Spiritual Warfare – Weapons of a Believer

A believer who walks with God, walks in between the seen and the unseen. He/she represents God’s hand and works in partnership with God in the projects of God for humanity. Satan who fell from heaven (Isaiah 14:12) constantly works like a roaring lion to see whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is the enemy of everything that is on God’s side. But we are not without supernatural & divine assistance. Jesus who has already won the battle on the cross promised us that we are already victorious through Him and that we are more than conquerors.

However by being a Christian by name or birth does not guarantee you the power of God. Just like keeping a Bible under the pillow does not protect you from attacks in the night. A Bible can be purchased in the bookstore but the holiness in it is not for sale. The words and the power come to life only when we work with God as He intended for us to do.

The Bible helps us understand the dark invisible forces that work even today through the following passage. In Ephesians 6:10-12, Apostle Paul in his letter to Ephesian Church says, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” (AMP)

Paul goes on to give us the solution that is available for all those who have received the power of the Holy Spirit. [Read more about the power of the Holy Spirit here.] It is essential that we fight the battle with the complete armour of God which will help us resist and stand our ground against the works of the enemy.

The armour includes the following according to Ephesians 6:13-18.

The Belt of Truth – You need to be firmly girded in the truth in the word of God; founded strongly on the word of God.

Breastplate of Righteousness – We have no righteousness of our own. You need to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ always, denying every ungodly way of living and not letting our hearts be affected by the filth of this world.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – You should always be ready go anywhere and to anyone God sends you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, the love that redeemed you.

Shield of Faith – A walk of a believer is not a walk of sight but by faith. We should not respond to our circumstances in the natural but by faith in the God who called you. Your faith in Jesus will shield you from the fiery darts that the devil shoots at you.

Helmet of Salvation – The helmet for your mind, it should be firm with the knowledge of your salvation and who you are in Christ because you are saved in order to avoid thoughts that give a foothold to the devil. [See a post by Tiny Mathew on the Strongholds of Mind]

Sword of the Spirit – is the Word of God – Be well-versed both, in memory and at heart, with the Word of God in order to attack the enemy every time he comes against you. Read the Word of God with all your heart because Jesus is the Word of God. Obeying the Word of God is obeying Jesus Himself!

Praying at All Times – You have to remain in touch with your headquarters in Heaven all the time for directions. Prayer is your connection with God.

Here are three more weapons that cause the enemy to tremble and flee from a child of Jesus.

The Mighty Name of Jesus: The Bible says in Philippians 2:10,11 “That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This name is the right of every child of Jesus. Jesus promised his disciples that if you believe, you can cast out demons, and heal the sick; all that in His name.

The Blood of Jesus: Hebrews 12:24, reminds us that the blood of Jesus speaks for us. In our unworthiness, it is the blood of Jesus that washes away all our sins. And when the Father from heaven looks down He sees the blood of His begotten Son on us crying out for mercy. It is this blood that was paid as a ransom to buy us from the slavery of sin. The blood of Jesus speaks on behalf of us. The enemy in hell shivers at the very mention of the blood of Jesus. Take time each day to cover yourself and your family and all that belongs to you in the blood of Jesus.

The Testimony of the Saints: The word of our testimony is another great tool in overcoming the enemy. When you remember what God has done in your past, you will remember that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Bible says in Revelation 12:11, “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

It is important that we testify of what God has already done in our lives. Your confessions carry the power to destroy your life or build it up. Hence be careful with every word you speak and make godly and word based confessions over yourself and family.

Now go exercise the power and the authority that you have through Christ Jesus, because Jesus said, “Fear not, for I am with you“(Isaiah 41:10). For it is not you but the Holy Spirit working through you. Get ready for great celebration and mighty victories! Don’t forget to share your testimonies here of what God is doing in your life.

Question: Have a testimony of how God has worked for you in standing up on your authority as a believer? Share it with us. Discuss with the GTH community what excites you the most in walking with God.

Next in the series: Different Offices in the Church