Re-Defining Spiritual Warfare :: The Three Essential Battles

Thank you for joining me as I take a deeper look at what has been traditionally called ‘spiritual warfare’. If you missed Part 1 :: Three Problems to Overcome, you can read it here.

So, how can we step into a fuller, deeper understanding of Spiritual Warfare?

Here are Three Essential Battles we need to understand.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ~ Ephesians 2:1-3

1)      The Flesh : Spiritual Warfare involves daily, moment to moment battle against our own flesh. It no longer is our master when we are alive in Christ as the rest of this passage illustrates, yet the on-going struggles of our lives as we wear frail humanity are real. We need to recognize that the effects are insidious in the hollows or our minds and bodies as well as the desires and motives of our hearts.   Knowing this and taking comfort from a Reigning Redeemer, Christ, who is exalted in the Heavens and lives to make intercession for us, keeps us soft, humble, reflective and in desperate need of our Savior.

2)      The World : All around us there is a coursing current that is seeking to pull us into its vortex.  It is also entwined in the structures of every nation and culture. In the West, there are strongholds of materialism, busyness, achievement and many more that wage war against Christ-followers. We need to know our world. To look at it through the lens of citizens of the Kingdom of God where all of our hopes point, and embrace our exile on this earth. Every time that we choose generosity over greed, love over hate, humility over pride, the kingdom of darkness is pushed back and we walk in victory to the glory of Christ.

3)      The Devil : “The Prince of the power of the air” is real. He employs armies of darkness to promote death and hatred. His desire is to consume all that is good. He wants to keep us in fear of death. He crouches as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour and wants to sift us out of God’s hands as wheat. These passages are to strengthen us to fight. The battle at its hideous, grotesque core is an Enemy who wants to destroy all that is good in our lives. And the more passion and desire we have to make Christ known, the deeper his hatred of us, because he ultimately hates the Glory of God.

So, in the end, as we seek to understand Spiritual Warfare, we must know how to battle in each area. We also need to see that the darkness within and without works together under one Destroyer. But, we are not to be discouraged. No. The Holy Spirit longs to be our guide. He desires to lead us to a deeper dependence upon our God and Savior who has gone before and gives us everything we need to know the victory that is all because of Him and all for Him.

About Abby

I am wife to a wonderful man, mama to three precious now-little-but-soon-will-not-be loves. Each born in a different place--two states including 2 states and 2 countries. I am a farm girl who found her heart in the city. I can now claim fluency in 3 languages :: English, Spanish & Hungarian.This combined with the all-too-true 'mommy brain' explains much regarding my mental state most days;) I am a sojourner longing for Home. Yet, in my messy and broken, I embrace the moments given with all I have. I am seeking, praying, and learning again and again that it is for His Glory I live. My prayer is that my little life would make much of Him! I write regularly at Abigail Alleman.

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