How to Recognize Spiritual Warfare

Originally published Monday, 14 September 2015.

       www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org 

If you are a Christian, guess what? You are going to experience spiritual warfare. Yep! And now that you know, that’s only half the battle. The next step is recognizing how to deal with it when it strikes!     

Whether you believe it or not, we do have a real enemy. Actually, the moment you get out of bed to move further in faith, your next assignment, a new level, or your destiny, Satan will be right there to wage war against you, because he hates progress. He doesn’t want to see you grow further in your walk with Christ, help other people, trust God deeper, or fulfill your destiny.

And now that you know this, what are you going to do about it? Pause and consider. I hope you said, “Fight!” If so, that’s exactly right! Fight on your knees in prayer. Fight in your “War Room” (watch that movie). Fight by pressing deeper into your word. Fight by moving forward in faith in spite of the opposition or distractions. And fight by responding properly when your emotions are out of whack.   

YES! As women, we have to learn this one! When we are busy doing things for our families, home life, work, ministry, or personal spiritual growth, Satan will definitely try to cause problems by using our emotions to get us to sin against God. He will also do this to try to kill our witness. He knows that when we are emotionally high, that is prime time to get us to act out of character or make foolish decisions. Not to mention when the pressure is on!

So be sensitive to your emotions, but also when you feel immense pressure, LOOK OUT! Recognize what’s happening, because you could be entering into spiritual warfare. Pay attention to what’s happening in your life and examine yourself. Are you advancing the Kingdom of God? Are you active in your church? Are you helping your pastor succeed? Are you stepping out in faith for something? Are you taking time to pray more for your family or others? Are you reading more of your word? Are you trusting God more? Are you stepping into new territory? Is God opening new doors for you? All of these things can bring on a spiritual attack.

The key is recognizing it and fighting right. You can’t win a spiritual battle with fleshly weaponry. You can’t win it by having a bad attitude, complaining, losing your temper, throwing things, talking to people crazy, withholding affection, holding a grudge against people, or giving people the silent treatment. That is not godly. Ephesians 6:12 says, “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.” So don’t fight people, because they are not the real enemy.

You have to fight it spiritually. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm.” So put on right armor like the belt of truth (be honest in all you do), breastplate of righteousness (live right), the gospel of peace, shield of faith (to protect you from doubt and unbelief), helmet of salvation (guard your mind), the sword of the Spirit (the word of God), and prayer. (See Ephesians 6:14-18)

Lastly, bring in reinforcements! Because you do NOT have to fight this spiritual battle alone. You have God, Jesus interceding for you, and you also have prayer warriors and people who are standing by to help you. Personally, I was going through something myself that was really hard for me and I couldn’t understand why things were so tough for me. I had already been praying about it and asking God for help. And that’s when He placed my mentor on my heart to call.

When I talked to her, she was able to speak the truth in love, remind me that it was spiritual warfare, encourage me, and pray for me. What an amazing woman of God! Not only that, but after that, as I was driving up the road (after our conversation), I saw a sign on a neighboring church that read, “Be still and know that I am God.” Talk about a SUPERNATURAL God! That was indeed divine intervention! I knew it was an answer to everything that was going on in my life at the time.

So don’t go it alone. Seek God to help you, and pull in some prayer warriors! Let them know where you are and that you need assistance. Call a mentor, a godly friend, your Pastor’s wife, or you can even email me (your virtual mentor @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com). ;-) Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who is going to give you some good godly advice. Whatever you do, recognize the spiritual attack and win the battle! God’s got your back!

A good book to help you this week is, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” by Joyce Meyer. Buy it here TODAY by clicking on the link!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye

**Question of the week: Have you been experiencing spiritual warfare lately? Do you know why? How are you handling the pressure?

Also, if you need prayer or some good godly advice, write in and email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. Talk to you soon!  

Thanks for reading this post! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened. If you have any comments or questions feel free to leave it here or email me @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com and I’ll get back with you promptly. Don’t forget to visit my website @ www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org for additional growth in your faith and leave a donation if Inside Out with Courtnaye has been a blessing to you. Also, “LIKE” my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye, and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Thanks and God bless you my sister!

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