Spiritual Warfare

The subject of spiritual warfare that we are about to discuss is the most neglected and unknown subject in the Christian world. The church does not educate the flock to the degree that is necessary to overcome the enemy. This subject is virtually ignored. One quarter of the ministry of Jesus Christ was casting out unclean spirits. Not only was Jesus busy casting out demons but he had to deal with everyone from Satan to the Pharisees to doubters coming against him. We will discuss this later in a story about Jezebel.

Satan and his dark kingdom are always at work trying to destroy us. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. He comes at us in so many ways and we don’t know how to stop it because of our lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Yet, if we read God’s Word we would find our authority to be able to battle the enemy.

Mark 16:17 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons;

John 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

My wife and I began studying spiritual warfare and deliverance seven years ago out of necessity. We wanted to understand why things were happening to us that had no rhyme or reason. Through research, studying and meditating in the Bible, and getting revelation from the Lord, we have started to understand how the enemy works. There is so much we don’t know. With that knowledge, attacks from the dark kingdom began and it has been intense for my wife and I. Understand, Satan does not want you to know about him. He does not want you to learn the authority in Jesus name that you have over him and the dark kingdom.

A special note to consider. When God chooses you or chooses someone to do work for God’s Kingdom such as church ministries or standing in the gap as intercessor, you can expect Satan to do everything in his power to stop it. The attacks could come from temptation, doubts, worry, incurable diseases, and pride to name a few. Finally, some of the biggest attacks come from people in your private (especially families) and professional life.

Elijah the prophet was a great man of God who came against Jezebe’ls hundreds (1 Kings 18:22) of false prophets in a showdown of their gods and the God of Israel. Long story short, Elijah won out and destroyed the false prophets (1 Kings 18:40). Jezebel did not like this and 1 Kings 19 shows how Satan can work through people like Jezebel to come against God’s people.

1 Kings 19:1-4

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

Satan used Jezebel to come against Elijah who was so distraught (spirit of depression) that he wanted to kill himself. As you can determine, Satan is very powerful and we are at risk. He never rests and he is relentless.

Things to remember about Satan:

New believers in Christ have a special place in the kingdom. Understand that we have to nurture them and protect them because Satan will work to get them to go back to their old ways.

He will go after your family to get to you.

He will use other people to come against you.

He will always use your areas of weakness (bondages) to attack you. We all have weaknesses.
He will always go after your mind.

He will attack your physical body as he did in Job. Most people attribute cancer and other incurable diseases to genetics or being exposed to different things but refuse to believe that Satan or spiritual forces may be at work. This is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe. This is why Jesus gave us the authority to heal (Mark 16:18) because he knew we would need this authority to heal.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Do not allow yourself to be destroyed due to a lack of knowledge. Don’t depend on anyone to educate or teach you. The Bible, The Holy Spirit, warfare books and knowledgeable people are available to show you how to overcome the enemy.

Believe and use The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10:16

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.