October 16, 2018
Hello friends. Do you have days, weeks, or even months where you feel like God is trying to teach you about something? Well, God has been teaching me about spiritual warfare lately. It’s something that I never really gave much thought to until recently. It wasn’t until I realized that I went through a spiritual battle earlier this summer that it really began to make sense. And, it only occurred to me very recently that the battle isn’t over. I mean, the Bible says that it doesn’t stop so I don’t know why I thought that it was over and done with after this summer. It seems that most of the sermons that I’ve heard in the past two weeks on the radio, through podcasts, on Facebook, or at church have had some sort element that mentioned spiritual warfare. And, not that long ago I thought to myself that I hardly ever hear anything preached about spiritual warfare. I don’t believe in coincidences; so, I began to think that God was trying to tell me something.
I feel like the devil has been trying to creep back in and tell me more lies and create doubt. I think it was God’s way of telling me to stay on guard. Ephesians 6:10-20 teaches us about the Armor of God and how to battle the adversary, the devil. I’ve actually done some more reading about what it means to put on the whole armor of God. I’m so thankful that God has given us His written Word so that we have something to hold and read as many times as we need to or would like to. Not only that, I’m glad that God has put some of the same instructions and promises throughout the Bible more than once. Some of us need more reminding than others (I’m one of them).
Sometimes when I feel like I’m being targeted the only thing that makes me feel better is praying God’s Word out loud back to Him. I know that the Bible tells us that the devil can’t stand it and has to flee at the mention of Jesus’ name. When I first began doing this it felt a little unnatural but at the same time I felt better. It’s still not completely natural for me; but, it’s gotten a lot easier. I feel more empowered using the name of Jesus knowing that the Holy Spirit is hard at work doing battle on my behalf.
Some people may find parts of the Bible harder to believe than others – like the devil and spiritual warfare. But, if that’s you then let me encourage to believe all of it. Otherwise, how exactly do you go about determining what is true and what isn’t? You either believe it all or you don’t. If you’re having trouble then pray and ask God to help you to believe His Word.
There are also people who find it hard to believe all of God’s promises that are in the Bible. While I’ve always believed in the Bible I’ll say that I didn’t always give as much thought to some areas of His Word as I did others. But, in the past three months God has really used this time in my life to show me more of Himself and to lead me to believe in His promises. It’s required me to have faith like a child and not to analyze everything to the point of confusion… and, to not lean on my own understanding. It’s been quite the experience. I’m currently in the situation of having pure faith. It’s an all-in sort of faith… and, if I’m honest… it makes me nervous at times because it doesn’t make sense when I start to think about it in detail. I have to stop and remind myself that worrying or analyzing things isn’t going to change anything; it’s only going to make me feel worse. Having control of my life is/was a big issue in my life until a few months ago. It’s a daily thing for me to give to God. It’s gotten a little easier to do over the past few months, but it’s still something that I can easily slip back into if I’m not careful. But, I’m trying something that I’ve never done before – putting ALL of my trust in God’s Word and waiting to see what happens. The crazy thing is that while I’ve had some really hard days that I feel more hopeful as the days pass by. It makes absolutely no sense in human terms – only by God’s terms and putting my faith in His promises. It’s scary and part of me has also wondered if those closest to me who know what I’m going through have thought what I’m doing is a bit foolish. Most of them are my family and are Christians; so, they wouldn’t think I’m crazy for believing in God’s Word, but I can also tell that they’re wondering if I’ve heard God correctly in some of the things that I’ve told them. I’ve wondered the same thing myself at times. It’s a good thing they don’t know all of my thoughts – ha ha! But, then I go back to God’s Word and believing His promises. It’s been an interesting journey so far. I’ve had good days and bad days. The thing is, I’ve tried it my way and it’s not worked. So, I’m trying it God’s way now. Too bad I didn’t start with that. Live and learn; right?
Which is why I think that the devil is fighting me so hard. He must know that there is something good right around the corner and that God will get the glory for it! So, I’m trying to live my life by holding on to the promises that God has offered to us in the Bible. I don’t believe in name it and claim it either… our prayers have to match the will of God. The thing is, depending on what it is that you’re praying for, that can be a wide-open field that God is just waiting for you to ask Him about. The Bible says in James 4:2-3 that, “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,” (NIV).
There are a few verses that give us the ability to go to God and ask Him for almost anything, but I’ll just mention 1 John 5: 14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” It doesn’t get much clearer than that… and yet, at the same time, that much leeway can be confusing. I had to read that verse a few times before it sunk it. Basically, if what we ask is according to the will of God then He is willing to answer our prayers. That’s a huge opening where prayer is concerned. That led me to question what the will of God really is.
Depending on your situation and what’s on your heart, there may or may not be something specific about it in the Bible. For me and my current situation I haven’t found much on God’s will and the direction I should seek. He has provided some guidance, but not a whole lot as far as I can tell. So, when I can’t find out something specific as to what God’s will is in a particular area I go back to His general will for the lives of believers. I’m weighing my situation against what I know to be true according to God’s will and going from there. If I don’t see anything about it and the Holy Spirit doesn’t convict my heart against it in prayer then I know that I’m free to ask God about what’s on my heart and mind.
And, there’s the rub… so much freedom in prayer can sometimes lead to a little bit of doubt when we are asked to wait for God’s answers to our prayers. There’s not much that I’ve found in the Bible concerning God’s will as far as His timing in answering our prayers – other than His timing is perfect. So, my friend, don’t give the devil a foothold and start doubting! Stay on guard, keep the faith, and stand strong! Stay steady in the Whole Armor of God! I’ve struggled with this, but it’s easier now than it was a couple of months ago. I have to believe that I’ll say the same thing in a few months from now.
I don’t feel like I’ve really given justice to talking about the full Armor of God. I think I’ll have to come back and revisit this another time. Meanwhile, take time to read about what the Bible says concerning it and then pray! Jesus has already won the battle and if He is living in us then He will enable us to do the same! It’s a daily battle and some days are harder than others. Stay strong and keep fighting!
God Bless and we’ll talk again soon,
Penelope G.