SPIRITUAL BATTLES YOU SHOULD NOT FIGHT AS A CHRISTIAN

What are spiritual battles?

Most of us are familiar with the term "spiritual battles" ,so I won't spend much of our time defining this. I would rather throw more light on it from my own perspective.

Spiritual battle is usually referred to someone engaging in warfares, confrontations, fights, struggles, etc against powers and forces of darkness by prayer and fasting, inorder to overcome hindrances and oppositions and live a victorious life.

Having said that, let's ask ourselves this question; are spiritual battles real?

Yes, they are real. Spiritual battles exist and alot of Christians spend a good amount of time, some even spend their entire lives fighting battles and that brings me to the purpose of writing this book.

Another question we should examine is; what does the bible say about engaging in spiritual battles or warfare?

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This passage makes it very clear that indeed spiritual battles exist and as Christians, we are continually encountering such battles as we journey through life. Jesus, who is our Lord and saviour fought battles while here on earth and one of such is where He was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Jesus fought this battle and overcame by standing in His place of authority and using the word of God. He knew who He was and had no time to engage in unnecessary discussion with the devil. For each attack, He used the word of God to triumph.

Unlike Eve in the bible,when tempted forgot she was placed in a higher authority than the devil and should not have given room for unnecessary discussions. All she needed to do was to put an abrupt end to the devil's gimmicks by simply answering God said DO NOT EAT THIS FRUIT, PERIOD. Am not interested why I shouldn't eat, all that matters here is GOD SAID!

Unfortunately some Christians today are still behaving like Eve. They rely so much on lengthy prayers and fasting, rather than stand in their place of authority as believers and use the word of God just as Jesus did.

As a Christian, your place of authority is in Christ, meaning it's no longer you fighting these battles but Christ, because He had already conquered the devil and his cohorts thousands of year ago and that victory was credited to you and I. So, when dealing with the devil, do it from that standpoint of victory, don't negotiate or beg. Your place of authority in Christ, makes you operate from a higher level than the enemy. Remember Ephesians 2:6 (KJV), it says :

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

So what are those battles Christians should not fight?

1. Territorial Battles.

Territorial battles are those battles Christians engage in to secure or claim possession of their environment or territory.

This is one of those battles I would encourage Christians not to engage in based on the following scripture:

Psalm 24:1- The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

The whole World and all that you find inside belongs to God. As a child of God, your portion has been allocated to you, so there is no need to drag possession of your environment with the devil. Locate it, dwell there and take charge. The problem with many Christians is that they go to where God has not assigned to them and want to forcefully posses it. They say the violent taketh it by force. Yes, I totally agree with you, but please discover God's purpose for your life and stay in that plan. Is it God's will for you to dwell in that particular place? Did He ask you to go and take it by force? If you cannot answer these questions with a simple yes or no, then you are already starting or engaging in a battle you should not.

2. Battles against witches and wizards.

Many Christians have taken it upon themselves to kill all the witches and wizards in their father's compound through prayers. Some have been praying these prayers or fighting this battle for years, yet those witches and wizards are still alive. Some may have died, but has your situation changed since their death? God has not assigned that battle to you. He is still in the business of fighting your battles, while you hold your peace.

Your primary concern as a Christian, is to be in the right standing with God. When you focus your time and energy in doing that which pleases the Lord, then He Himself will take up your battles of witches and wizards and fight for you.

What are does things that please the Lord?

Know who you are in the Lord and discover God's purpose for your life.

Pursue that purpose and fulfil it.

Hear what God is saying concerning your life and adhere to it.

Stay away from sin and the things that lure you into it.

Consecrate yourself to the Lord.

Christians should learn to discover their purposes here on earth in time. The earlier you know who you are and your God given assignment, the less likely you will engage in battles the Lord has not asked you to. The major reason why Christians are fighting battles they should not is because they have identity crises. God called you to be Teacher, but you said no, doctor it is for me. When issues arise, please who will fight for you? It is true that even in your God chosen career you may experience some hindrances but because you obeyed God and followed the path He chose, a simple prayer from you is enough to solve such problems.

