theinspiredhillbilly

Thank you for joining for this very important series of articles regarding Spiritual Warfare.  If you enjoy this series, you might also enjoy our earlier article regarding Spiritual Strongholds.  Click here to read “Strongholds vs. Truth”.

As we take a look at the world around us, especially within our nation of the United States, it is very obvious to anyone with any discernment to see that we are living in a day unlike any other we’ve ever known.  It’s obvious to see the moral decay of our society overall, but if one adds to that the rapid decline of our government, and additionally our economic state; there is no doubting that we are in a world full of trouble.

Now, let me say, I’m not someone who sees a demon under every leaf, and an angel around every corner, but I am fully aware that the fight of our life that we seem to be in within our nation is more than just the surface level fight of politics and economics.  There is a strong underlying current for all of it.  This nation that was founded on Christian values, for the call of Religious freedom, and an obvious vision given by God, is under attack by a stronger underlying Spiritual depravity that is taking hold in our nation.

Then add to that the personal battles that it seems we hear about daily.  So many people, especially within the church seem to be battling more than ever.  The oppression of fear, anger, temptation and even depression is seemingly all around us.  We have never lived in a time like we do now that even hope seems to be a rare resource to have in our possession, and even harder to keep.

And all of this is in keeping with the Biblical prophecies of what our world would look like in the last days.  The Apostle Paul wrote warning us that “all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” and that “evil men and seducers shall wax (grow) worse and worse.”  So it should be no surprise to any of us that life is going to be more challenging for all of us, especially those of us that name the name of Jesus.

But there is strength, hope and encouragement for us in this spiritual battle that we face.  There is hope in this struggle and the Word of God provides insight, direction and instruction in how we can not only overcome the fight of this spiritual battle we face daily, but how we can also obtain victory.

The very first thing we must do is take a stand.  Read what the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church at Ephesus…

“finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
 - Ephesians – 6:10-13 –

Now I realize this is a very familiar scripture and that many of you are thinking, “Wow, you’re not telling me anything I haven’t heard before.  I need to put on the armor of God, big whoop.”  But friends, take a closer look at the Scriptures.

Paul is telling us, yes, this is a spiritual battle you are in.  You’re not fighting people or one another; you are fighting an enemy that is attached to the very curse that was placed within the flesh of man in the Garden of Eden.  And Paul tells us in this battle that the very basis of our beginning to fight is to take a stand.  As a matter of fact, before we put any armor on, we are told to take a stand.

Are you aware that the way that a Roman soldier’s armor was attached, it is unable for him to put on the armor at all while lying down, crouching and hiding, or in a kneeling position?  Paul realized this, and used the example of a Roman soldier’s battle armor in this Scripture to give an illustration the church would be very familiar with.  And Paul knew that no piece of armor could even be placed on that soldier until he stood up.

So this week, it’s a simple lesson in our series regarding Spiritual Bondage and Warfare, but it’s the very fiber upon which our victory is based… YOU MUST STAND UP.

The time of us being the victims that the enemy has convinced us that we are is over.  The time of us being held captive to rampant thoughts of sin and negativity must come to an end.  The time of us being held directed by emotions of fear and anxiety must cease and now we must take hold of that which we know God has done in our lives and take a stand over the enemy of our soul.

We must stand up, and place our feet solidly on the ground of the Word of God, and let the enemy know, we are no longer being pushed back to our past, our fears, and our hurts, but we are no standing against him, ready to put on our armor for battle, and ready to win this fight.

Child of God, realize this; you will never be able to win the battle of your mind, emotions, and every other aspect of your life unless you stand firm and take a stand for yourself and your walk with God.  The strongholds that must be loosed in your life will never let go, until you determine you’re tired of being the “whipping boy” of the Devil, and you’re ready to walk in the fulfillment of who you are in Christ.  Child of God, take your stand.

Join us next week for our next installment as we examine every piece of armor.  I think you might be surprised at some information you will be given regarding this very familiar scripture.