Spiritual Warfare

The Everyday Battles of the Spiritual Foot Soldier!

"Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight."

Psalms 144:1

Since the dawn of time, men have fought against other men! Any struggle between two different entities involving opposite interests, where one seeks to destroy or conquer the other is war! The Bible declares that the Church is in a spiritual conflict, where the enemy, having an opposite interest and bent on conquest is a highly skilled and highly evolved opponent. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world . . ." A principality is a territory or jurisdiction of a prince and/or ruler possessing power or having controlling authority over a particular territory.

Powers reveal to us that there is a formation of both rank and file. Not only to form and move in ranks, but to take or have a position in relation to one another. The word rank means to determine the relative position of, even a degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence. Based on scripture it is quite clear that there is a distinction made between the powers. The kingdom of darkness operates at many different levels of power, authority, influence, and wickedness; much like any government having both a civil authority and the presence of military might. Much is said about wrestling with territorial spirits and rightly so. It is very important that we confront and pull down ideological strongholds set up in high places that dominate the world view through the philosophies of men (doctrines of demons) that influence both culture and society.

These territorial spirits represent the hierarchy of dark beings who are strategically assigned by Satan to influence and control nations, cities and governments. These territorial spirits amass forces to different regions throughout the world to fortify distinct levels of evil. Even in light of the revealed importance of understanding the spiritual warfare which is at hand: most Christians will never engage themselves in this type of warfare!

When I think about military strategy, I think of a location some where way behind the front lines where those who are in charge of military operations (the higher ranked field officers) are making important decisions about battle tactics and planning their next strategic move. While these things are going on, the common foot soldier is oblivious to the greater battle tactics at work, and the bigger spiritual picture at large! The best way to understand this is to take a closer look at the warfare of the common foot soldier of the First World War of the twentieth century; which I believe, best exemplifies the type of struggle that the believer will encounter in their everyday Christian experience.

World War I began in the summer of 1914 (the fighting ceased in late fall of 1918) and approximately eight million uniformed soldiers from both sides had lost their lives in the greatest struggle that the world had ever seen. The nations of the world that took part in this conflict of epic proportion paid a price of nearly $200,000,000,000. Its results were so horrific that many people believed it was a war to end all wars! Both sides alike suffered so unimaginably that it was hard to believe the countries of the world would ever consider taking up arms again. The most notable event or events that took place in this war were the battles fought on all fronts. In the early days of the conflict, three great battle lines were established. Month after month, entrenched armies held their positions hoping to wear down the other side. The line which held the closest attention of the world was the Western Front. This line extended for about 450 miles from the English Channel to Switzerland. All along that winding track were an opposing bulwark of men and weapons of war. At one point, there were 200 miles of trenches on a line of only twelve miles long. After about three years of war, no point in the line had been compromised as far as twenty miles by either side. Nearly one million soldiers had died in an attempt to charge these lines to gain a strategic advantage.

The actual fighting took the form of artillery warfare and/or the application of heavy weaponry and constant movements back and forth by both sides. The shelling or bombing would go on for hours only to be followed by a series of attacks on both sides in a hand-to-hand combat while the shelling proceeded. The trenches would empty in an attempt to push forward, hoping to catch the enemy off guard, forcing the other side to surrender ground. This type of warfare was agonizingly painful and progressed very slowly.

For many Christians today the battles that they encounter are much like that of the soldier of the First World War: a deeply entrenched situation in their own personal lives against an unseen enemy in their own back yard. Most Christians are unaware of the spiritual battle at large taking place right over their heads! For many Christians the battling against territorial spirits and the pulling down of ideological strongholds are left up to the more experienced intercessor or to the higher ranked field officers, namely the elders or spiritual leadership of the church. For the majority of the Body of Christ, the focus of spiritual warfare has been reduced to only what they can see right in front of them or experience directly within their own person. The battle is truly fought and won in the trenches! This artillery fire (intercession and/or prayer warfare) is only as good as the army's ability to advance forward to take new territory (the increased ability to develop and maintain a deeper commitment and a greater consecration to the living God). Until the spiritual foot soldier (the Church at large) learns how to fight and win the everyday battle that is taking place in the trenches (the need for personal spiritual victory); involvement in the bigger spiritual picture and the use of bigger spiritual battle tactics and strategies are virtually unattainable. As the church gathers to pray we begin to send artillery fire in the direction of the enemy's camp and begin to liberate the souls of men; but when we leave there: Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to the trench I go! If we are to successfully engage in a heavenly spiritual military campaign; or a heavily aggressive warfare in high places: an attack against this hierarchy of DARK BEINGS, the enemy in Heavenly Realms: we must first fight and win this personal spiritual battle, the WAR in the trenches!


