“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,
because the one who is in you is greater
than the one who is in the world.”
(I John 4:4)
America has been engaged in wars and skirmishes around the world for years. Today, we are fighting on two primary fronts: Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s been a difficult war because the enemy we are fighting doesn’t always fight fair. They don’t adhere to standard rules of engagement. Our soldiers might encounter the enemy any time, any place, and in any circumstance.
Whether we know it or not, as Christians, we are engaged in a war ourselves. The difficult aspect of this war is that we can’t see our enemy. Our enemy is spiritual. We are fighting a spiritual battle. And we might encounter our enemy any time, any place, and in any circumstance.
So, let me suggest an 8-fold strategy for spiritual warfare…
- Know your enemy – Satan.
- Know your enemy’s tactics – temptation, selfishness, pride, divisiveness, apathy, etc.
- Know your own areas of vulnerability – anger, greed, lust, pride, etc.
- Stand firm in your faith! – Always remember you are a child of God!
- Saturate your mind with God’s Word – The Bible is your primary spiritual weapon!
- When tempted, RUN! (II Timothy 2:22)
- When you blow it, CONFESS! – Keep short accounts with God! (I John 1:9)
- Pray! Pray!! Pray!!!
The good news is that Jesus defeated Satan at the cross. You & I are on the winning side! The one in us (Jesus) is far greater than the one in the world (Satan). Victory is ours through Jesus Christ!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.
I recognize that I am in a spiritual war, and I can’t fight the battle alone.
I need your wisdom. I need your guidance. I need your strength.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
