Spiritual Warfare 101
“Finally, draw your strength from the LORD and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens,” Ephesian 6:10-12.
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you,” James 4:7.
Over the last few days we have been hit with strong blows from the enemy, as my wife and I have watched an intense fury sweep against us. This isn’t the first time and it most certainly won’t be the last time. Many of us face these types of attacks, and I believe that we need to know how to deal with them effectively.
Some would say to simply know that “you have the victory, and the blood of Jesus will cover you.” While I certainly believe this is true, it simply isn’t enough to just say these things and to know them in your heart. For when real warfare begins and is at your very door, the assault on our lives can produce real damage if we aren’t combating it effectively.
Usually when I sense that an attack is present I go into another room to pray. I start praying and while I am praying, then I begin to speak to the spiritual hosts of wickedness saying, “In the name of Jesus you must leave.”
As I continue to speak this, I begin to speak in tongues, and as the presence of the LORD is felt, I know that this process of ridding the enemy’s schemes has begun. However, this process may need to continue for hours, as one prays in the spirit, binding the enemy.
We can’t just simply sit still knowing that we are covered by the blood and that God is in control. Yes, He is in control, but the wind will continue to blow, and the attack will ensue, if we don’t have our armor on. The attack will continue if we don’t grab the weapons of our warfare and speak effectively to the enemy in the name of the LORD.
As I was doing this yesterday, I saw in the spirit, a creature with tentacles that were reaching out. It was definitely demonic in nature, but it took on the appearance of something out of a sci-fi movie.
And as I continued praying in the spirit, I watched as this demonic creature slowly drifted out of my field of vision. The spirit of the LORD spoke to me, telling me that the air was beginning to clear, and sure enough, within an hour or less, the surroundings had changed, and the person I had prayed for, was greatly changed.
Now, having said this, the warfare and the battle may well not be over completely. We can’t necessarily assume, that the enemy won’t try to come again; he most certainly will. And I must say that we all experience various attacks from the enemy, and each of them is different in nature from one to another.
Those involved in prophetic ministry, and especially called to an office, will experience heavier attacks than others. This is especially true as we are speaking the words of the LORD in truth, because the enemy hates these things, and he will do what he can in order to disable us.
But remember that “Greater is He who is in us, than he that is in the world.”
Lastly, we can’t over-estimate the power of collective prayers and intercession. As the saints gather with us in these battles, the enemy will surely fall.
We will always have the victory, but we must participate in the warfare. We must follow certain guidelines knowing that how we fight in the spirit, will effectively cause the enemy to flee. He is subtle and he will try to find a way to re-enter, but know that he can be felled each and every time.
Amen.
Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson
Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?
Powerful word, Brother! The attacks are ongoing, but so is the warfare! God bless and protect you and yours as we fight the Good Fight of Faith.
You are not alone!
The attacks has lately grown into something that is what one can say is totally absurd, but it is the same time a great confirmation of that the evil one knows that his time is short
and that the Holy Spirit is at work.
The Lord has several times showed me that perfect obedience and praising the Lord in the midst of the persecution is the weapon the enemy fears the most.
Just minutes before I read this post I had a reason to pray to God that He shall – the more the heat in the fire will increase – let me feel pleasure in the heat.
“Have we not cast three men into the midst of the fire bound?
He answered and hath said, Lo, I am seeing four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like to a son of the gods Dan.3:24-25
“the fire hath no power over their bodies Dan.3:27
“Blessed is the God …who hath sent His messenger, and hath delivered His servants who trusted on Him Dan.3:28