Piercing This Present Darkness

We view much of what SATAN does in the realm of the spirit in the natural circumstances of this world, in all that is negative. It is evident that both SIN and its byproducts, have increased over the past years. Demonic activity has expanded in several areas: murder, sorcery (drugs), witchcraft (rebellion and the trafficking with familiar spirits), abortion, homosexuality and lesbianism (the spirit of perversion), violence, sex, the devaluation of life by our youth and so much more. All are the byproducts of sin, sickness, poverty, and the fallen condition of the natural man which operates under the curse of the Law. These Satanic Strongmen have sought to secure their positions over the cities of our world! These societal circumstances are signs which signal or are indications of supernatural intrusion into the world of men. The Bible calls these societal circumstances and this supernatural intrusion: spiritual wickedness set up in the high places of the earth. However, they do not operate alone in the heavens. There will always be our God and the Angelic Host who are their direct opposition ministering on our behalf. We, who live in the earth equipped with the WORD of God and the power of His Spirit, are entrusted with the responsibility of encountering/overcoming the Powers of Darkness. A military build up (an increase of spiritual forces) is taking place on both fronts, in the Kingdom of God and Satan's Kingdom. There is a Move of God in the earth to increase PRAYER, not just petitioning prayer but intercession!

"For our STRUGGLE is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS."

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

". . . according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR (spiritual forces of evil at work in the atmosphere), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lust of our flesh . . ."

Ephesians 2:2-3 KJ

Our STRUGGLE is against SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL AT WORK IN THE ATMOSPHERE. The word FORCE speaks of a VIOLENT ENERGY pressed or moving in a particular direction. The word STRUGGLE means: VIOLENT EFFORT! The Bible indicates that the CHURCH is in a VIOLENT STRUGGLE against a VIOLENT FORCE! We are being OPPOSED by an EVIL VIOLENT ENERGY pressed or moving in our direction and only a VIOLENT EFFORT on our part CAN RESIST IT! The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and/or is under attack, and only the VIOLENT in response will TAKE IT BY FORCE that which the enemy has UNLAWFULLY TAKEN or STOLEN. The word VIOLENT means: marked by EXTREME FORCE or sudden INTENSE ACTIVITY or FERVOR (Matt.11:12).

The AIR WAR: combating the spiritual forces of evil at work in the atmosphere right above our heads, takes place as we WRESTLE AGAINST DARKNESS SET UP IN HEAVENLY REALMS, as well as resisting unseen forces that are at WORK: infiltrating, controlling, and dictating the systems of this WORLD. Satan/Lucifer is the Prince and DRIVING FORCE behind this POWER OF THE AIR (kingdom of darkness), affecting the mass of air surrounding or circling the earth (the first heaven) being dominated by evil powers constantly at work to deceive and manipulate unsuspecting MINDS. Intercession will STRIKE AT THE ATMOSPHERE! This AIR STRIKE works to oppose every opposition, and to resist every resistance that is at work to contort, distort or twist out of shape the moving of God's manifested purpose in the earth. The purpose for the AIR STRIKE is to affect this AIR MASS surrounding the earth! The AIR STRIKE is the means or is that which intervenes to cause to happen; or to cause to come into being by prevailing over obstacles (to effect or influence: the power to bring about a result: something that inevitably follows through cause or agency). The Seer or Intercessor must understand that their very function in the earth is to cause to happen by force or in a very violent manner through intercession the accomplished purpose of God. This purpose must be expressed in prayer by the power of His LOVE and MERCY (the blood) manifesting it by His PRE-DETERMINED and PRE-PRESCRIBED DESIGN. "The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins". I Pet.4:7-8 NLT. This phrase fervent charity found in the Bible means an unending generosity toward our brothers in Christ and fellow man.

