VICTORY IN CONFLICT

There is victory only in conflict.  Christians who ignore the spiritual conflict going on all around and within them are beloved by the enemy, and will experience one defeat after another until they open their eyes, pray, and resist.

FOOTHOLD

We give Satan and demonic spirits a foothold in our lives when they grab hold of our foot that's dangling over the other side of the fence.

NEW AGE PREMISE

"The New Age premise that humanity is deity, and its program to encourage such a consciousness, is a window into the soul of modern narcissism and an expression of the root sin of idolatry."
Gabriel Fackre

IDLE MIND

"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
W. V. Grant

POWER

"Power is the ability to walk away from something you desire . . . . . .
to protect something you love."
Mike Murdock

REAL SPIRITUAL WARFARE

"Real spiritual warfare requires a life of commitment, purity, and consecration."
Rick Renner

THE GROUND OF SATAN'S POWER

     ". . . . . .There was Peter's own self-strength, self-confidence.  'Lord, with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death.'  He later found out how unready, how unprepared, he was for that, but at the time it was a case of self-confidence, and that ground brought his undoing and Satan's power.  The self still alive and dominant instead of dead, put to the Cross, is the ground of Satan's power.  Not until the soul has been denied and laid down is the power of Satan destroyed and spiritual power established in the life of the child and the servant of God.  It is a question of the ground -- whether it is the world or whether it is the self (another word for the flesh) -- that determines how far Satan has power and how far we have spiritual power."

Anonymous
 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

     "Behind the facade of spiritual life there is a spiritual battle raging.  There seems to be many who are not fully aware of the warfare.  I would add to this that there are many, especially in the Western world, who are not aware that this battle is so personal and immediate.  It is personal in the sense that these spirits are real and actual personal beings, and immediate in the sense that they are imminent and involved in everyday affairs."       

 Michael Harper



GUARDING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS

     Working in a large Evangelical seminary, I'm surrounded by theological and cultural sophistication, a campus culture of "cool."  There is little discussion of Satan or the demonic, because while most professors and students will acknowledge their existence, not many seem to live or at least pray as though they are real.

     The old gospel song below is an unsophisticated expression of an ancient and simple truth, and how by faith in Christ we may live each day in victory over the enemy; but it's a victory that requires alertness, effort, and committment.  We aren't spared the devil just because we believe in Christ.

Adapted from the original text by Charlotte Elliott, 1836.

Christian, do not seek repose,

Cast your dreams of ease away,

You are in the midst of foes:

Watch and pray.

Wicked forces, evil powers,

Gather in unseen array,

They wait for your unguarded hours:

Watch and pray.

Put your heavenly armor on,

Wear it always night and day;

To defeat the evil one:

Watch and pray.

Hear, above all, hear your Lord,

Love him, serve him, and obey,

Treasure in your heart his word:

Watch and pray.

Watch, as if on that alone

Hung the issue of the day;

Pray, that victory shall be won:

Watch and pray.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/765#ixzz25jXF61q2

GOD IS THE WARRIOR, THE ONLY ONE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE SATAN AND THE DEMONIC

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

By Martin Luther

 

 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling. 
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? 
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us. 
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth. 
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.