This is War!

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)

Did you know you are under attack?  Satan is the enemy of your soul, and he has you in his crosshairs.  He has a variety of methods, but his battleground is always the same - he attacks your mind.  Financial problems, sicknesses, jealousy, self-doubt, and pride are just a few of the ways he will start to unravel your faith.

The first step to fighting the battle is to recognize you are under attack.  If you understand that our God is a God of peace, order, and freedom, that will help bring some clarity to your situation.  Doubt, uncertainty, and anxiety are a few clues that things are not of God.

Once you recognize the attack, got ready to battle!  You should be prepared for battle at all times.  God supplies the armor, and He tells us to put it on and keep it on.   

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17 NIV)

In any battle, there is offense and defense.  The verse above teaches us that our faith and our salvation protect us from the attacks of the evil one (defense).  The Word of God is what we use to fight back (offense).

Some Guidelines for Battle:

1.  Put on the garment of praise. Isaiah 61:3  Praising God through your battle has been proven time and time again to lead to victory.  The Battle of Jericho is a great example.  "The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout!  For the Lord has given you the town!'" (Joshua 6:16)
2.  Fellowship with the Lord. In John 15:5, the Lord says, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
3.  Walk in love and selflessness. Satan's goal is to steal, kill, and destroy.  It is easier to accomplish this when he separates you from relationships.  Love confuses him a bit, and frustrates his plans.
4.  Repeat and memorize scripture.  Whether spoken out loud or to yourself, the Word of God destroys the lies of the enemy.  This is your greatest weapon.

Satan may be a crafty manipulator.  But once you recognize his strategy, you see that he hasn't changed his tactics much over the years.  We have the most effective strategy to overcome him in our hands - it is the Word of God.  Don't get off course by trying to use physical or worldly solutions.  The battle is of a spiritual nature.  You need to fight this one differently, but with God as your General, you will see victory.