POSITIVE AIR STRIKE: WE SPEAK to loose the POWER and FAVOR of God in the ATMOSPHERE and into that particular situation being prayed for.

NEGATIVE AIR STRIKE: WE SPEAK into the atmosphere to bind, even PREVENT the activity of the Powers of Darkness from operating. Even as we begin to SPEAK with UNKNOWN TONGUES (praying in the Holy Ghost) we are STRIKING THE ATMOSPHERE with the Will of God; penetrating behind enemy lines and creating a WEDGE (opening up a way) in the atmosphere to STRIKE AT THE ENEMIES ENDEAVORS. As we pray in the Spirit we are speaking to God DIRECTLY THROUGH THE ENEMIES CAMP!


Three Basic Steps to Encountering the Enemy

Prayer-Repentance: If we have sinned or trespassed in any way whereby the enemy has grounds to afflict us: we can easily go to the Father in Jesus Name and put all this under the blood of Jesus Christ asking God's forgiveness and mercy (I John 2:1-2; Heb.4:14-16). This removes Satan's ground against us as we believe and receive God's forgiveness. It is also possible that Satan has attacked us because of sin in the Body of Christ itself, and as we are ONE BODY, if there is sin in one, it's sin in all: meaning, Satan will have an opportunity against you or anyone because of a CORPORATE SIN CONDITION even though you did nothing wrong to merit troubles (the sin of Achan- Joshua 7:1-26). But here too, we can go to the Father in Jesus name and confess this "hidden sin" asking God's forgiveness doing what Jesus did on the Cross (Father forgive them for they no not what they do), and PLACE this sin under the Blood of Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness. Repenting like this can only be done with FAITH WORKING BY LOVE. We need to IDENTIFY with the HIDDEN SINNER, and take that sin as ours, and confess it as ours by love! One of the most common CARNAL RESPONSES to a sinner visible in the church is that of brethren disassociating from other brethren, withdrawing their love, and turning there backs on them because of some fault or error. If one sins we all sin. We are one body made up of many members and this is an inescapable reality. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are SPIRITUAL, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (love)." Gal. 6:1-2

Prayer-Intercession: Once we have REPENTED, we may now begin praying and asking for the Father's intervention: mercy and help in how we might deal with the attacks of the enemy. We need to FIRST ASK GOD'S HELP to know how to pray: so take time to pray in this way until it becomes clear how to pray! Then pray accordingly: PRAYING TO GET/OBTAIN AUTHORITY WHEREBY WE MIGHT DEAL WITH THE SPIRIT BEHIND AN ATTACK OR TROUBLE! In this we continue to ask for God's help. ". . . for we know not what we should pray for as we ought . . ." ". . . Lord, teach us to pray . . ." (Rom. 8:26; Luke 11:1).

Remember, prayer accumulates in Heaven against the day when it is needed!

Prayer-Warfare: after we have prayed for a time and come to KNOW WITHIN that God has granted our request, and has given the enemy into our hands: we can now take on the Armor of God and move in DIRECT WARFARE PRAYER straight against the spirit behind the attack, and doing so in Jesus Christ Name! Here WE are to pray with BOLDNESS and AUTHORITY, even asking the Father to send His WARRING ANGELS to deal with the UNCLEAN SPIRIT afflicting you or anyone else. You have authority in Christ to BIND that "spirit" and COMMAND it to leave, MOVING "in the spirit" to DIRECTLY CONFRONT IT and make use of the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AGAINST IT. The PSALMS are especially excellent in providing ways on how to pray this kind of WARFARE PRAYER!

