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We’re in a war. A daily war. An intense war. And a disguised war.

All you have to do is turn on the media for a minute and you will consume enough stories to convince you the world is in a crisis. Mental illness is at an all-time high. Suicide is a full-blown epidemic at this point. Disease, broken homes, terrorist attacks, and shootings. This list could sadly go on and on and if you let it in, it’s enough to make even an even keel person go into a full blown panic attack.

There’s an active war out there for your joy, peace, and purpose. There is a battle trying to take you down a road of darkness and despair rather than the narrow road that leads to the abundant life Jesus offers.

I have become incredibly aware of this battle and have found these issues are rooted in a much deeper place than our everyday understanding.

Steps for winning the spiritual war

I had to go after the root cause of what God says is going on. He knows all. Nothing shocks him. Nothing. And God allows us wisdom and discernment concerning these things when we call on him and submerge ourselves in the Bible.

So that’s where I went . . . 

It was only when I realized what the Bible said about the battles we face that I started to win them.

I had to learn the battle strategy that our God equipped us with to win every single time.

We’re warriors called to win the war. In Christ, there is no such thing as defeat. We have the upper hand. Always.

One of my favorite scriptures of all time that I pray over myself on a daily basis is Ephesians 6:10. It is one of many areas in scripture that show us that we are in a spiritual battle. There is more to this life than what we can see right in front of us. Ephesians tells us that, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

It gives such an amazing picture of the war we are in. And the greatest part is we have been given everything we need to win.

It says, “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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

With the shield of faith in God and His promises, we are able to extinguish ALL the flaming darts of the evil one. I think sometimes it is easy to overlook that and not really process what a powerful statement that is.

God provides

There is so much more to what meets the eye. There are battles going on in the spirit world that we can’t even begin to comprehend with our earthly minds and eyes.

This is beautifully illustrated in one of my favorite stories in 2 Kings 6:16-17, “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

This story gives me chills every time. Can you even imagine this? You are facing what seems to be an insurmountable army of WAY more soldiers than you have on your side. Then God opens your eyes to see into HIS world and there you see more soldiers and chariots of fire than you can even count, all fighting on your behalf. That’s pretty amazing!

This, my friend, is the help we have on our side. Our job is to put on that armor every single day while trusting God to send the troops and backup we need to win the war.

He never leaves us without the armor we need to win every time.

Chat with someone who cares.

If you feel like you’re fighting a losing battle, you’re not alone. And you shouldn’t try to do it alone. Winning the spiritual war often takes a whole army, so be sure to talk to someone. If you’re ready to talk, speak with an expert, a pastor, minister or a friend.

Copyright © 2021 by MXTV @ https://mxtv.org/dressed-for-battle-winning-the-spiritual-war/. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.