Navigating Spiritual Warfare Without Being Weird
There are all kinds of deliverance ministries out there, most should be avoided
Navigating the spiritual side of Christianity can be tricky, especially when it comes to understanding spiritual warfare and deliverance. So many faithful believers in Jesus check their brains at the door when they begin to deal with spiritual matters, especially dark spiritual matters. Just in case you don’t read this entire article I want you to leave understanding this, the same Jesus who saves you also delivers you. You don’t need to check your relationship with Jesus at the door and become some sort of spiritual warrior to resist the forces of evil. Let’s break down explore how we can effectively handle spiritual warfare and live in the victory that Jesus Christ has already secured for us.
The foundation of the respective spiritual warfare is not becoming some sort of spiritual ninja. The foundation of effect of spiritual warfare is making Christ the center of your life. This is far less complicated than the spiritual warfare gurus make it. It comes down to a commitment to living free from sin and lies, living life in a community of believers, and focusing on the truth and teachings of Jesus. When Jesus has the first place in our lives everything else falls into its rightful place.
Misconceptions About Spiritual Warfare
Many believers hold misconceptions about spiritual warfare, often the associate it with strange or even un-biblical practices. No doubt this is been promulgated by ministers who specialize in “spiritual warfare.” These folks are often so focused on the devil they can’t even see Jesus. In my experience, you get what you focus on.
If you want a life of chaos and warfare, then follow those people down that crazy road. I believe there’s a better way.
It’s super important to approach spiritual warfare with a balanced perspective, rooted in Scripture, avoiding weird or mystic rituals that promise powers that only Jesus holds. In other words, don’t abandon your relationship with Jesus to go off into spiritual warfare. These practices look more like Harry Potter than Paul and Peter.
Get this into your spirit, God is not calling you to defeat the enemy He already defeated on the cross. He is calling you to walk in the victory He has already purchased.
Two Practical Steps to Walk in Victory
In Colossians 3, Paul gives us and often ignored key to winning the fight against false Gospels and lies of the devil. He breaks down to groups of sins that ensnare Christians and enslave them to the powers of evil. In Paul’s exhortation to the church in Colossae he lumps the sins in the two groups, sins of desire and sins of disunity. Depending on your tradition you probably focus on one but not the other but these are two sides of the same freedom coin.
Fleeing the Sins of Desire
You can scream at the devil all you want. You can plead the blood of Jesus and claim all of the armor of God. You can pull down strongholds and stand on God’s word. But none of that will give you victory over the sins of desire. Paul told Timothy to flee youthful lust. This is how you fight this warfare. You run away from it.
You have to make distance between you and those disordered desires that draw you away from the purpose of God in your life. Those things need to become foreign to you and the only way that can happen is through staying away from it. Sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, and greed are just some of the sins of desire that Paul enumerates. The only way to fight these is to run away from anything that makes you desire them.
Certainly the enemy will create a strong hold in the midst of our disordered desires, and we may need someone to pray for us, but lasting freedom from these snares of the devil come from consistently and regularly running away from them. You have to create distance between you and the sins.
The sins defile you and create a stronghold of the enemy.
Putting to Death Sins of Disunity
Lots of spiritual warfare comes against those sins of desire but a significant aspect of spiritual warfare that does not get enough attention are the behaviors that cause disunity within the body of Christ. Anger, wrath, slander, and lying for selfish gain not only defile us but they disrupt the harmony of the body of Christ.
This is the work of the devil. This is the greater manifestation of evil in the church.
These sins of disunity are even more defiling than the sins of desire because they are rooted in pride. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Living with integrity and righteousness will manifest as you addressing conflicts directly and constructively, fostering an environment of transparency and honesty, and being humble enough to listen when others say you are wrong.
This is the opposite of everything the devil stands for. As James wrote, where there is jealousy and strife, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.
I have sadly witnessed people who were once walking with the Lord turn into gossips and slanders overcome by the work of darkness because they did not have the integrity to recognize their own selfish ambition in deal with their own heart issues openly and with honesty. They project their problems on to others, tear apart the body of Christ, and fulfill the purpose of the evil one in their lives.
You can yell at the devil all you want, but if you do not put to death these sins of disunity, the enemy is not going anywhere.
The Power of Integrity and Righteousness
Overcoming personal struggles and offenses starts with a transparent and repentant heart. Being honest and trustworthy strengthens our community and makes it more resilient against spiritual attacks. Being open about her struggles in seeking repentance within our church community fosters an environment of healing and growth. Supporting one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and experiencing collective deliverance is God’s desire for our lives.
Building strong authentic relationships with others requires living with integrity and righteousness. Being honest and trustworthy strengthens our communities and makes them more resilient against spiritual attacks.
The Importance of Word and Spirit
To stand firm in spiritual warfare, it is vital to be deeply rooted in both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The Bible provides the truth and guidelines for living a victorious life, while the Holy Spirit empowers and guides us daily.
Beware of the allure of quick spiritual fixes and superficial experiences. True spiritual growth is a process that requires consistent effort and dedication. It’s through regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit that we can build a strong spiritual foundation that not only sets us free, keeps us free.
The Transformative Power of Jesus Christ
Ultimately, the key to spiritual warfare and deliverance lies in the transformative power of Jesus Christ. He has already won the victory over sin and the enemy. Our role is to walk in this victory by maintaining a close, personal connection with Him.
This involves daily surrender, worship, and obedience to His leading. As we draw nearer to Jesus, we experience genuine freedom, gratitude, and the ability to discern and reject deceptive teachings.
Walking in Victory
Spiritual warfare is not about engaging in a battle we cannot win; it’s about walking in the victory that Jesus has already won. By putting Jesus first, fleeing from youthful lusts, living with integrity, setting our minds on things above, and staying grounded in the Word and Spirit, we can navigate spiritual warfare effectively.
Let’s commit to these principles, fostering unity within our communities, and living lives that reflect the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can experience lasting deliverance, freedom, and the fullness of God’s blessings.
Finally
Spiritual warfare and deliverance are essential aspects of our Christian walk. By understanding and applying biblical principles, we can avoid misconceptions and strange practices, focusing instead on the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Let’s strive to put Jesus first, live with integrity, and set our minds on things above, walking in the victory He has already won for us. Together, we can foster a community of transparency, unity, and genuine spiritual growth, reflecting God’s love and power to the world.