All Christians have engaged in spiritual warfare from one time or another.
You personally may be going through a rough period in your life right now. I want to share some biblical principles that will help you fight in the war with Satan
First and foremost, you need to know that Christ has won the victory over all evil powers and gives victory to Christians who totally depend on Him and use the spiritual weapons He gives us. We will continue to face spiritual warfare so we must use God's power to overcome Satan and his forces. 1 Peter 5:8-9 confirms the fact that the devil is alive and well and is waiting to attack you. Comforting I know, but God is allowing it for a reason. God shares through his scriptures things we must do to overcome it.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9
In this verse it points out that we must be alert and we must use self-control. I believe God uses these two points to show the importance it has on our lives. He wants us to be alert so we can recognize the temptation from Satan. Satan is very smart and knows where we are weakest. God asked us to use self-control because without it we will fall into sin. To have self-control means we resist the plans of Satan and he then will flee from you.
Do you think it’s fair that God allows Satan to tempt us? Why can't we just live in peace and always choose right? Why couldn't He just destroy Satan after the temptation of Adam and Eve? Well, God wants us to have free will but He also wants us to make choices in life that affirms our love for Him. God knows we are going to fail so He gave us the most incredible gift we could personally receive. Not only the gift of free will, but the gift of God's grace through Jesus’ sacrifice. Not all will accept this free gift and not all will have the peace knowing that their sins have been forgiven if you choose Jesus in your heart. Can you imagine living day by day, not knowing where your spirit will end up when you die? How can one live without hope and assurance? I believe this is one of Satan's biggest plans for the unknowing of God's gift, as well as for the unbelieving souls that have no faith God. Satan is so sneaky and deceitful when it comes to planting thoughts and doubts about the true love of Jesus Christ. He does not want the believing sharing and testifying how Jesus has changed the lives of so many that believe in Him. We must fight Satan with everything we have been given by God! Do you know how to fight Satan and his demons when tempted???? In Ephesians 6:11-18 it says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
God has just given us directions through His Word on how we should fight and defend ourselves. When Satan has a stronghold, it will not be easy. You will see how Satan can undermine your faith and could possibly put thoughts in your mind that do not honor God. Each one of us have a weakness in our walk with Christ. What is yours?? Have you voiced it out loud to God? Have you asked a trustworthy friend to pray for you concerning the struggle you have, and what Satan knows really well? Not all sin needs to be shared with another person, but you can ask a friend to pray for personal struggles in your life.
Over the next few days I would like to point out some ways to overcome the temptations and ungodly desires in your heart. You have to be willing to do this though. You must not fall into this temptation while we go through this study. You have to use self-control and you have to be alert when you feel the temptation come to mind. It is my strongest desire and prayer that you will defeat this struggle in your life. If you will go back and read my “Jesus temptation” series you will see Satan never goes away forever, but eventually he will slowly stop tempting you with the same sin if you no longer struggle with it anymore.
God bless,
E.