Spiritual warfare is required by those who fully understand the requirements of fulfilling their purpose and destiny. It was required of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and others. How many times did Jesus deal with demons and men who were motivated by demonic forces? The spirits of darkness are still around and their mission is to keep each of us from fulfilling FATHER’S Divine Intent.
The spirit of death tried to attach itself to me twice during funerals in the past. I immediately prayed in THE SPIRIT for several minutes before it departed. Life was being sucked out of me both times and I knew if I didn’t immediately deal with it, I would have died right there on the spot during the funeral. I wasn’t afraid but instead was fully committed to battling this demonic spirit. I only share this to emphasize the importance of relying on The Holy Spirit in every challenge we face. I wasn’t looking for a fight, it found me.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit In 2nd Corinthians chapter 10:
2 Now I plead with you that when I come, don’t force me to take a hard line with you (which I’m willing to do) by daring to confront those who mistakenly believe that we are living by the standards of the world, not by the Spirit’s Wisdom and power. 3–4 For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with Divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide.
Paul was willing to take a hard line with those people who use manipulation to achieve their agendas. Are you? This is where it is critical for us to walk in THE SPIRIT’S Wisdom when dealing with those given over to manipulation and control. We must not allow ourselves to submit to that demonic influence and remain silent. Can one really fellowship with such a person? Their defenses must be exposed and dismantled. This is one aspect of spiritual warfare.
5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the True Knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 6 Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.
Deceptive fantasies are often given to us in dreams and some of them originate from demonic forces. Others originate through the carnal man. Either way, we are to capture and demolish them by choosing to walk in complete obedience to The Word. We must immediately cast down those thoughts, dreams, and fantasies and not allow them to develop within us. Talking about them only further empowers them and we must not allow such thoughts to be sown into our hearts and produce any bad fruit.
As we keep the True Knowledge of GOD before us at all times, we have what Paul calls the dynamic weaponry to punish any and every trace (remains, a mark, a spot, an impression) of rebellion. As we walk in Holiness, we are pure and must protect that purity by not allowing the adversary to insert any impure thought or fantasy into our hearts or minds. We must cast down every vain imagination… immediately. This is the essence of complete obedience to THE SPIRIT and The Word as mature Sons and Daughters.
Demons are assigned to watch us and focus on our words, actions, responses to situations, and other such indications of what we are entertaining. If a man or woman is flirtatious then that is the area the demon will pursue to promote rebellion. If one seeks to exalt himself in the area of intelligence, then that is the area of weakness and focus.
When the devil was tempting Jesus, he was careful to watch Jesus’ responses for he was hoping to exploit a weakness. The adversary will do the same concerning us. Some may think I am overemphasizing the need to focus on spiritual warfare. I think not. As we move toward full maturity, the demons become more desperate to thwart our full destiny.
In Matthew chapter 12, Jesus addressed spiritual warfare with the kingdom of satan:
22 Then a man was brought before Jesus who had a demon spirit that made him both blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him instantly, and he could see and talk again! 23 The crowds went wild with amazement as they witnessed this miracle. And they kept saying to one another, “Could this man be the Messiah?”
24 But when the Pharisees overheard what the people were saying about the miracle, they said, “He casts out demons by the power of Satan, the prince of demons!”
25 Now, Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts and motives, so He confronted them by telling them this parable:
“Any kingdom that fights against itself will end up in ruins. And any family or community splintered by strife will fall apart. 26 So if Satan casts out Satan, he is making war on himself. How then could his kingdom survive? 27 So if Satan empowers Me to cast out demons, who empowers your exorcists to cast them out? Go ask them, for what they do proves you’re wrong in your accusations. 28 On the other hand, if I drive out demons by the power of the Spirit of God, then the end of Satan’s kingdom has come! 29 Who would dare enter the house of a mighty man and steal his property? First he must be overpowered and tied up by one who is stronger than he. Then his entire house can be plundered and every possession stolen.
30 “So join with Me, for if you’re not on My side you are against Me. And if you refuse to help Me gather the spoils, you are making things worse. 31 This is why I warn you, for God will forgive people for every sin and blasphemy they have committed except one. There is no forgiveness for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 32 If anyone speaks evil of Me, the Son of Man, he can be forgiven; but if anyone contemptuously speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will never be forgiven, now or ever!”
Jesus made it abundantly clear that there are two kingdoms at hand and He also decisively warned everyone that they are either with Him or they are against Him. There are no exceptions. We are not to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. The Holy Spirit has been given to us to direct us into all aspects of our Divine destiny so let us fully embrace the Words of Jesus and no longer allow the kingdom of darkness to have any empowerment or expansion in our area of influence.