Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is not a fight for freedom from Satan’s control over us. This was accomplished by the work of the Cross. However, one must appropriate the freedom available to all Christians, just as salvation must be appropriated. Spiritual warfare is fighting for the freedom for Jesus to be lifted up and the power of the Holy Spirit to flow, because Jesus said that when He is lifted up, He would draw all men unto Himself. It is also pushing back the forces of darkness to bring truth where there has been deception. It is about freeing those who are held captive to oppression, domination, and possession, that they may be liberated from everything that has distanced them from God, through truth in His Word and the power of the work of the Cross. Although a difficult passage of scripture to grasp, the one below leaves the reader with a visual image that vividly describes spiritual warfare.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force (Mt 11:12). There is a clash in the heavenlies, a cataclysm waiting to take place when the saints of God decide to stand against the status quo and become the hands and feet of our Lord. Armed and ready to march for the truth of the Gospel, even unto death, these are the warriors Jesus came to equip. So often, warfare is looked at as another item on the church agenda, something to be sure to cover in some form or fashion. However, warfare that is truly effective against the devil and his horde of demons consists of total submission to the will and ways of our Lord and Savior. It is pushing back the forces of hell and praying for truth and the light of the Gospel to prevail in what was once dark, lost or bound. It is taking captivity captive.
Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle (Ps 144:1);
Robin Bertram Ministries www.robinbertram.tv
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