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Four
Steps to Fighting Spiritual Warfare
BY
RICK WARREN
“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” (Ephesians 6:12
NIV).
1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Why would God send his
Son to fight what does not exist?
The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, “The Son of God came to destroy
these works of the Devil” (NLT).
When you’re being
attacked, it’s proof that you’re a believer.
The more you make an
impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it;
it just gets more intense.
2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers
don’t understand about the authority they have against the Devil.
Matthew 28:18-19 says
we have all authority in Heaven and on Earth.
Then Jesus says, “Therefore go and make
disciples” (NIV).
He transfers the
authority to you and me. He does that because he’s given us a specific mission:
sharing the message of Jesus as his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).
3. Put on God’s armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor
of God in Ephesians 6:11-17, he was in prison chained to a Roman guard.
Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor.
Paul says that just as the Roman soldier was properly dressed to
do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle.
For instance, I will often pray, “Lord, I put on the helmet
of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give
me. I don’t want to think the Devil’s thoughts. I don’t want to think my
thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that I may be a voice for you. I
put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I
want to lead people into righteousness.”
4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare
is primarily in your thought life (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
The weapons God gives
you to demolish arguments are humility, faith, truth, and praise. Take every
thought captive!
Talk It Over
· When you feel attacked by the Devil, what does your authority in
Christ give you the power to do?
· How does memorizing Scripture help you engage in spiritual
warfare?
·
We’re told to “take captive every thought” (2 Corinthians 10:5
NIV) — what do you think that means?
Rick
Warren
is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer. The various
ministries Pastor Rick has created are a multi-faceted expression of his heart
to bring the whole Gospel to the whole world.
