With some people, spiritual warfare has become nothing more than a “bloodbath” against the devil. Think about it. We are fighting against an enemy who has already been defeated. Does this mean that we get to bypass spiritual warfare altogether? Far from it. Instead, we must learn how to engage darkness biblically—otherwise, we run the risk of falling prey to the serpent’s age-old deceptions.
Your Enemy’s Time-Tested Strategy
The apostle Paul gives us instruction so that we would not be ignorant of his (Satan’s) designs (2 Cor. 2:11, ESV). The NIV uses the word schemes in regard to the enemy’s strategy against you and me.
One of the devil’s ultimate schemes is to keep you ignorant of who you are and what you possess in Christ. In Kyle Winkler’s outstanding new book, Silence Satan, you will receive a Bible-based battle plan that equips you to come against one of Satan’s most prevalent tactics against Christians today: Ignorance of identity.
Your enemy loves to keep you in this place of perpetual struggle, for you are engaging in a war that, in and of your own human strength, you are ill-equipped to win. Truth be told, when it comes down to a person of flesh and blood being pitted against a malevolent spiritual being—the devil/his demons—we will lose every time. It’s simply not a fair fight, as the spiritual will always triumph over the natural.
An Unfair Fight… Fixed at Calvary
But let me tell you about an equally (and far more glorious) unfair fight—one that grants you and I the supernatural advantage. True, as mortal human beings, we stand powerless to prevail against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).
Yet, the same Paul who penned those words (which most of us are familiar with), gives us these essential marching orders: “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10). Especially note the “his might” part. You are not fighting against the enemy in your own limited power or authority; you are coming against a defeated foe clothed in the armor of the very One who defeated him two thousand years ago at Calvary!
This is where Silence Satan has an upper hand over many perspectives on spiritual warfare. Winkler exhibits a profound grasp of the Cross (due to his own personal experience which is outlined in the book’s earlier chapters), and every blessing that God’s grace has bestowed upon us through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. In fact, I’d argue that this is one of the most Christocentric books on spiritual warfare that I have ever come across, and thus, one of the most important. When it’s you against the devil, it will always be a tragic bloodbath; when it’s Jesus against the devil, the fight has already been fixed!
The Key To Victory Is Your Identity in Christ
Silence Satan reminds us that spiritual warfare is not about us trying to fight the devil in our own strength, ability and identity. In Chapter 10, Winkler delivers one of the most profound and refreshing presentations of the Armor of God (from Ephesians 6) that I have read in recent years. He titles it, “The Uniform of the Righteous.” As a mere man or woman, you have no authority against the powers of darkness. You will always fight… and you will always lose… that is, if it is you going into battle without the revelation that you wear a uniform of authority in Christ.
Scripture reminds us that we are clothed in Christ (see Gal. 3:27). Paul tells us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 13:14). Silence Satan is all about practically encouraging you to remember Who Christ is and who you are… in Christ.
Chapter after chapter, Winkler delivers practical, yet powerful strategies that equip Christians to silence Satan in their everyday lives: How to release the power of God’s Word, what it means to renew your mind, sharing testimony, and how to live in your new identity in Christ.
Behold the Lamb
Winkler transparently shares his struggles and journey into spiritual warfare, reminding us all that “beyond the cross is a dangerous place to be.” As noted earlier, this book puts Jesus Christ front and center—in a major way. In an age of compromise and formulaic Christianity, the power and essence of the faith has too often been stripped away. Why? Because many of us have, at one time or another, thought that we were “beyond the cross.” That we graduated past Calvary. It would seem that this is the very place that darkness would love to keep us cornered.
There are no gimmicks here. In fact, his chapter “Behold the Lamb” will absolutely wreck you. Your key to victory is not some principle, formula or strategy. It is the God-man, bloodied and broken upon the Cross. It is in His finished work that you find your true identity. Discover why Jesus’ identity as the Lamb is so significant and how this revelation will transform the way you engage spiritual warfare forever.
Larry Sparks is a conference speaker, blogger, columnist and host of the weekly radio program Voice of Destiny. His new book, Breakthrough Faith: Living a Life Where Anything is Possible, will be released with Destiny Image Publishers on Oct. 21. Featured in Charisma magazine and on CBN’s Spiritual Gifts webcast, Larry is also founder of Equip Culture, a ministry that equips believers with the tools and resources to live victoriously through the supernatural power of God (lawrencesparks.com). You can follow @LarryVSparks on Twitter to receive messages of encouragement and empowerment.
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