Blessings people of God!
As most of us are already aware, spiritual warfare is at an all-time high and we will continue to see it intensify as we get closer and closer to the end of time, amen?
So today I wanted to talk about 3 ways we can recognize when spiritual warfare is at work in our own lives and how to resist it.
I titled this word: How to recognize spiritual warfare in your own life (part 1) Prophetic Word: and resist because I believe that God is going to lead me into speaking to you more about spiritual warfare over the next few weeks or so.
Why? Because as I stated earlier, spiritual warfare is soaring like never before in the Body of Christ. Hallelujah!
Guys, I believe this word will benefit anyone that will watch and listen because as a human race, we all have or will experience spiritual warfare at some point in our lives at different intensity levels, amen?
Also, you all know my stance! Test the spirit behind this word as stated in (1 John 4:1) amen? I also have a video in the description box that will teach you how to go to God in prayer concerning prophetic messages, okay?
We will read scripture today so feel free to get your bibles, or cell phones. Amen?
People of God, I want to start off by defining what spiritual warfare is.
There are a few scriptures we can refer to but for the sake of time, we are only going to read Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
I am reading the KJV today. So in Ephesians 6:12 it says:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
And then if we go over to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 it says:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
So as we can see from these two scriptures, spiritual warfare does not come from the flesh or the people that we see but it stems from the devil, spiritual forces of evil that we cannot see in heavenly places.
Spiritual warfare stems from the devil that pretends to have our best interest in mind but, in reality he comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Spiritual warfare stems from satan’s deception when he lies to or minds, situations, or circumstances which at the end of the day, derail us from receiving Gods best for us (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Satan’s lies whether directly or indirectly, can lead us down the wrong path as it relates to how we think, how we perceive ourselves, our level of confidence, or how we view the people to whom we are connected.
For example, a lie from satan can encourage us to walk away from our faith and go back into the world to do the things that we used to do.
A lie from satan can push to go back to a way of thinking or an activity that God already delivered us from, such as drinking, smoking ok, profanity, promiscuity, depression, self-destructive behaviors, you know and the list goes on. Amen?
And for those of us that have not left the faith, the devils lies can also cause us to question God. In other words, we question where God is concerning our circumstances. We question why God is not doing something about the issues and problems we have in our lives or with other people. Amen?
The Lord says that even some of you watching today have been led to believe by satan that God could never forgive or welcome you back.
Why? Because you made a mistake right, or because you struggle to trust God. You are one that tends to doubt that God is really who he says he is.
But child of God, the Lord says to open your heart and mind as you listen. God says to really try to listen carefully. God says it is not enough to hear what he is saying today. Why? Because hearing takes no effort. But listening is intentional and when you listen, you will have a desire to retain what you hear, you will be able to receive Gods reassurance in your heart and in your mind, and hold onto to what God is truly saying to you. Praise God. Hallelujah!
People of God, now that we recognize that spiritual warfare stems from the satan and his lies, let us review 3 ways that we can resist warfare.
Now some of yall might get mad because you may feel convicted of what I am about to say BUT the Lord says that this is truth for many of you that are watching.
God says 1st, to read you bibles. God says to pick up your bibles and read. God says some of you have not read your bibles in days, weeks, months, or at all. The Lord says that some of you have depending on what the Pastors, prophets, teachers, or other servants of the Lord have been saying to you BUT You child of God have not read your bible for your-self. The Lord says reading your bible is detrimental to your spiritual posture.
Why?
Because you can only know the truth when read your bible and it is the truth in the word of God that will set you free. Hallelujah! (John 8:32)
When we spend time reading our bibles, we are actively searching for what is true because the scriptures are inspired by God right?
Therefore, listen carefully. When we apply what the bible shows us about God, we are submitting ourselves to God. And as a result, we can apply the truth that is written in the word of God, and be able to resist the devil and his lies, amen? (James 4:7)
The 2nd way to resist spiritual warfare is to be vigilant and alert.
Why?
Because the bible says that satan is always looking for ways to misrepresent the good things that God has created. satan is always looking for ways to draw us into some kind of spiritual battle, right? (1 Peter 5:8)
For example, some of you may be married to your kingdom spouse but maybe the devil is trying to paint a gruesome picture of your spouse, which is causing you to be at odds with your spouse. And this is even though you know that God is the one that sent your spouse.
Or maybe the Lord laid it upon your heart to pursue ministry, to pursue business, music, to pursue writing, or some other endeavor using the gifts that God has given you but the enemy says that you are not equipped, which has caused you abandon what will bring God glory. And this is even though God says that you are equipped. Right?
But if we go to Ephesians 6:11-18, we will see that God gives us the ability to fight against powers of evil because of the power that is in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!
How do we know this?
It says in Ephesians
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Following these steps will help us to always be alert to the enemies devices. Praise God.
And finally, the Lord says that we should speak life into ourselves instead of curses. God says that many of us have a habit of helping the devil curse us, helping the devil to lies to us, helping the devil to condemn ourselves.
What does God mean by that?
Well, some of you are giving yourselves a diagnoses based upon worldly standards when you say, I can’t do that. I don’t have the strength. I’m not good enough, I will never make it. I will never get out debt or poverty. I will never get well. I will always be sick. God will never love me. I can’t seem to do anything right. I am risk of cancer because my Mother had it. I will never get married. I cannot have kids. And the list goes on….
God says instead of you feeding yourself these lies, speak life into your situation.
God says, just because the Drs report said, just because your mother said, just because your friend said, Just because your situation says, IT DOES NOT MEAN it is what God says about you or your circumstance!
People of God, do you remember the story about Jesus when he was in the flesh and how he was put into a difficult place of being tempted by the devil. And the devil was trying to feed Jesus lies by distorting the word of God.
But despite the devils efforts, Jesus recalled Gods promises and responded with verses that showed the truth about God?
Well, that is what the Lord says we should be doing too. We should allow Gods word to be our truth. We should speak life into our own lives by quoting the word of God. We should preach to ourselves by repeating the promises of God into our lives. Hallelujah!
People of God remember, the Lord knows this all easier said than done but remember, Jesus defeated sin by his death and resurrection and one day all this warfare is going to be over finally, at Christs return.
So that is the word concerning how to recognize spiritual warfare and how to resist it.
I hope that you were able to receive some insight here today and as I mentioned earlier, I do believe I will be back with more words concerning spiritual warfare that will hopefully help you during your walk with Jesus Christ. Stay tuned and make sure that you are subscribed so that you will receive notifications of my next video release.
By: Shaneika Byars-Glover (April 4, 2022)
