As a prayer warrior, would you consider yourself a good “wrestler?” Or do you run at the first sign of contention, having lost battles too often? In order to fight effectively, we must know clearly who our enemy is and what our weapons are, removing all common ground with the enemy.
I hope that you, along with all other believers and intercessors, can recognize yourself in these words of Paul:
” For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).
When Paul says “we,” this is all-inclusive language. He means every believer in Christ, regardless of gender, age, physique or fighting ability—we are all called to be wrestlers in God’s kingdom.
We do not get to decide whether or not we will fight. We belong to the Lord Jesus, and that fact automatically sets us in opposition to His foes.
We were born in the mist of battle and we were born for war.
Principalities and Powers
What are we fighting?
We are contending against the powers of darkness wherever we find them. We fight them even though it is difficult to see them.
For the most part, they are invisible. Whether or not we have been graced with the gift of discerning of spirits (see 1 Cor. 12:10), we are fighting principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness.
We do not wrestle against flesh-and-blood people. But be certain that we do wrestle.
Pulling Down Strongholds
Our role in the fight has been specified for us, with divine assistance guaranteed when we step into our battle position:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
The “weapons of our warfare” do not depend on our own strength, because they are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”
In His strength, we demolish any defensive structure that defies God.
Removing All Common Ground
We must also realize that the greater the spiritual battle, the greater the need for a pure heart and mind.
Holiness is essential if we are to be effective in long-term spiritual warfare.
Psalm 24:3-4a asks us a pertinent question which is followed by the answer: “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”
It takes an internal heart of purity to produce external works of our hands that are acceptable to the Lord.
Could it be that part of the reason Jesus was so effective in spiritual warfare was that He recognized the “law of purification?”
Jesus could stand in complete power and authority to deal effectively with the strongholds of the oppressor because there was no common ground between Him and His adversary.
His heart was pure.
Jesus said to His disciples, “the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me” (John 14:30b).
In his book, Interceding Against the Powers of Darkness, Terry Crist says it well:
“When the devil struck at Jesus, there was nothing whatsoever for him to receive the “hit.” When Satan examined Him, there was nothing for him to find. Jesus and Satan had no relationship to one another, no common ground. There was nothing in Jesus’ life that had agreement with the works of darkness!”
It’s time to fight the good fight of faith, wrestle against the powers of darkness, pull down strongholds and remove every ounce of common ground with the enemy!
Target Practice
Almighty God, I invite You to shine Your searchlight into my heart to reveal old darkness. I want to have no common ground with Satan and his demonic powers. Cleanse me with the blood of Jesus and make me whiter than snow. Help me to grow in wisdom and authority. Assist me as I align myself with Your Word, will and ways so I will grow in greater intimacy with Christ and become more effective in my role in spiritual warfare. Thank You for using me to displace the powers of darkness. In Jesus’ name. Amen and amen! {eoa}
Be sure to tune in to my podcast, “God Encounters Today,” on the Charisma Podcast Network. Click here to subscribe!
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