We have an unseen enemy. Many times, we don’t realize where the attack launched at us is really coming from. The bible tells us…we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the darkness of this present world (Ephesians 6:12). When we understand who our true enemy is, it makes it easier for us to forgive those who harm us. Satan uses people against us. He usually tells them lies about us, in order to cause them to resent us. He is described as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). He not only accuses us to God, he also accuses us to one another.
We are involved in spiritual warfare whether we want to be or not. Once you became a child of God by being born-again, you changed sides in this spiritual warfare. Satan now considers you, his enemy. He knows that you have been given power to cast him out (his demonic spirits), bind him, rebuke him. I have shared the story where God used me to cast demon(s) out of a church member who was using profanity and rolling around on the pew. This gave me confidence to know that Jesus has power over satan. To know that when we stand in faith and use the name of Jesus, he has to flee.
When an individual enlists in an army, they usually go through what is known as boot camp. Boot camp is where soldiers learn to use their weapons. They are taught tactical warfare. They are taught how to be disciplined while fighting. We also have to go to a spiritual boot camp to learn how to fight the good fight of faith. We need to learn how to recognize the unseen enemy in situations and what the proper response should be. Sometimes we need to pray, sometimes we need to rebuke, sometimes we need to bind, sometimes we need to cast out. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). The bible is our source to let us know what weaponry we have at our disposal. The bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God. This armor is protective and comes with a sword which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
If we do not take the time to prepare for spiritual warfare by reading the bible and learning what our rights are, we will be no match for the devil whose purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He is a defeated foe who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may destroy.
Lately, the Lord has been revealing to me more, and more the importance of love. Love is what will allow us to be united in the body of Christ. It is the glue that holds the church together. It is the most important thing to have. Love will keep God’s army together as we fight the forces of evil.