This week, we continue Pastor Richard's inspiring and practical teaching on Spiritual Warfare. If you've missed any of the previous lessons, do go back and read them right here on our blog page.
Last week we looked at the battle space and how it is in your mind! The battle is between your ears. This is a hugely important thing to understand. The devil's greatest weapon, in fact his only weapon, is to get you to believe his lies. He wants to keep your bondage in deception. But did you know that the devil actually has zero power over you, other than what you give him? That's right. The only way the devil can get you to do anything, feel anything, experience anything, is to get you to believe his lies. So, don't!
I know, if only it were that simple right?!
So, how do we win in spiritual warfare? That's what we want to talk about today. Colossians 2:1-15 is a very powerful and helpful passage of scripture. It's a long passage for a blog like this, but it's important that we read it. So, let's do that.
Colossians 2:1-15 (KJV)
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Wow! What a passage of scripture! Victory in spiritual warfare comes when we understand who we are in Christ and what He’s done for us. We are no longer separated from Him. We are no longer under the law, there is no cloud of judgement over us. We are righteous in Him. We have died to our old man, our sinful nature is dead and gone and we’ve been raised up together with Him in a new life. We are in Jesus now, over and above every principality and power and devil that’s ever been or ever will be. We have Jesus’ total and complete victory over all satanic forces. we have everything that we need in this life. You see, we operate in spiritual warfare from victory, not for victory.
Ephesians 2:4-6 says this; But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Where are you right now? In your body, you're in America, or England, or whatever country you're in. But where are YOU? The real you! The spiritual you that will exist long after your flesh has died and turned to dust. You are seated with Christ in heavenly places! You see, there is no time or space or distance in the spirit realm and in reality, we are connected to Jesus! Our spirit’s are actually in Jesus, seated on the throne of heaven. That's incredible!
Christ is in you! And you are in Him. You don’t have to worry or fear that you’re going to lose. We have already won. The victory has already been provided for you above any circumstance the devil can throw at you. The battle has already been won and now it's our job to enforce that victory. We do not have to worry or fear that we’re going to lose. We are not going to lose. We have already won!
The only defeat that’s possible is what you let happen. The reality is, that your victory has already been provided over those circumstances. Jesus’ Name is above every other name. What are you facing in life? The Name of Jesus has already secured that victory for you. So when you come to a problem, come from victory, not trying to get victory. That's a mindset change for many of us, isn't it? Again, Romans 12:1-2 comes into play. We must renew our minds brothers and sisters to the truth of God's Word so we can fight the lies of the devil.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 says; 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 in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
We think that the battle is out there somewhere. It's not! It's in your head, like we talked about before. But we win by using spiritual weapons that are found 'mighty in God' for doing what? Pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, taking thoughts captive. The strongholds are not out there somewhere, they are in your thinking. Habitual thinking that has kept you bound up for too long needs to get broken. You need to take those thoughts captive and cast them down. Renew your mind. Repent! Change the way you think. Align your thinking with the Word of God and watch the devil run.
John 16:33 says; These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,I have overcome the world.
There may be a storm raging in your life right now, but do not be afraid. Take captive those thoughts of fear, doubt and unbelief and make them obedient to Christ Who has overcome the world. Praise God!
I hope this has been a blessing to you. If you'd like to know more about this message, Upstream Home Churches in general or if you'd like prayer, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can go to the contact page here: https://www.upstreamministries.com/contact or email us directly at hello@upstreamminisitries.com
Yours Victoriously,
Upstream Ministries
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