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
Warrior;
In his book, ‘How Great Generals Win’, Bevin Alexander tells of “The General Who Beat Hannibal.” One of Hannibal’s most effective tactics was the use of elephants in battle. For years Roman soldiers and horses were ineffective against the elephants, that is until the Roman General Scipio Africanus made a brilliant decision to startle Hannibal’s elephants with trumpets and cause them to retreat in fear. Until the defeat of Hannibal of Carthage, the Romans could not make the move toward a ‘World Empire’. What is ‘the enemy’s greatest weapon formed against you? What fear, doubt, limited belief system is the devil taunting, or tormenting you with? We must fight, AS IF, the Battle is the LORDS!
Leader, like Hannibal, Satan uses intimidating tools to win spiritual battles against us. We must stand against him with weapons that even he cannot counter: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Prayer is also one of the most important tools. These are described in Ephesians 6:10-18 as the whole armor of God. Of note regarding the armor is that there is no armor for one’s backside. We are to remember WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST! For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) The prophet Ezekiel was told that we were to be made NEW: And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Conduit, we must remember 2 key verses in the BIBLE to fight the good fight! First; But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Second; And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (1 John 4:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:9-10) As a Follower of CHRIST, we are NEVER to turn and run from Satan’s attacks, or WE WILL be exposed. No, we are to boldly face Satan, and fight in the name of Jesus Christ. As we read in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Be like the prophet ISAIAH and KNOW; No weapon formed against me shall prosper. And every tongue which rises against me in judgment, GOD shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. The Battle is the LORDS!
