus and not the battle. When Peter got out of the boat in Matthew 14:22-33 he stayed on top of the water when he had his eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him and do not focus on the problem. The opposite of worry is praise. Keep praising Jesus.
Remember, when you win the victory God will use what you have learnt in the battle to fight even bigger battles. You will become even more of a threat to the enemy. Change your thinking from how terrible your situation is to thanking God for the battle. Trusting God and fight with Him to establish His kingdom on earth.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
I am so grateful that you have given me this battle. You have prepared me, taught me and now you have placed me on the battlefield. I acknowledge the battle is not mine but yours. Thank you that the battle looks impossible and there is no way that I can get victory in the flesh. This means I must call on you to teach me how to fight in the spirit so victory can be won and your kingdom can be established on earth in this situation. Like Peter, I choose to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You and in Your time you will bring victory. I will not be defeated. I will not be damaged. I will come through this not only giving glory to you, but those witnessing the battle will have no option but to give You the glory.
Thank you that the victory has already been won through Christ. I choose to stand and allow You to bring the victory.
I love you and desire my relationship with you to continue to grow through these battles. Prepare me for bigger battles so I can be victorious no matter how big the battle is.
Your son.
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