1 John 3:22 says, “And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey and do the things that please him.”

3. Marital Battles.

Today, we have many failed marriages and dysfunctional families, and sadly the numbers are increasing by the day. People don't believe they should spend time and seek God's face concerning who to marry. They believe physical attraction and chemistry is all they need in a man or woman to decide whether to go into marriage with the person or not. Choosing your marriage partner goes beyond the physical, it's a spiritual matter that needs to be handled with utmost care and seriousness. Otherwise, one will spend the major part of their married life fighting battles. Once you get it wrong with the choice of a partner, then be rest assured that marriage will birth many avoidable battles. Also, note that getting married to an unbeliever is a recipe for marital turbulence, because the believer has light in him or her while that unbeliever is engulfed in darkness. These two do not mix.

When choosing a marriage partner, let God lead not your flesh or family influence. Many are getting married today for selfish ambitions. Some for political influence, some for wealth and good life, some for fame, etc. Only a few are settling down in marriage, in accordance with God's purpose and plans for their lives. If you obey God and follow His choice for your marriage, you are laying the right foundation for your home. Whenever there are issues in your marriage, you know who to call on, God. He will always answer because He orchestrated that marriage and will not forsake you.

4. Battles against suffering and hardship.

No one wants to suffer in life, we all came to enjoy this life and enjoy it to the fullest. True. Hold on a bit, and ask yourself this question, how was the life of Jesus while on earth? Was it all rosy? No. In our Christian race, Jesus never promised us a hassle free life. There will be moments of joy, laughter, wealth, etc and there will also be moments of sorrow, hardship and suffering, etc. You can't shy away from this truth. The book of Romans 8:17-18 (NIV) says :

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us".

For every Christian, there is a phase for trials and tribulations. It's only a phase, it won't last forever, so don't start binding and casting, only pray for grace to sail through victoriously. This is the moment to tell Jesus, I love you,despite what I am passing through. Some people love Jesus only for the blessings they can receive from Him. In times of difficulties, they no longer want to be identified with Him.

The important thing to note here is, do you know what phase you are right now in your life? Is this your moment of trials? Is this the time to endure and suffer with Jesus, so you can also share in His glory? If yes, then relax and pray for grace so you can pass this test of faith gallantly. There is no need to engage in any spiritual battles, just trust God to usher you into your glory at the appointed time. Jeremiah 29: 11 (KJV) says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

5. Battles against satanic strongholds.

A stronghold is a building or other structure that is safe from attack. A fortress is a perfect example of a stronghold.

Demonic powers can also form a stronghold using your thoughts, beliefs and imaginations. They hide behind these thoughts of yours to wage war against you. Before you engage in any spiritual battles against satanic strongholds, search your heart first and evaluate your thought pattern concerning your life. Some people have barricaded themselves with so many erroneous beliefs and thoughts that are contrary to God's words concerning their lives, as Christians.

Alot of people attribute every negative occurrence in their lives to satan. Even when it's plainly a case of inaptitude, negligence, lack of seriousness, etc. You blame the devil for failing your exams, when you spent the whole time praying instead of reading. Please strike a balance. Pray but at the same time dedicate enough time for reading as well. Don't give glory to satan over what he never caused, and by so doing, you are unconsciously forming a stronghold for satan and his cohorts to continually bombard your exams with attacks.

Stop focusing on the devil when you encounter problems in life, rather let Jesus be your focal point. The more you attribute your problems to the devil, the more power you relinquish to him. You simply acknowledge him as master over your life rather than Jesus.

To pull down satanic strongholds in your life, you require a change of thought patterns not spiritual battles and warfares. Feed on the word of God and believe what it says, not what your mind or the circumstances surrounding you are projecting. Take charge of your thoughts as written in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV);

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ".

Learn to talk to God as your friend and father, discuss with Him on a daily basis and build a lasting relationship with Him. Have that confidence that He is always there for you and ever willing to pull you out of that situation, if only you will start focusing and believing in Him. Learn how to hear from Him so He can direct your path.