***** It is not recommended to take direct prayer action but to avoid "taking authority" over the enemy in a given situation until, by the Spirit of God you know the Will of God in and for that given situation! Removing the grounds and opportunity that the enemy has (prayer-repentance) is the first step toward direct prayer-warfare, the second step being prayer-intercession (asking God for His help, direction and His Commissioning to step in and to confront "in the spirit" this particular situation in need of change). Assuming authority in areas we don't have can be dangerous, even fatal; unless Jesus gives us the commission to take direct action in prayer-warfare, holding to intercession, by asking God for His Divine Intervention must be the course of action until otherwise revealed! Keep in mind that this is dealing directly with those things outside of our immediate power and authority to directly take responsibility for, where there are others involved exercising free-will to either embrace or reject the word, will and ways of God. When it comes to that which is directly under our personal responsibility, we have spiritual authority to directly confront: we can immediately move-in and take authority without hesitation; but if this does not work, perhaps we have given the enemy of our souls grounds and opportunity to be where he is, so for a believer to follow these various steps to move to take direct prayer action would behoove him. FACE IT! WITHOUT AN INTIMATE DAILY WALK AND/OR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, WHERE WE HAVE LEARNED TO HEAR HIS VOICE, AND HAVE LEARNED TO YIELD TO HIS WILL: EVERYTHING WE DO WE ARE ONLY GUESSING AT WHAT GOD HAS PURPOSED AND IS DOING IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION!


The Double-Edged Sword

"Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince (Satan; god) of this world (system) cometh (is actively present), and HATH NOTHING IN ME (no place in me to hold in possession)."

John 14:30 KJ

The AIR STRIKE is obvious to many who know that they have AN ADVERSARY in the person of Lucifer or Satan. But the GROUND ASSAULT represents an even GREATER ENEMY! The source of our greatest struggle comes from the WAR that battles within our own fallen human nature; and in turn, WARS against His Divine Nature at work within the innermost being of our new creation. We are our own worst enemy! The Prophet/Intercessor must first DECLARE WAR ON their own SIN and self-centeredness and DISUNITY before considering/thinking of confronting dark forces and the spiritual wickedness that is situated (established) as a foothold in those higher spiritual dimensions (foothold: a position/location usable as a base of operation for further advancement). A successful spiritual warrior will realize that the Sword of the Spirit has two-edges, or two sides to its warfare: the AIR STRIKE and the GROUND ASSAULT (Eph.6:11, 17; Heb.4:12). His prophetic people must stay in tip top shape and ready at any given moment to wage effective spiritual warfare against an enemy attempting to establish a beachhead within the inner-life of every believer (beachhead: an area on a hostile shore occupied to secure further landing of troops and supplies). The consecrated life is both the preparation and strength of the warrior's position in Christ while in SPIRITUAL COMBAT (a life that abides under the power of the blood, and saturated/filled with the perpetual filling of the Eternal Spirit). The AIR STRIKE is only made possible through the POWER of the Holy Spirit and through a built-up inner-man able to sustain the activity of the Holy Spirit's movements in the Place of Prevailing Prayer. The lack of any of these two components (disciplines) in our spiritual contending will cause us to pray amiss or to come up short! Both the AIR STRIKE and the GROUND ASSAULT must be considered at all times if the prophet or intercessor will be successful in advancing forward in SPIRITUAL COMBAT (Heb.12:4-11; I Pet.4:1-2; I John5:18).

Foot notes: (a). reference: The World Book Encyclopedia: WXYZ, 8557 to 9012. Copyright 1959 by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago 54, Illinois: The introduction to the section dealing with Spiritual Warfare you will find a large body of information taken right out of this resource material on pages 8860-8875. (b). reference: Spiritual Warfare Manuel: "The Making of a Spiritual Warrior" First edition, by Pastor Curtis L. Schulze. The FOREWORD: written by Bishop Willie Blount, Founder & CEO of Divine Life Publications. You will find that I have quoted parts of the Foreword of this book and have inserted it into the revised edition under the subheading "Piercing This Present Darkness". (c). reference: The Staff and Sword Ministry: by Chuck-JOHNEL Youngbrandt "Spiritual Warfare - Self Defense" December 23, 1991 Page 1-8 (1-24); the three basic steps to encountering the enemy is coming out of this resource material.